Establishment of early diagnosis of NASH by non-contrast multiparametric MRI

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07566
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University
• Principal Investigator: Ito Katsuyoshi 山口大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 教授 (00274168)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 東 麻由美 山口大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (00838279) ; 田辺 昌寛 山口大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 准教授 (90537250)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: NASH / MRI / T1 mapping / diffusion

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aims to apply multiparametric MRI combined with Look-Locker T1 mapping using the Dixon method, which eliminates the influence of fat deposition in the liver parenchyma, and small field-of-view (FOV) high-resolution/high-contrast tilted DWI using local excitation as a screening examinations for NAFLD patients. This method will enable more detailed depiction of structures within the liver parenchyma, as well as more precise T1 values and ADC values that reflect inflammation and fibrosis in the liver parenchyma, which may be useful in understanding the progression and pathophysiology of NASH. It was estimated that this method is useful for understanding the progression and pathophysiology of NASH.

Free Research Field

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Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で用いたT1 mapping法は、脂肪成分の影響を排除した肝実質のT1値が測定でき、肝線維化の程度を反映したNASH肝の純粋なT1値の評価に有用であり、局所傾斜励起によるsmall FOV高分解能/高コントラストDWIなどと組み合わせたマルチパラメトリックMRIをNAFLD患者のサーベイランス検査として普及させ、NASHの早期診断法として臨床応用を進めていくことで、早期治療により肝線維化への進展を予防改善するとともに、基礎疾患として併存するメタボリック症候群や2型糖尿病への治療効果も期待でき、予後やQOLの改善など社会的な波及効果も期待できる。