Relaxometry and quantification in simultaneously acquired single and triple quantum filtered sodium MRI

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Biophysics
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Sodium imaging provides crucial insights into in vivo metabolism and pathophysiology.
• Accurate quantification of sodium in tissues aids in diagnosing and characterizing diseases.
• A two-compartment model is essential for understanding brain sodium dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an enhanced SISTINA sequence for sodium imaging and parameter estimation.
• To demonstrate the parameterization of a two-compartment model for brain tissue sodium.
• To assess tissue sodium concentrations and dynamics using relaxometry.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an enhanced SISTINA sequence with three radiofrequency pulses.
• Detected multiple quantum filtered sodium signals.
• Applied semiautomatic and manual segmentation techniques.

Main Results:

• Bi-exponential relaxation times of brain tissue were determined.
• Intracellular sodium molar and volume fractions were quantified.
• Sodium tissue concentrations were estimated using a two-compartment model.

Conclusions:

• The enhanced SISTINA sequence allows for the estimation of relaxation properties and concentrations within the model's framework.
• Results obtained are consistent with existing literature values.
• This approach facilitates a comprehensive understanding of brain sodium parameters.