title: Effects of the interaction between ferric iron and L-dopa melanin on T1 and T2 relaxation times determined by magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Service, Jerry L. Pettis Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, Loma Linda, California 92357.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tosk
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Holshouser
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Aloia
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hinshaw
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Hasso
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: MacMurray
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Will
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Bozzetti
mesh_terms: D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008543:Melanins; D008961:Models, Structural
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D008543:Melanins; C014121:neuromelanin; D007980:Levodopa