Investigating the effect of exchange and multicomponent T(1) relaxation on the short repetition time spoiled steady-state signal and the DESPOT1 T(1) quantification method.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the spoiled steady-state (spoiled gradient-recalled echo sequence [SPGR]) signal arising from two-compartment systems and the role of experimental parameters, in particular TR for resolving signal from each compartment.


METHODS
Using Bloch-McConnell simulations, we examined the SPGR signal from two-component systems in which T(1) is much greater than the mean residence time (tau(m)) of proton spins in each component. Specifically, we examined the role of TR on the ability to resolve each components signal, as well as the influence of experimental parameters on derived DESPOT1 T(1) values.


RESULTS
Results revealed that when TR < or = 0.01 tau(m), the measured SPGR signal may be modeled as a summation of signal from each species using a no-exchange approximation. Additionally, under this short TR condition, the driven equilibrium single pulse observation of T(1) (DESPOT1) mapping approach provides T(1) values preferentially biased toward the short or long T(1) species, depending on the choice of flip angles.


CONCLUSIONS
The ability to model the SPGR signal using a no-exchange approximation may permit the quantification multicomponent T(1) relaxation in vivo. Additionally, the ability to preferentially weight the DESPOT1 T(1) value toward the short or long T(1) may provide a useful window into these components.
Deoni
Sean C L
SC
Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK. sdeoni@mac.com
Rutt
Brian K
BK
Jones
Derek K
DK
D003198:Computer Simulation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors