title: Encoding the frequency dependence in MRI contrast media: the emerging class of CEST agents.
abstract: CEST agents represent a very promising class of MRI contrast media as they encode a frequency dependence that is not like the classical relaxation-based agents. This peculiar property enables novel applications such as the detection of more than one agent in the same MR image as well as the set-up of ratiometric methods for the quantitative assessment of physico-chemical and biological parameters that characterize the micro-environment in which they are distributed. This survey is aimed at providing the reader with the basic properties and the potential of these compounds. Fundamental aspects, such as the theoretical basis of the saturation transfer via chemical exchange, the generation of the CEST contrast, the classification and sensitivity of CEST agents, and some representative examples displaying their potential in the field of MR-molecular imaging, are presented and discussed in detail.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry IFM and Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Torino, Italy. enzo.terreno@unito.it <enzo.terreno@unito.it>
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Terreno
authors.forename: Daniela Delli
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aime
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015335:Molecular Probes; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D015335:Molecular Probes; D014867:Water