Dovetailing MRI and in-vivo physiology

The mechanisms behind muscle repair and recovery following eccentric and concentric loading are not fully understood, with the primary investigative tool being the muscle biopsy. However, this is an invasive procedure, and is limited by the histology of the tissue. By using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) and sodium MR techniques, and applying them to muscle damage models, it is hoped that a non invasive method of studying muscle physiology can be developed.