Spectral characteristics of semisolid protons in human brain white matter at 7 T

To inform the quantification of MRI magnetization transfer contrast at high field by measuring the spectral characteristics of ¹ H protons in semisolids in human brain at 7 T, while avoiding prohibitive radiofrequency (RF) tissue heating and confounding effects from chemical exchange.

Saturation-recovery type experiments were performed using brief, frequency-specific RF pulses that saturate semisolid proton magnetization. Analysis of the subsequent recovery of water proton magnetization with a two-pool model of exchange allowed the study of spectral characteristics of semisolid protons.

We show that in white matter, the semisolid proton spectrum can be approximated with a symmetric, super-Lorentzian line at -2.58 ± 0.05 ppm from the water resonance and an average transverse relaxation time constant (T₂ ) of 9.6 ± 0.6 micros.

These results are consistent with studies at lower field that have indicated a major contribution from methylene protons to magnetization transfer contrast, and will facilitate the design and quantification of magnetization transfer studies at 7 T. Magn Reson Med 78:1950-1958, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.