Combined diffusion-relaxometry microstructure imaging: Current status and future prospects

Paddy J. Slator*, Marco Palombo, Karla L. Miller, Carl Fredrik Westin, Frederik Laun, Daeun Kim, Justin P. Haldar, Dan Benjamini, Gregory Lemberskiy, Joao P. de Almeida Martins, Jana Hutter

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Microstructure imaging seeks to noninvasively measure and map microscopic tissue features by pairing mathematical modeling with tailored MRI protocols. This article reviews an emerging paradigm that has the potential to provide a more detailed assessment of tissue microstructure—combined diffusion-relaxometry imaging. Combined diffusion-relaxometry acquisitions vary multiple MR contrast encodings—such as b-value, gradient direction, inversion time, and echo time—in a multidimensional acquisition space. When paired with suitable analysis techniques, this enables quantification of correlations and coupling between multiple MR parameters—such as diffusivity, (Formula presented.), (Formula presented.), and (Formula presented.). This opens the possibility of disentangling multiple tissue compartments (within voxels) that are indistinguishable with single-contrast scans, enabling a new generation of microstructural maps with improved biological sensitivity and specificity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2987-3011
Number of pages25
JournalMagnetic Resonance in Medicine
Volume86
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2021

Keywords

  • diffusion
  • multidimensional MRI
  • quantitative MRI
  • relaxometry

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