Virtual Meetings

Cardiac MRI has seen remarkable advancements with ongoing innovation in clinical applications and technical developments. Recent efforts have focused on improving the speed and robustness of imaging through accelerated acquisitions, deep learning-based reconstructions and AI-powered workflows, low-field MRI solutions, as well as novel contrast-enhanced and non-contrast-enhanced imaging techniques, among many others. Clinically, cardiac MRI is expanding its impact, particularly in the fields of heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and congenital conditions. This virtual meeting will explore the latest breakthroughs and future directions in cardiac MRI, fostering discussion on how these innovations are shaping the future of cardiac MRI.

This virtual meeting will explore the latest advancements in how functional brain networks can be studied using pharmacological fMRI approaches. The event will feature two speakers who will discuss cutting-edge methodologies and applications that integrate molecular, functional, and dynamic aspects of brain activity.

The first presentation will delve into cortical dynamics and connectivity across multiple scales and modalities in various states of altered consciousness. The speaker will discuss their research on brain connectivity during anesthesia, sleep, and disorders of consciousness, as well as under the influence of psychedelics such as LSD. By integrating data from different imaging modalities, including fMRI, with information theory, network science, and whole-brain computational modeling, the presentation will explore how brain networks reconfigure and adapt across different states, offering a comprehensive view of the underlying mechanisms that govern conscious and unconscious states.

The second presentation will mainly focus on the Receptor-Enriched Analysis of Functional Connectivity by Targets (REACT) method. REACT is a molecular-informed functional imaging approach that enhances traditional resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) analyses by incorporating data on the distribution and density of neuroreceptors throughout the brain. This method enables researchers to investigate how pharmacological interventions and drugs impact functional connectivity (FC) by linking receptor distribution to changes in brain networks. For instance, REACT has been used to study the effects of MDMA on serotonin circuits, methylphenidate (MPH) on dopaminergic and noradrenergic circuits, and propofol on GABAergic transmission and consciousness. Through these examples, the speaker will demonstrate how this approach can provide valuable insights into the neurochemical underpinnings of different functional states.

This meeting will be an excellent opportunity for researchers and clinicians interested in multimodal neuroimaging, pharmacology, and consciousness studies to gain insights into innovative approaches that bridge molecular, functional, and dynamic aspects of brain research.

This is a session on advancing synthetic data in MRS research. We will explore key aspects of synthetic MRS data, from foundational methods and the importance of simulation to practical machine learning applications in the proton MR spectroscopy workflow. Our speakers will discuss what has been accomplished so far, application examples, and remaining challenges. The session will conclude with updates from the Synthetic Data Working Group on recent progress and future directions.

This virtual meeting will focus on the role of PET/MR in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD). PET/MR imaging is critical in AD/ADRD research and care by providing both functional and structural insights. Dr. Benzinger will discussing how PET and MRI are used to assess amyloid and tau burden, identify patients for monoclonal antibody therapy, and monitor treatment responses. Dr. Fu will focus on evaluating tau PET kinetics and early-phase imaging to enhance the detection of preclinical AD.

During the recent EMTP 2024 workshop in Chile, we had several discussion sessions on the latest QSM consensus, as well as how to move from this consensus towards its clinical adoption and our next EMTP study group initiative. Through these discussions and polls among workshop attendees, several important topics and directions have been identified. In this virtual meeting, we aim to disseminate and continue these conversations within the study group, providing an opportunity for members who could not attend the workshop to engage. We will begin with a summary of the workshop and an overview of the discussions on QSM consensus, future goal, and challenges. Following that we will discuss some specific topics identified as critical:

• Clinical values of QSM, DBS as an example (Pascal Spincemaille, Ph.D.)
• Next QSM consensus on clinical applications (Yi Wang, Ph.D.)
• Assessing and Improving QSM Reproducibility (Andreas Deistung, Ph.D.)
• QSM artifacts, normative QSM values & atlases, unmet clinical needs (Karin Shmueli, Ph.D., Patrick Fuchs, Ph.D. & Mattew Cherukara, Ph.D.)
• Forming a working group to assess vendor developments in QSM (Simon Robinson, Ph.D.)
• QSM Harmonization (Berkin Bilgic, Ph.D.)
• Standardized data sharing (Ashley Stewart, Ph.D.)

Additionally, we will provide an update on recent efforts to achieve a EPT consensus. We will also have brief presentations from new study group committee member candidates.

Quantitative imaging has been a research reality for many years and has demonstrated conspicuous successes across many fields of MRI. Through sequence and software development, most systems provide measures of relaxation rates, diffusivities, chemical compositions, flow fields, tissue volumes, tissue structure and microstructure, and many other quantities, all of which have huge potential clinical and research benefits.

Fully realizing these benefits is enormously challenging, however, and quantitative MRI frequently struggles with reproducibility between different scanners and sites. Fully quantitative comparability between different studies and datasets is also sometimes challenging. Standardization in MRI approaches has been the main strategy towards this goal, but it has also been difficult since the complexity of acquisitions and processing can make it hard to achieve consensus or subsequent uptake. These challenges are not unique, however, and fortunately for MRI, the experience of specialists in other medical imaging fields and measurement science can offer a potential way through this maze.

This workshop lays out the current situation and challenges towards the goal of full realization of the benefits of quantitative MR imaging. It will show where we are versus where we’d like to be for full, reliable quantification of MR measurands. Reporting and QA procedures will be discussed, and details on how this has already been achieved in quantitative ultrasound imaging will be provided. A further aim is to discuss approaching consensus on reporting standards for quantitative MRI and to identify QA processes to be recommended for workers in the field to ensure the results are as reliable and reproducible as possible.