Abstract #1900

Anomalous relaxation in the human brain mapped using ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging and time-fractional Bloch equation

Shanlin Qin¹, Fawang Liu¹, Ian William Turner^1,2, Qiang Yu³, Qianqian Yang¹, and Viktor Vegh³

¹School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, ²ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, Melbourne, Australia, ³Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

MRI models based on integer order calculus lack the ability to accurately map magnitude signal decay in the human brain, likely due to magnetic susceptibility and microstructure variations in tissues. We applied fractional calculus to the Bloch equation with the aim of developing a model capable of matching experimental findings. Solution of the time-fractional Bloch equation resulted in a new five parameter model. We analysed model parameters in nine brain regions using multiple echo gradient recalled echo MRI data from five participants. Time-fractional model parameters may provide new ways of studying microstructure and susceptibility induced changes in the human brain.

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