Imagens de AVC de Nova Geração com Ressonância Magnética por Tensor de Correlação

NG-STROKE aims to confront significant challenges in stroke diagnostics and management, venturing beyond current state-of-the-art methodologies through our innovative CTI methodology. Each objective not only advances our understanding and application of CTI but also fosters development across disciplines, promising to impact broader biomedical fields. Objective 1: Histological Validation of CTI Specificity for Stroke Mechanisms. This objective will be tackled using ex vivo animal models of stroke. CTI data will be acquired using the specialized preclinical 16.4T scanner at Champalimaud Foundation (CF) (Task 1) and CTI metrics’ histological validation will be performed using the confocal microscopes of CF’s histopathology platform (Task 2). This objective will clarify the CTI-histological metric relationship, guiding CTI interpretations for subsequent objectives 3 and 4 and serving as a reference for future stroke-related dMRI studies. Additionally, it has the potential to impact research on conditions with altered tissue microstructure and edema, like cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, thereby enhancing global patient outcomes. Objective 2: Development of a Rapid and Robust CTI Protocol for In Vivo Application. Here, we will implement CTI protocols for rapid acquisition (Task 3) and sequences that are more resistant to physiological artifacts (Task 4) on the CF's preclinical 9.4T MRI scanner, which is ideally suited for in vivo studies. This step is crucial for facilitating subsequent in vivo studies within the project (objectives 3 and 4) and addressing the pressing clinical need for quicker, more efficient imaging solutions. This development meets the urgent need for faster imaging in clinics, enhancing the accessibility of advanced diagnostics in practical settings. Objective 3: Assessing CTI’s Predictive Value for Stroke Evolution and Functional Outcomes. To tackle this objective we will longitudinally follow the evolution of ischemic stroke lesions using in vivo acquisitions in CF’s preclinical 9.4T MRI scanner (Task 5) and simultaneously conducting behavioral assessments (Task 6). Determining CTI's capacity to predict stroke progression and recovery outcomes is crucial for its future integration into stroke management protocols. This objective is ambitious in its aim to leverage CTI for prognostication, potentially guiding treatment decisions and improving patient trajectories. It underscores the project's broader ambition to shift from mere diagnosis to a more holistic approach in patient care, emphasizing the predictive and functional aspects of imaging in medicine. Objective 4: Creating a Vendor-Agnostic CTI Sequence for Broad Clinical Adoption. Our goal is to develop an open-source CTI sequence, unlike proprietary advanced dMRI sequences from major MRI vendors, enabling universal deployment in both research and clinical environments (Task 7). We will assess the reproducibility of this sequence in healthy volunteers using at least two clinical MRI scanners (Task 8) and plan to apply CTI in human stroke patients for the first time (Task 9). This objective advances inclusive, state-of-the-art healthcare technologies by making CTI accessible on various MRI platforms. Collaborating with radiologists, we aim to seamlessly integrate technological innovation with clinical practice, showcasing our project's interdisciplinary nature and dedication to democratizing sophisticated diagnostic tools for widespread access.