The diffusion MR signal in complex tissue such as gray matter exhibits non-Gaussian signal attenuation due to exchange and restrictions. Existing signal models typically ignore one or both effects by assuming Gaussian diffusion or negligible exchange. We propose a more rigorous signal model that incorporates both effects. Subsequently, an acquisition scheme utilizing equal double diffusion encodings ($$$b_1=b_2$$$) at various mixing times, and single diffusion encodings with the same total weighting $$$b=b_1+b_2$$$, is designed to independently characterize the effects of restriction and exchange. The method is tested on live and fixed gray matter specimen using a low-field, high-gradient MR system.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.