Hyperpolarized Helium-3 MRI of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction during challenge and therapy.

Purpose To investigate the utility of hyperpolarized He-3 MRI for detecting regional lung ventilated volume (VV) changes in response to exercise challenge and leukotriene inhibitor montelukast, human subjects were recruited with Exercise Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB), a condition described by airway constriction following exercise leading to reduced Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) coinciding with ventilation defects on hyperpolarized He-3 MRI.