Stochastic Analysis of Transverse Relaxation Caused by Local Field Inhomogeneities in Iron-Rich Brain Tissue

John Frederic Schenck¹

A modification of a classical stochastic solution to the problem of an ensemble of harmonic oscillators subjected to random frequency perturbations is modified to provide a simple formula capable of describing the details of transverse relaxation in the presence of iron deposits. This formula is widely applicable and extremely easy to use. It provides new insights into this important process and suggests new approaches to the imaging and analysis of brain iron deposits.