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Published on: May 19, 2015
A human post-mortem brain model for the standardization of multi-centre MRI studies
Amgad Droby1, Carsten Lukas2, Anne Schänzer3
1Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany; Neuroimaging Center (NIC) of the Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
A novel post-mortem brain phantom offers a stable solution for multi-centre MRI studies, ensuring reliable quantitative mapping and volumetric analysis across different sites. This tool aids in standardizing MRI protocols for neurological and psychiatric disease research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Medical Physics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Multi-centre Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies are crucial for investigating complex neurological and psychiatric diseases by enabling large, diverse patient cohorts.
- Standard MRI data comparison across sites is challenging due to variations in imaging sequences, parameters, and radiofrequency (RF) coil sensitivity.
- Existing water or gel phantoms lack the anatomical complexity of the human brain, limiting their utility for brain-specific MRI quality assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the long-term stability of a human post-mortem brain phantom for quantitative MRI mapping (T1, T2, Proton Density (PD), Magnetization Transfer Ratio (MTR)) over 18 months.
- To assess the phantom's utility in a multi-centre study for MRI protocol standardization across four institutions.
- To compare voxel-wise and whole-brain grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) tissue volumes between the phantom and a healthy control (HC) brain.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative mapping of T1, T2, PD, and MTR was performed on a post-mortem brain phantom over an 18-month period.
- Data acquisition was conducted across four centres using the phantom and a healthy control brain.
- Volumetric analysis of GM and WM was performed using T1-weighted MP-RAGE images, with inter- and intra-centre variations assessed.
Main Results:
- Magnetization Transfer Ratio (MTR) and T2 remained stable in the post-mortem brain phantom. The quotient of Proton Density (PD) in white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) was also stable.
- T1 relaxation times showed an initial decrease post-embedment, stabilizing over the 18-month study period.
- Volumetric measures revealed inter- and intra-centre variations in GM and WM, with brainstem, deep GM, and GM/WM boundaries showing lower reproducibility across all centres.
Conclusions:
- A human post-mortem brain phantom demonstrates long-term stability for quantitative MRI parameter mapping.
- The phantom serves as a reliable tool for multi-centre MRI studies, aiding in protocol standardization and quality assessment.
- Despite phantom stability, variations in volumetric measures highlight the need for robust MRI protocol standardization in multi-centre research.
