Abstract #3104

Stobbe R, Beaulieu C

A novel sodium relaxometry technique is used to characterize sodium relaxation in the human brain using both one and two compartment models. The one compartment model yields a bulk tissue value for the fast component of transverse relaxation, which is difficult to measure using multi-echo experiments, and an average value for longitudinal relaxation. However, the two compartment model generates a more ideal fit for the measured data. Regression of data from two volunteers (using a gray matter ROI) suggests one compartment has sodium relaxation properties similar to 1-2 percent agar, while the other has a very rapid fast-T2.