Reconstruction of Bound Pool Fraction Maps from Subsets of Cross-Relaxation Imaging Data at 3.0 T: Accuracy, Time-Efficiency and Error Analysis

Hunter R. Underhill^1,2, Chun Yuan¹, Vasily L. Yarnykh¹

In this study, we compare strategies for the time-efficient acquisition of the bound pool fraction in the in vivo human brain at 3.0 T. The bound pool fraction can be accurately estimated using only two off-resonant magnetization transfer data points by applying appropriate, field-strength specific constraints to the transfer rate constant and transverse relaxation parameters. In so doing, whole-brain, three-dimensional, high-resolution f-maps can be obtained in a clinically acceptable scan time. Simulations demonstrate that the effects of parameter constraints induce minimal error in determining f in grey matter, white matter and multiple sclerosis lesions.