osen, Bruce, and Lawrence Wald, HST.584J Magnetic Resonance Analytic, Biochemical, and Imaging
Techniques, Spring 2006. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare),
http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 09 Jul, 2010). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
An MRI image of a human brain. (Image courtesy of the A. A. Martinos Center.)
Course Highlights
This course features extensive course notes and papers in the readings section, as well as complete
assignments with solutions.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to basic NMR theory. Examples of biochemical data obtained using NMR
are summarized along with other related experiments. Students participate in detailed study of NMR
imaging techniques, including discussions of basic cross-sectional image reconstruction, image contrast,
flow and real-time imaging, and hardware design considerations. Exposure to laboratory NMR
spectroscopic and imaging equipment is included.
Syllabus
This spring term course is designed for graduate (or advanced undergraduate) students and research
scientists with an interest in how nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques can be used to provide
information of value to biological scientists and physicians. The course will introduce basic NMR theory,
including spectroscopic and relaxation phenomena. Examples of biochemical data obtained using NMR
will be summarized, along with other, related experiments. The course will then focus on imaging with
NMR, and include discussions of basic cross sectional image reconstruction, image contrast, flow and
real time imaging, and microscopy.
Course Requirements
Course requirements.
ACTIVITIES
PERCENTAGES
Midterm Quiz
30%
Weekly Problem Sets 60%
Class Presentation
10%
Reading
Lecture notes, journal articles and book chapters will be handed out in class to supplement the class
lectures.
Calendar
Course calendar.
SES #
TOPICS
1
Introductory Remarks, Course Requirements
KEY DATES
Introduction to NMR
Classical Model of the NMR Phenomenon
2
The Bloch Equations
Relaxation Mechanisms and Measurement
Proton Relaxation Enhancement
Effects of Magnetic Susceptibility
3
Introduction to Pulse Sequences
Review of Rotating Frame
Assignment 1 due
Spin Echos
Ernst Angle
4
Off-resonance Effects
Image Contrast (T1, T2 Weighting)
Basic NMR Spectroscopy
Chemical Shifts, J-coupling
5
Basic Pulse Sequences in Uncoupled and Coupled Systems
Image Encoding
Fourier Transforms and Properties
6
Image Resolution - Point Spread Function
Review of k-space Formalism
Assignment 2 due
Course calendar.
SES #
TOPICS
Review of Resolution and Sampling - Nyquist Rate
KEY DATES
MR Image Reconstruction
7
Gradient and RF Waveforms
Errors in Imaging (Ghosting)
Assignment 3 due
Midterm Quiz
8
9
MRI Hardware Overview
Additional Pulse Sequences
Chemical Shift Imaging and Flow Imaging Techniques
2-D and 3-D CSI
10
Time of Flight and Phase Contrast Flow Imaging
Guest Lecturer - Van Wedeen, PhD
11
Diffusion-weighted MR Techniques
Parallel Imaging
Assignment 4 due
MR Encoding Matrix Formalism
Multiple Coil Formalism
12
SMASH and SENSE
Guest Lecturer - Alan Jasanoff, PhD
Molecular Imaging Techniques
Guest Lecturer - Elfar Adalsteinsson, PhD
13
Advanced Image Reconstruction
Guest Lecturer - Robert Savoy, PhD
Assignment 5 due
14
Introduction to fMRI and Experiment Design
Class Presentations
Final Project due