Abstract Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is an advanced biochemical technique used to identify metabolic compounds in living tissue. While its sensitivity and specificity to chemical imbalances render it a valuable tool in clinical assessment, the results from this modality are abstract and difficult to interpret. With this design study we characterized and explored the tasks and requirements for evaluating these data from the perspective of a MRS research specialist. Our resulting tool, SpectraMosaic, links with upstream spectroscopy quantification software to provide a means for precise interactive visual analysis of metabolites with both single- and multi-peak spectral signatures. Using a layered visual approach, SpectraMosaic allows researchers to analyze any permutation of metabolites in ratio form for an entire cohort, or by sample region, individual, acquisition date, or brain activity status at the time of acquisition. A case study with three MRS researchers demonstrates the utility of our approach in rapid and iterative spectral data analysis.

中文翻译：

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磁共振波谱研究中代谢物比率的交互式视觉探索

摘要 磁共振波谱 (MRS) 是一种先进的生化技术，用于识别活组织中的代谢化合物。虽然它对化学失衡的敏感性和特异性使其成为临床评估中的一个有价值的工具，但这种模式的结果是抽象的并且难以解释。通过这项设计研究，我们从 MRS 研究专家的角度描述并探索了评估这些数据的任务和要求。我们得到的工具 SpectraMosaic 与上游光谱量化软件相连接，为具有单峰和多峰光谱特征的代谢物进行精确的交互式可视化分析提供了一种手段。使用分层的视觉方法，SpectraMosaic 允许研究人员以比率形式分析整个队列中代谢物的任何排列，或按样本区域、个体、获取日期或获取时的大脑活动状态。三名 MRS 研究人员的案例研究证明了我们的方法在快速迭代光谱数据分析中的实用性。