NMR in biomedicine
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Chemical exchange observed by NMR saturation transfer (CEST) and spin-lock (SL) experiments provide an MRI contrast by indirect detection of exchanging protons. The determination of the relative concentrations and exchange rates is commonly achieved by numerical integration of the Bloch-McConnell equations. We derive an analytical solution of the Bloch-McConnell equations that describes the magnetization of coupled spin populations under radiofrequency irradiation. ⋯ This allows the optimization of irradiation parameters and the quantification of pH-dependent exchange rates and metabolite concentrations. In addition, we propose evaluation methods that correct for concomitant direct saturation effects. It is shown that existing theoretical treatments for CEST are special cases of this approach.