Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
07:00
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
Multicenter Assessment of Combined Brain and Cervical Spinal cord 3T MP2RAGE T1 Measurements for Reliable Tissue
Malo Gaubert1,2, Benoit Combès2, Henitsoa Rasoanandrianina3,4
1Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, (Service de radiologie et imagerie médicale), Rennes, France.
NMR in Biomedicine
|July 8, 2026
Summary
Quantitative T1 imaging using magnetization-prepared two rapid acquisition gradient echoes (MP2RAGE) is reliable for simultaneous brain and cervical spinal cord scans across multiple centers. This method offers consistent and reproducible data collection for central nervous system studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Quantitative MRI
- Spinal Cord Imaging
Background:
- Quantitative T1 mapping enables simultaneous brain and cervical spinal cord (cSC) scanning via MP2RAGE.
- Multicenter variability of this simultaneous acquisition has not been previously assessed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate multicenter variability (inter-scanner, between-session, between-participant) of T1 MP2RAGE measurements in the brain and cSC.
- To validate the consistency and reliability of simultaneous brain and cSC MP2RAGE acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Acquired 52 MP2RAGE scans across two centers with Siemens 3T MRI systems.
- Assessed variability using a linear mixed-effects model in brain regions and cSC vertebral levels.
- Calculated intra-site, inter-site, and between-participant coefficients of variation (COV).
Main Results:
- Mean COV for brain ROIs were 0.4% (intra-site), 0.9% (inter-site), and 2.3% (between-participant).
- Mean COV for cSC were 2.0% (intra-site), 2.4% (inter-site), and 1.7% (between-participant).
- Low variability indicates high consistency across sites and sessions.
Conclusions:
- MP2RAGE T1 quantitative imaging is consistent and reliable for simultaneous brain and cSC acquisition in multicenter settings.
- This approach facilitates reproducible quantitative imaging across multiple centers for CNS pathology studies.
- Potential impact on studying diseases like multiple sclerosis through improved data collection.
