Application

Web-based application for visualizing and analyzing spectroscopic MRI data (sMRI, MRSI) in diagnosing, treatment planning, and monitoring of neuropathologies such as tumor.

Key Benefits

• Enables the analysis of multiple diagnostic images simultaneously.
• Generates a heat map of metabolite (e.g., CHO/NAA) levels to better diagnose malignancies.
• Incorporates filters to eliminate visual artifacts for proper quality control and improve image quality.
• Allows for detailed analyses of spectra in specific regions of the brain.
• Generate radiation treatment target volume for better therapeutic outcome.
• Allows real-time collaboration among imaging scientists and clinicians at multiple sites.

Market Summary

Currently, sMRI is mainly used as a tool by researchers for medical research projects, but it is increasingly being looked at as a potential clinical imaging modality that can aid physicians by providing additional information that is helpful in diagnosis and treatment of disease. Traditional imaging, such as CT and MRI, enable visualization of anatomy and structural changes due to pathology (such as tumor). sMRI can provide supplemental information on tissue metabolism, which has been shown to be useful in diagnosing the stages and progression of disease, and also in targeting therapies such as radiation and surgery to regions of metabolic abnormality. Currently available software, such as MIDAS, collects MRSI data but are lacking in a number of facets that limit the usefulness of the technique and information for use in clinical management of patients. These innovations have led to new clinical applications in clinical conditions in various neurological diseases, such as brain tumor, brain metastasis, depression, traumatic brain injury and dementia.

Technical Summary

In vivo spectroscopic magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI or also known as MRSI) is an advanced analytical technique from traditional MRI/MRSI that enables the user to determine abnormal regions of brain based on metabolic abnormality without injection of contrast agent or radioisotope. Researchers from Emory University and University of Miami have developed a web-based software solution, BrICS, that calculates the metabolite levels and their ratios in the whole brain, such as choline (Cho), N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), and Cho/NAA. Cho/NAA ratio map has been show to identify the high risk area for disease recurrence.

Developmental Stage

BrICS is being used in a 3-site clinical trial (Johns Hopkins, U of Miami, and Emory) to guide the target volume with booted radiation dose in GBM (grade IV brain tumor) patients. A recent paper describing the platform was accepted to the journal Tomography.

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