Histograms of Multi-Component T2 Relaxation Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis: Characterization and Comparison with Histograms from Diffusion Tensor Imaging.

Shannon Heather Kolind¹, Cornelia Laule, Irene Vavasour, Burkhard Mdler², Alexander Rauscher, Virginia Devonshire, John Hooge, Joel Oger, Penelope Smyth, Anthony Traboulsee, Wayne Moore, David Li, Alexander MacKay

Using a recently developed 3D multi-echo T₂ relaxation sequence for increased brain coverage, we conducted histogram analysis for a more thorough characterization of myelin water fraction (MWF, the short T₂ component of water in brain associated with myelin) in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain than has previously been possible. We also investigated the relationship between MWF and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures. Thirteen MS patients and 11 controls underwent T₂ relaxation and DTI examinations to create histograms for white matter and lesion. MS MWF histograms differed considerably from those of controls, however, differences did not mirror those observed in DTI histograms.