Computational Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Neuro-oncology

Abstract

Molecular imaging is promising for two main reasons. First, it enables human diseases to be detected early, that is, before noticeable symptoms manifest. Second, it makes precision drug delivery possible. This technique has the potential of demonstrating changes in tissue physiology, biochemistry, and biology on image scanners. The implication of this is that we can now perform patient-specific treatment, precise follow-up after treatment, and patient monitoring using computational techniques. Noninvasive medical interventions that effectively increase physician performance in arresting or curing disease, that reduce risk, pain, complications, and reoccurrence for the patient, and that decrease healthcare costs are now within reach. What is yet required is focused reduction of recent and continuing advances in visualization technology to the level of practice, so that they can provide new tools and procedures for smarter healthcare. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most developed of all the techniques of molecular imaging, it is also unfortunately one of the most expensive diagnostic tools anywhere. It is therefore necessary to develop mathematical concepts based on the fundamental Bloch nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) flow equation for simple, cost-effective computational MRI to be used in the diagnosis and therapy of brain-related diseases at the molecular level. The rapid development of innovations including Internet of Things (IoT), big data analysis techniques, and miniature wearable biosensors is generating new opportunities for healthcare systems. Many challenges in the emerging technology can be addressed by the development of consistent, suitable, safe, flexible, and real-time healthcare systems based on the Bloch NMR flow equation. This book presents mathematical and computational concepts (generally applicable to the analysis of biological and non-biological systems) specifically applied for the analysis of brain tissues and neuro-oncology. Brain tissues can be likened to complex systems and are often dominated by large numbers of processes. When deviations occur in these processes, human disease conditions are produced. Understanding these processes is important not just in unraveling the causes of diseases, but also the manner of disease propagation and the best plan for treatment. The inadequate understanding of molecular dynamics of diseases is one reason why many diseases remain incurable and become life-threatening. Molecular MRI now provides new ways of visualizing molecular dynamics and their roles in human diseases.