title: An alternative explanation of the origin of the signal in diffusion-weighted MRI.
abstract: I formulated an alternative explanation for the origin of the signal in diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and tested it in a simple experimental model using gelatin. My findings indicate that the signal in DWI is influenced by the passage of water from the sol to the gel state, independently of the presence of cell structures or membrane-dependent diffusion.
authors.affiliation: Hospital CUF, Travessa do Castro N 3, 1350 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Branco
mesh_terms: D001834:Body Water / Q000737:chemistry; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004058:Diffusion; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D009005:Monosaccharides; D011506:Proteins; D014867:Water; D005780:Gelatin