Application of Anti-Motion Ultra-Fast Quantitative MRI in Neurological Disorder Imaging: Insights From Huntington's Disease
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Published on: June 26, 2013
Fei Wu1, Haiyang Luo2, Xiao Wang1
1Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Background:
Conventional quantitative MRI (qMRI) scan is time-consuming and highly sensitive to movements, posing great challenges for quantitative images of individuals with involuntary movements, such as Huntington's disease (HD).
Purpose:
To evaluate the potential of our developed ultra-fast qMRI technique, multiple overlapping-echo detachment (MOLED), in overcoming involuntary head motion and its capacity to quantitatively assess tissue changes in HD.
Study Type:
Prospective.
Phantom/Subjects:
A phantom comprising 13 tubes of MnCl2 at varying concentrations, 5 healthy volunteers (male/female: 1/4), 22 HD patients (male/female: 14/8) and 27 healthy controls (male/female: 15/12).
Field Strength/Sequence:
3.0 T. MOLED-T2 sequence, MOLED-T2* sequence, T2-weighted spin-echo sequence, T1-weighted gradient echo sequence, and T2-dark-fluid sequence.
Assessment:
T1-weighted images were reconstructed into high-resolution images, followed by segmentation to delineate regions of interest (ROIs). Subsequently, the MOLED T2 and T2* maps were aligned with the high-resolution images, and the ROIs were transformed into the MOLED image space using the transformation matrix and warp field. Finally, T2 and T2* values were extracted from the MOLED relaxation maps.
Statistical Tests:
Bland-Altman analysis, independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson correlation analysis, and Spearman correlation analysis, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
MOLED-T2 and MOLED-T2* sequences demonstrated good accuracy (Meandiff = - 0.20%, SDdiff = 1.05%, and Meandiff = -1.73%, SDdiff = 10.98%, respectively), and good repeatability (average intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.856 and 0.853, respectively). More important, MOLED T2 and T2* maps remained artifact-free across all HD patients, even in the presence of apparent head motions. Moreover, there were significant differences in T2 and T2* values across multiple ROIs between HD and controls.
Data Conclusion:
The ultra-fast scanning capabilities of MOLED effectively mitigate the impact of head movements, offering a robust solution for quantitative imaging in HD. Moreover, T2 and T2* values derived from MOLED provide powerful capabilities for quantifying tissue changes.
Plain Language Summary:
Quantitative MRI scan is time-consuming and sensitive to movements. Consequently, obtaining quantitative images is challenging for patients with involuntary movements, such as those with Huntington's Disease (HD). In response, a newly developed MOLED technique has been introduced, promising to resist motion through ultra-fast scan. This technique has demonstrated excellent accuracy and reproducibility and importantly all HD patient's MOLED maps remained artifacts-free. Additionally, there were significant differences in T2 and T2∗ values across ROIs between HD and controls. The robust resistance of MOLED to motion makes it particularly suitable for quantitative assessments in patients prone to involuntary movements.
Level Of Evidence:
2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.
Insights
Ultra-fast multiple overlapping-echo detachment (MOLED) quantitative MRI overcomes motion artifacts in Huntington's disease (HD) patients. This technique accurately quantifies tissue changes, offering a robust solution for challenging neurodegenerative disease imaging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Quantitative MRI
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Conventional quantitative MRI (qMRI) is time-consuming and motion-sensitive, hindering imaging for patients with involuntary movements like Huntington's disease (HD).
- Challenges in obtaining reliable quantitative images for individuals with involuntary movements necessitate advanced imaging techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the developed ultra-fast qMRI technique, multiple overlapping-echo detachment (MOLED), in addressing involuntary head motion.
- To assess MOLED's capacity for quantitative tissue change evaluation in HD patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving a phantom, 5 healthy volunteers, 22 HD patients, and 27 healthy controls at 3.0T.
- Utilized MOLED-T2, MOLED-T2*, T2-weighted spin-echo, T1-weighted gradient echo, and T2-dark-fluid sequences.
- Analyzed T2 and T2* values from MOLED maps, employing Bland-Altman analysis, t-tests, and correlation analyses.
Main Results:
- MOLED-T2 and MOLED-T2* sequences showed good accuracy and repeatability (ICC: 0.856 and 0.853).
- MOLED T2 and T2* maps remained artifact-free in all HD patients, despite head motion.
- Significant differences in T2 and T2* values were observed across multiple ROIs between HD patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- The ultra-fast MOLED technique effectively mitigates head motion artifacts, enabling robust quantitative MRI in HD.
- MOLED-derived T2 and T2* values offer powerful capabilities for quantifying tissue changes in neurodegenerative diseases.
- MOLED is particularly suitable for quantitative assessments in patients prone to involuntary movements.
