Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) offers a new type of contrast for MRI that is
molecule specific. In this approach, a slowly exchanging NMR active nucleus, typically a
proton, possessing a chemical shift distinct from water is selectively saturated and the
saturated spin is transferred to the bulk water via chemical exchange. Many molecules can
act as CEST agents, both naturally occurring endogenous molecules and new types of
exogenous agents. A large variety of molecules have been demonstrated as potential …