Toward quantitative inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (qihMT) using a general Matrix Exponential Model

Abstract

International audienceInhomogeneous magnetization transfer is becoming an important tool in the detection of demyelinating pathologies, as well as in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms engaged in demyelinating/remyelinating processes. Although ihMT ratio delivers a reproducible index sensitive to the dipolar order underpinning the ihMT effect, advanced approaches analogous to quantitative MT could allow estimation of quantitative parameters directly related to the underlying biophysical model of myelin. This study proposes a general framework based on the Matrix Exponential Model allowing fast fitting of ihMT data. Demonstration of qihMT is performed ex-vivo on rat spinal cord specimen and in-vivo on mouse brain