Demystifying Biomedical MR Spectroscopy:
Challenges, Advanced Concepts, and Applications

John Kurhanewicz, Klaas Nicolay, Organizers


Sunday 7 May, 08:00 - 15:15

Overview:
The first half of this one-day course will cover the fundamental principles behind and the technical aspects of state-of-the-art in vivo and ex vivo MR spectroscopic techniques. The second half will be devoted to the application of these techniques to biomedical questions, with a focus on the advantages and pitfalls. The expert speakers will draw clear and straightforward conclusions about both the potential and limitations of the spectroscopic techniques, and their application to biomedical questions. Each presentation will end with a concise summary and 5 minutes for questions from the audience.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
• Describe the basic principles on which advanced applications of MR spectroscopy are based;
• List state-of-the-art techniques used for in vivo and ex vivo applications of MR spectroscopy;
• Recognize both the potential and limitations of advanced in vivo and ex vivo MRS acquisition techniques;
• Summarize recent biomedical research activities involving advanced in vivo MRS; and
• Summarize recent biomedical research activities involving advanced ex vivo MRS.

Audience Description:
This course is designed for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, as well as clinicians and MR technologists interested in the application of in vivo and ex vivo advanced spectroscopic techniques to biomedical questions. Most participants will have had some prior knowledge of MR spectroscopy. It will be suitable for basic and clinical scientists with an interest in in vivo and/or ex vivo spectroscopy.