title: MRI-based myelin water imaging: A technical review.
abstract: Multiexponential T2 relaxation time measurement in the central nervous system shows a component that originates from water trapped between the lipid bilayers of myelin. This myelin water component is of significant interest as it provides a myelin-specific MRI signal of value in assessing myelin changes in cerebral white matter in vivo. In this article, the various acquisition and analysis strategies proposed to date for myelin water imaging are reviewed and research conducted into their validity and clinical applicability is presented. Comparisons between the imaging methods are made with a discussion regarding potential difficulties and model limitations.
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Unit, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, room WB 321, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 2B4.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alonso-Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, McGill University and Research Institute of the MUHC, 1650 Cedar Avenue, room L5-212.3, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 2G4.
authors.forename: Ives R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Levesque
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N1.
authors.forename: G Bruce
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Pike
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D066127:White Matter / Q000378:metabolism*
keywords: T2 distribution; T2 relaxation; brain microstructure; myelin water fraction; myelin water imaging