SNR-Optimized, Fast & High-Resolution Mapping of Whole Brain Tissue Water Content

Mohammad Sabati¹, Andrew A. Maudsley¹

Accurate mapping of tissue water content, M0, with high spatial resolution and short experimental times is technically challenging. One efficient method for obtaining simultaneous M0 and T1-maps is based on acquiring two SPGR images in steady states with variable flip angles using linear parameterization. The two optimal flip angles for best T1-maps (i.e., maximum SNR) were previously found. Here, we analytically derive the optimal flip angles for SNR-optimized M0-maps and verify the result in eight healthy subjects. Accurate M0-maps with 1 mm isotropic resolution and whole brain coverage were achieved in a clinically acceptable time.