Including a Third, Non-Exchanging Water Component in McDESPOT

Sean Deoni¹

Rapid Myelin Water imaging can provide important information in de-myelinating disease (Multiple Sclerosis) as well as neuropsychological disorders that may be associated with disconnectivity. Although mcDESPOT is a rapid myelin water imaging, it suffers from an implicit assumption of two-component relaxation, which may not be true in voxels bordering CSF or edema. Here we introduce a third, non-exchanging component to address this deficiency. Results show improved myelin water estimation in areas bordering the ventricles and the periphery of the brain.