Noninvasive imaging at the molecular level is an emerging field in biomedical research. This paper introduces a new technology synergizing two leading imaging methodologies: positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although the value of PET lies in its high-sensitivity tracking of biomarkers in vivo, it lacks resolving morphology. MRI has lower sensitivity, but produces high soft-tissue contrast and provides spectroscopic information and functional MRI (fMRI). We have developed a three-dimensional animal PET scanner that is built into a 7-T MRI. Our evaluations show that both modalities preserve their functionality, even when operated isochronously. With this combined imaging system, we simultaneously acquired functional and morphological PET-MRI data from living mice. PET-MRI provides a powerful tool for studying biology and pathology in preclinical research and has great potential for clinical applications. Combining fMRI and spectroscopy with PET paves the way for a new perspective in molecular imaging.

31P NMR spectroscopy detects alterations of myocardial metabolism in asymptomatic patients with HCM. These alterations may contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology and natural history of the disease.

31P MRS examinations of the brain of 10 healthy volunteers were performed to determine T2 of the coupled ATP signals by use of the localized 90 degrees-TE/2-2662-TE/2-acq frequency selective spin echo sequence for elimination of phase and intensity distortions. The T2 relaxation times obtained are much longer than usually assumed: gamma-ATP: 89 +/- 9 ms; alpha-ATP: 84 +/- 6 ms; beta-ATP: 62 +/- 3 ms.

Proton decoupled 31P NMR spectroscopy of the occipital brain of healthy volunteers was performed with a 1.5 T whole-body imager. By use of two-dimensional chemical-shift imaging in combination with slice-selective excitation well resolved localized spectra (38 ml) were obtained within 34 min from which the homonuclear 31P-31P J-coupling constants of ATP could be determined: J(gammabeta) = 16.1 Hz +/- 0.2 Hz and J(alphabeta) = 16.3 Hz +/- 0.1 Hz (mean +/- SEM, n = 14). Both, the J-coupling constants and the chemical-shift difference between alpha- and beta-ATP (delta(alphabeta) = 8.61 ppm +/- 0.01 ppm) were used to calculate the concentration of intracellular free magnesium. The concentrations are 0.39 mM +/- 0.09 mM by using the average of both coupling constants of each spectrum, which is in fair agreement with 0.32 mM +/- 0.01 mM obtained from the chemical shift of alpha and beta phosphate resonances, which is the more accurate result.