An End-to-End AI-Based Framework for Automated Discovery of CEST/MT MR Fingerprinting Acquisition Protocols and Quantitative Deep Reconstruction (AutoCEST)

Purpose: To develop an automated machine-learning-based method for the discovery of rapid and quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MR fingerprinting acquisition and reconstruction protocols. Methods: An MR physics governed AI system was trained to generate optimized acquisition schedules and the corresponding quantitative reconstruction neural-network. The system (termed AutoCEST) is composed of a CEST saturation block, a spin dynamics module, and a deep reconstruction net...