In recent years the group of Prof. Lucio Frydman, at the Weizmann Institute of Science, has been developing an approach named Spatiotemporal Encoded (SPEN). This method yields ultrafast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), spectroscopy (MRS) and/or spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) data in multiple dimensions that overcome existing challenges and limitations of common alternatives like Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) and Spectroscopic Imaging (EPSI). The sequence will be described, with emphasis on contemporary neurobiological and biological applications like functional and diffusion MRI. Examples will be given of enhanced resolution and contrast to noise ratio (CNR), as well as an enhancement of a signal in anatomical locations that were out of scope due to a high signal dephasing. Additional applications centered on dynamic metabolic imaging utilizing hyperpolarized biomarker injections and MRSI based on SPEN, will also be presented.
