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Updated: Nov 25, 2025
Registered Bioimaging of Nanomaterials for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Monitoring
Published on: December 9, 2010
Probing neural tissues at small scales: Recent progress of oscillating gradient spin echo (OGSE) neuroimaging in
1Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
Abstract:
The detection sensitivity of diffusion MRI (dMRI) is dependent on diffusion times. A shorter diffusion time can increase the sensitivity to smaller length scales. However, the conventional dMRI uses the pulse gradient spin echo (PGSE) sequence that probes relatively long diffusion times only. To overcome this, the oscillating gradient spin echo (OGSE) sequence has been developed to probe much shorter diffusion times with hardware limitations on preclinical and clinical MRI systems. The OGSE sequence has been previously used on preclinical animal MRI systems. Recently, several studies have translated the OGSE sequence to humans on clinical MRI systems and achieved new information that is invisible using conventional PGSE sequence. This paper provides an overview of the recent progress of the OGSE neuroimaging in humans, including the technical improvements in the translation of the OGSE sequence to human imaging and various applications in different neurological disorders and stroke. Some possible future directions of the OGSE sequence are also discussed.
Insights
Oscillating gradient spin echo (OGSE) enables shorter diffusion times in diffusion MRI (dMRI), revealing new insights into the brain. This technique enhances sensitivity to microstructural changes in neurological disorders and stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Diffusion MRI Physics
Background:
- Diffusion MRI (dMRI) sensitivity depends on diffusion time.
- Conventional PGSE sequences probe long diffusion times.
- Shorter diffusion times enhance sensitivity to smaller length scales.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of recent advancements in human OGSE neuroimaging.
- To discuss technical improvements and applications of OGSE in neurological disorders.
- To explore future directions for OGSE sequence development.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing oscillating gradient spin echo (OGSE) sequences.
- Translating OGSE from preclinical to clinical human MRI systems.
- Investigating technical improvements for human OGSE implementation.
Main Results:
- OGSE allows probing significantly shorter diffusion times than conventional PGSE.
- Human OGSE neuroimaging has been successfully translated to clinical systems.
- New information, invisible with PGSE, has been acquired using OGSE.
Conclusions:
- OGSE represents a significant advancement in diffusion MRI.
- OGSE offers novel applications for diagnosing and understanding neurological disorders and stroke.
- Further development of OGSE holds promise for future neuroimaging research.
