A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Analysis of the Multiexponential Relaxation Curve in MRI for Myelin Water Imaging
Eric Y. Zhao
Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, The University of British Columbia

PHYS 542 Presentation

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation The time course of relaxation.

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

A theoretical homogeneous T2 relaxation curve.

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation The time course of relaxation.

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

A more typical multiexponential T2 relaxation curve.

0.2et /20 + 0.5et /80 + 0.3et /2000

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation The time course of relaxation.

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

A mathematical description of multiexponential functions.

y (ti ) = yi
b

=
a

s(T )eti /T dT ,

i = 1, 2, . . . , N . y = As,

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

The physical basis for multiexponential relaxation.

Magnetization exchange and diffusion

Magnetization Exchange

R2 = 2NDt

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

The physical basis for multiexponential relaxation.

Multiexponential relaxation arises from various water compartments

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation Multiexponential decay analysis

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Non-negative least squares

y (ti ) = yi =
a

s(T )eti /T dT , i = 1, 2, . . . , N .

(1) (2)

y = As, Mist: D = |As y| = = 2

2 p N i =1 (yy i2

(3) yi )2 , (4) (5)

Aim is to minimize the least squares mist, which is equal to 2 , which characterizes the variability of the data. 2 N indicates a good t.

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation Multiexponential decay analysis

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Identication of component contributions

A

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation Multiexponential decay analysis

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Example of a myelin map obtained by NNLS of a T2 GRASE image

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Myelin imaging by echo time linear combination ltering

Suppression of tissue and CSF by linear combination ltering

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Myelin imaging by echo time linear combination ltering

Myelin map generated by linear combination lter approach

A less robust but much faster approach.

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation Study of myelin using MRI

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Difference in MWF between white matter and grey matter structures

A C

Whittall et. al. (1997)

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation Study of myelin using MRI

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Correlation with histopathology

Laule et. al. (2006)

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation MWF in the study of MS

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Demyelinating lesions visualized by MWF

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation MWF in the study of MS

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Demyelination of normal appearing white matter structures

A Closer Look at T2 Relaxation Summary

Analysis of T2 Relaxation

Myelin Water Imaging

Summary

Summary
T HERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TODAY THAT, YEARS AGO, THERE WAS NOTHING . The community today needs to know that with MRI and the current medications the view is good. - Teri Garr Multiecho analysis of T2 opens possibilities for new and physiologically relevant contrasts in MRI. Myelin water imaging has been validated ex vivo , and may give new insight in the study of demyelinating diseases such as MS.