The CEST effect for various neurotransmitters and energy metabolites in the brain and muscles and various endogenous metabolites in the liver, brain, and myocardium are imaged using MR imaging to illustrate a unique CEST effect that may be used to monitor the concentration of the metabolite and hence to characterize and monitor various disease states in the body correlated to the concentration of that metabolite. By adjusting the timing, amplitude, and length of the RF pulse as well as other parameters of the CEST pulse sequence to address the unique chemical shifts and exchange rates of the target, new targets with unique characteristics may be acquired using CEST MR imaging.
CEST MRI methods for imaging of metabolites and the use of same as biomarkers