biostudies-literatureYang LGuangdong High-Level University Development ProgramNatural Science Foundation of Hubei ProvinceGuangdong Science and Technology Innovation FoundationNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaShantou UniversityXiangyang Science and Technology Program4533-4543https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11661682biostudies-literatureUnknown15(24)Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) visualization is valuable for early bilirubin encephalopathy (BE) diagnosis and management. UCB neurotoxicity is a challenge, necessitating improved imaging modalities for precise localization and characterization. This study developed a noninvasive method for UCB imaging in the brain using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging, which visualizes UCB distribution through amide-bulk water proton exchange, a process termed bilirubin CEST (Bil-CEST) imaging. Bil-CEST imaging parameters were initially optimized; the exchange rate of the amide protons of UCB was calculated. Bil-CEST imaging characteristics and specificity were assessed using in vitro images of UCB solutions under different conditions and images of other brain metabolACS chemical neuroscienceVisualization of Unconjugated Bilirubin In Vivo with a Novel Approach Using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Rat Model.PMC11661682STKJ2021148002-181203022022YL15A820201080162022CFB960Cai RGuan JYang LCao ZZhang XJia YWu RLin YCheng YZhuang ZfalseVisualization of Unconjugated Bilirubin In Vivo with a Novel Approach Using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Rat Model.Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) visualization is valuable for early bilirubin encephalopathy (BE) diagnosis and management. UCB neurotoxicity is a challenge, necessitating improved imaging modalities for precise localization and characterization. This study developed a noninvasive method for UCB imaging in the brain using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging, which visualizes UCB distribution through amide-bulk water proton exchange, a process termed bilirubin CEST (Bil-CEST) imaging. Bil-CEST imaging parameters were initially optimized; the exchange rate of the amide protons of UCB was calculated. Bil-CEST imaging characteristics and specificity were assessed using in vitro images of UCB solutions under different conditions and images of other brain metabol2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Dec2026-06-06T14:41:46.884Z2026-05-31T03:10:23.082ZS-EPMC116616823961480510.1021/acschemneuro.4c00604