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Abstract #4553

Fast neuromelanin imaging using the EP-vfMT technique

Se-Hong Oh1,2, Ken Sakaie1, Stephen E. Jones1, and Mark J. Lowe1
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, United States, 2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea, Republic of

Synopsis

Keywords: Parkinson's Disease, Magnetization transfer, Neuromelanin, Locus coeruleus, Substantia nigra

Motivation: Loss of neuromelanin (NM) in brainstem structures is evident in pathology in early neurodegenerative disease. In-vivo neuromelanin imaging is a potential biomarker, but previously-developed approaches can be too lengthy for routine clinical use.

Goal(s): To optimize the contrast of locus coeruleus (LC) and substantia nigra (SN) in a fast, segmented EPI readout variable flip-angle magnetization transfer (EP-vfMT) acquisition.

Approach: Contrast of LC and SN were optimized as a function of echo time (TE), repetition time (TR), and MT flip-angle while limiting scan time to 5 minutes.

Results: Optimal contrast was found by minimizing TE and maximizing MT flip-angle. Contrast was insensitive to TR.

Impact: The speed of the proposed acquisition will enable examination of EP-vfMT as an imaging biomarker for early-stage neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other neurogenerative disorders.

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