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Wei Huang

Bio: Wei Huang is an academic researcher from Oregon Health & Science University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Magnetic resonance imaging & Population. The author has an hindex of 33, co-authored 88 publications receiving 3360 citations. Previous affiliations of Wei Huang include State University of New York System & Stony Brook University.


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TL;DR: The combined MR protocol of DCE MR imaging, 1H MR spectroscopy, and perfusion MR imaging has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Abstract: PURPOSE: To prospectively determine if a combined magnetic resonance (MR) protocol that includes T1-weighted dynamic contrast agent–enhanced (DCE) MR imaging, hydrogen 1 (1H) MR spectroscopy, and T2*-weighted perfusion MR imaging improves specificity in the diagnosis of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The combined MR imaging–MR spectroscopy protocol was performed in 50 patients after positive findings at mammography but prior to biopsy. Single-voxel proton MR spectroscopy and perfusion MR imaging were conducted only if DCE MR images showed rapid contrast enhancement in the lesion. Biopsy results were used as the reference for comparison with MR results and for calculation of sensitivity and specificity in the detection of breast malignancy. RESULTS: DCE MR imaging alone showed 100% sensitivity and 62.5% specificity. The specificity improved to 87.5% with the addition of 1H MR spectroscopy and to 100% with the further addition of perfusion MR imaging. Twenty-eight patients underwent both MR spectrosc...

221 citations

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TL;DR: Proton MR spectroscopy was successfully incorporated into breast MR imaging studies for lesions measuring 1 cm or larger and may be useful in reducing the number of lesions detected at MR imaging that require biopsy.
Abstract: Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy in patients with suspicious lesions or biopsy-proved cancers at MR imaging by using histologic findings as the reference standard. Materials and Methods: After institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained for this HIPAA-compliant study, breast MR spectroscopy was performed in patients with suspicious or biopsy-proved malignant lesions measuring 1 cm or larger at MR imaging. Single-voxel MR spectroscopy data were collected from a single rectangular volume of interest that encompassed the lesion. MR spectroscopy findings were defined as positive if the signal-to-noise ratio of the choline resonance peak was greater than or equal to 2 and as negative in all other cases. MR spectroscopy findings were then compared with histologic findings. Results: A total of 56 patients (age range, 20–77 years) with 57 lesions were imaged. The median lesion size at MR imaging was 2.3 cm (range, 1–15...

221 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review focuses on the need for QIBs in oncology applications and emphasizes the importance of the assessment of their reproducibility and repeatability.
Abstract: Physiological properties of tumors can be measured both in vivo and noninvasively by diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Although these techniques have been used for more than two decades to study tumor diffusion, perfusion, and/or permeability, the methods and studies on how to reduce measurement error and bias in the derived imaging metrics is still lacking in the literature. This is of paramount importance because the objective is to translate these quantitative imaging biomarkers (QIBs) into clinical trials, and ultimately in clinical practice. Standardization of the image acquisition using appropriate phantoms is the first step from a technical performance standpoint. The next step is to assess whether the imaging metrics have clinical value and meet the requirements for being a QIB as defined by the Radiological Society of North America's Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance (QIBA). The goal and mission of QIBA and the National Cancer Institute Quantitative Imaging Network (QIN) initiatives are to provide technical performance standards (QIBA profiles) and QIN tools for producing reliable QIBs for use in the clinical imaging community. Some of QIBA's development of quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced QIB profiles has been hampered by the lack of literature for repeatability and reproducibility of the derived QIBs. The available research on this topic is scant and is not in sync with improvements or upgrades in MRI technology over the years. This review focuses on the need for QIBs in oncology applications and emphasizes the importance of the assessment of their reproducibility and repeatability. Level of Evidence: 5 Technical Efficacy Stage: 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:e101-e121.

207 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: If a strong and stable association can be firmly established between cognitive and MR variables in appropriate subsets of MS patients, it might aid in the investigation of interventions to enhance cognition and modify the course of the disease.
Abstract: Objective: To relate neuropsychological performance to measures of cerebral injury in persons with MS selected for cognitive impairment. Methods: Participants were 37 individuals with relapsing–remitting (59.5%) and secondary progressive (40.5%) MS. They were tested at baseline as part of a clinical trial to enhance cognition with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Eligibility criteria included at least mild cognitive impairment on a verbal learning and memory task. A modified Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests formed the core of the behavioral protocol. Neuroimaging measures were central (ventricular) cerebral atrophy, lesion volume, and ratios of N -acetyl aspartate (NAA) to both creatine and choline. Results: A clear, consistent relation was found between cognitive and MR measures. Among neuroimaging measures, central atrophy displayed the highest correlations with cognition, accounting for approximately half the variance in overall cognitive performance. NAA ratios in right hemisphere sites displayed larger correlations than those on the left. Multiple regression models combining the MR measures accounted for well over half the variance in overall cognitive performance. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test was the neuropsychological task most strongly associated with the neuroimaging variables. Conclusions: If a strong and stable association can be firmly established between cognitive and MR variables in appropriate subsets of MS patients, it might aid in the investigation of interventions to enhance cognition and modify the course of the disease.

197 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The measurements with 1H-MRS of absolute metabolites concentrations in the neocortex showed abnormal concentrations of brain metabolites in AD; these metabolite concentrations do not necessarily correlate with disease severity.
Abstract: Objective: 1 H-MRS studies have shown abnormalities in brain levels of myo -inositol (mI) and N -acetyl aspartate (NAA) in AD, but the relation of these abnormalities with dementia severity was not examined. The authors sought to determine whether altered brain levels of mI and other metabolites occur in mild AD and whether they change as dementia severity worsens. Methods: The authors used 1 H-MRS with external standards to measure absolute brain concentrations of mI, NAA, total creatine (Cr), and choline (Cho)-containing compounds in 21 subjects with AD and 17 age- and sex-matched controls in occipital and left and right parietal regions. Results: Concentrations of NAA were significantly decreased, whereas mI and Cr concentrations were significantly increased in all three brain regions in subjects with AD compared with controls. Higher concentrations of mI and Cr occurred even in mild AD. A discriminant analysis of the 1 H-MRS data combined with CSF volume measurements distinguished subjects with AD, ranging from mild to severe dementia, from controls with 100% correct classification. NAA concentration, though not other metabolites, was positively correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination score. Conclusion: The measurements with 1 H-MRS of absolute metabolite concentrations in the neocortex showed abnormal concentrations of brain metabolites in AD; these metabolite concentrations do not necessarily correlate with disease severity. Although changes in myo -inositol and creatine occur in the early stages of AD, abnormalities of N -acetyl aspartate do not occur in mild AD but progressively change with dementia severity. Further, subjects with mild AD can be differentiated from controls with 1 H-MRS.

161 citations


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TL;DR: The increased use of neuroimaging techniques in patients with MS has advanced the understanding of structural and functional changes in the brain that are characteristic of this disease, although much remains to be learned.
Abstract: Summary Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the CNS that is characterised by widespread lesions in the brain and spinal cord. MS results in motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, all of which can occur independently of one another. The common cognitive symptoms include deficits in complex attention, efficiency of information processing, executive functioning, processing speed, and long-term memory. These deficits detrimentally affect many aspects of daily life, such as the ability to run a household, participate fully in society, and maintain employment—factors that can all affect the overall quality of life of the patient. The increased use of neuroimaging techniques in patients with MS has advanced our understanding of structural and functional changes in the brain that are characteristic of this disease, although much remains to be learned. Moreover, examination of efforts to treat the cognitive deficits in MS is still in the early stages.

1,707 citations

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TL;DR: Experts assembled to review, debate and summarize the challenges of IB validation and qualification produced 14 key recommendations for accelerating the clinical translation of IBs, which highlight the role of parallel (rather than sequential) tracks of technical validation, biological/clinical validation and assessment of cost-effectiveness.
Abstract: Imaging biomarkers (IBs) are integral to the routine management of patients with cancer. IBs used daily in oncology include clinical TNM stage, objective response and left ventricular ejection fraction. Other CT, MRI, PET and ultrasonography biomarkers are used extensively in cancer research and drug development. New IBs need to be established either as useful tools for testing research hypotheses in clinical trials and research studies, or as clinical decision-making tools for use in healthcare, by crossing 'translational gaps' through validation and qualification. Important differences exist between IBs and biospecimen-derived biomarkers and, therefore, the development of IBs requires a tailored 'roadmap'. Recognizing this need, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) assembled experts to review, debate and summarize the challenges of IB validation and qualification. This consensus group has produced 14 key recommendations for accelerating the clinical translation of IBs, which highlight the role of parallel (rather than sequential) tracks of technical (assay) validation, biological/clinical validation and assessment of cost-effectiveness; the need for IB standardization and accreditation systems; the need to continually revisit IB precision; an alternative framework for biological/clinical validation of IBs; and the essential requirements for multicentre studies to qualify IBs for clinical use.

758 citations