To investigate the potential of magnetic susceptibility as a biomarker for habenula studies, we have obtained quantitative susceptibility maps (QSM) and R2* maps from 21 normal volunteers at high spatial resolution. Compared to R2* maps, QSM showed more conspicuous and localized contrast in habenula in about 75% of the volunteers. Measured susceptibility and R2* values exhibited clear positive correlation, indicating iron-dominance (as opposed to myelin) of the susceptibility contrast in habenula. Significant heterogeneity of the susceptibility contrast across the subjects and within the tissue appear to be a challenge for using QSM as a biomarker for human habenula research.
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