Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, and image processing method

An image processing apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured:

• generate a first Z-spectrum based on data obtained by executing a first pulse sequence including application of a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pulse;
• generate a second Z-spectrum based on data obtained by executing, after the execution of the first pulse sequence, a second pulse sequence including application of an MT pulse after an action that causes a change in a physiological state of a patient;
• decompose the first Z-spectrum into a sum of a plurality of first Lorentzian spectra and calculates peak values and widths of the plurality of first Lorentzian spectra based on the plurality of first Lorentzian spectra;
• decompose the second Z-spectrum into a sum of a plurality of second Lorentzian spectra and calculates peak values and widths of the plurality of second Lorentzian spectra based on the plurality of second Lorentzian spectra;
• generate difference images between each of the peak values of the first Lorentzian spectra and each of the peak values of the second Lorentzian spectra, respectively;
• and
• generate difference images between each of the widths of the first Lorentzian spectra and each of the widths of the second Lorentzian spectra, respectively.

An image processing method implemented by an image processing apparatus, the image processing method comprising:

• generating a first Z-spectrum based on data obtained by executing a first pulse sequence including application of a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pulse;
• generating a second Z-spectrum based on data obtained by executing, after the execution of the first pulse sequence, a second pulse sequence including application of an MT pulse after an action that causes a change in a physiological state of a patient;
• decomposing the first Z-spectrum into a sum of a plurality of first Lorentzian spectra and calculates peak values and widths of the plurality of first Lorentzian spectra based on the plurality of first Lorentzian spectra;
• decomposing the second Z-spectrum into a sum of a plurality of second Lorentzian spectra and calculates peak values and widths of the plurality of second Lorentzian spectra based on the plurality of second Lorentzian spectra;
• generating difference images between each of the peak values of the first Lorentzian spectra and each of the peak values of the second Lorentzian spectra, respectively;
• and
• generating difference images between each of the widths of the first Lorentzian spectra and each of the widths of the second Lorentzian spectra, respectively.