Magnetic resonance imaging techniques for indirect assessment of myelin content in the brain using standard T1w and T2w MRI sequences and postprocessing analysis

In this study, we focused on techniques utilizing standard MRI T1-weighted (T1w) and T2 weighted (T2w) sequences commonly used in brain imaging protocols. We evaluated the applicability of the T1w/T2w ratio in assessing myelin content by comparing it to quantitative T1 mapping (qT1). Our study included 1 healthy adult control and 7 neurologic patients (comprising both pediatric and adult populations) with epilepsy originating from focal epileptogenic lesions visible on MRI structural scans. Following image acquisition on a 3T Siemens Vida scanner, datasets were co registered, and segmented into anatomical regions using the Fastsurfer toolbox, and T1w/T2w ratio maps were calculated in Matlab software. We further assessed interhemispheric differences in volumes of individual structures, their signal intensity, and the correlation of the T1w/T2w ratio to qT1. Our data demonstrate that in situations where a dedicated myelin-sensing sequence such as qT1 is not available, the T1w/T2w ratio provides significantly better information than T1w alone. By providing indirect information about myelin content, this technique offers a valuable tool for understanding the neurobiology of myelin-related conditions using basic brain scans.PMID:38165761

Source: Physiological Research - January 2, 2024 Category: Physiology Authors: P Poko šová D Kala J Šanda P Je ždík Y Prysiazhniuk A Faridov á A Jahodov á A B ělohlávková A Kalina Z Holubov á B Jur ášek M Kyn čl J Ot áhal Source Type: research