A High-Resolution Quantitative Method for the Study of the Post Mortem Brain

Ana-Maria Oros-Peusquens¹, Fabian Keil¹, Miriam Rabea Kubach¹, N Jon Shah^1,2

MRI-based investigations of the post mortem brain are relevant to brain mapping endeavours as well as to a better understanding of brain pathology. Both research directions, but in particular the latter, would benefit from the availability of quantitative data to characterise post mortem tissue. We report on the quantitative measurement of the whole post mortem brain with (0.54x0.54x0.6)mm3 using a 3D method which provides proton density, longitudinal and relaxation times maps. The primary source of contrast is due to the proton density M0, which is higher than in vivo. A strong shortening of the relaxation times is found, but T2* contrast between GM and WM is present. The T1 maps highlight specific structures, for example the stria of Gennari. It is expected that quantitative measurements on the post mortem brain will provide better insight into brain pathologies, especially upon comparison with histology.