Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and Amide Proton Transfer-Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer for the Evaluation of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Model

This study aimed to evaluate an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) model using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) with preclinical 7T-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and determine the potential of amide proton transfer-CEST (APT-CEST) for use as a biomarker for the early detection of ICH. Six Wistar male rats underwent MRI, and another six underwent histopathological examinations on postoperative days 0, 3, and 7. The ICH model was created by injecting bacterial collagenase into the right hemisphere of the brain. QSM and APT-CEST MRI were performed using horizontal 7T-MRI. Histological studies were performed to observe ICH and detect iron deposition at the ICH site. T2-weighted images (T2WI) revealed signal changes associated with hemoglobin degeneration in red blood cells, indicating acute-phase hemorrhage on day 0, late-subacute-phase hemorrhage on day 3, and chronic-phase hemorrhage on day 7. The susceptibility alterations in each phase were detected using QSM. QSM and Berlin blue staining revealed hemosiderin deposition in the chronic phase. APT-CEST revealed high magnetization transfer ratios in the acute phase. Abundant mobile proteins and peptides were observed in early ICH, which were subsequently diluted. APT-CEST imaging may be a reliable noninvasive biomarker for the early diagnosis of ICH.