Effects of the interaction between ferric iron and L-dopa melanin on T1 and T2 relaxation times determined by magnetic resonance imaging.
T1 and T2 relaxation times of agar phantoms containing L-dopa melanin and Fe3+ were measured under MRI conditions. Fe3+ shortened T1 and T2 relaxation times. Melanin influenced relaxation times only in the presence of Fe3+; thus, contrast in MR images of the basal ganglia may depend upon levels of both paramagnetic iron and neuromelanin.
Tosk
J M
JM
Psychiatry Service, Jerry L. Pettis Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, Loma Linda, California 92357.
Holshouser
B A
BA
Aloia
R C
RC
Hinshaw
D B
DB
Hasso
A N
AN
MacMurray
J P
JP
Will
A D
AD
Bozzetti
L P
LP
D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008543:Melanins; D008961:Models, Structural
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D008543:Melanins; C014121:neuromelanin; D007980:Levodopa