Cheryl R. McCreary1,2, Thorarin A. Bjarnason3, J Ross Mitchell1,2, Jeff F. Dunn1,2
1Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; 2Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; 3Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
The focus of many multiexponential T2 studies has been the use of the short T2 component as a surrogate marker of myelin content. It is therefore important to understand regional variation in these components and to establish the characteristics of the T2 distribution of normal CNS tissue. We analyzed multiecho spin echo data from rat corpus callosum, cerebral cortex, cervical dorsal column, and spinal cord grey matter in 5 healthy rats. In addition to regional variations in myelin water, we also found variations in the IE water component, particularly between brain and spinal cord white and grey matter regions.