Abstract #1163

Multiexponential T2, Magnetization Transfer and Quantitative Histology in White Matter Tracts of Rat Spinal Cord

Adrienne N. Dula¹, Holly L. Valentine, William M. Valentine, Daniel F. Gochberg, Mark D. Does²

¹Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; ²Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

Multi-exponential T2 (MET2), quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) have been measured in white matter tracts of the rat spinal cord. These measures were compared with each other and with micro-anatomical characteristics derived from quantitative analysis of histology. The results indicate that while both MWF and PSR report on myelin content, they are each uniquely sensitive to the micro-anatomical characteristics of the tissue from which they are measured. Therefore, in comparing absolute values of MWF or PSR, one must be aware that difference may reflect more than simply amount of myelin.