MRI METHODS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BRAIN DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCUMULATION OF IRON COMPLEXES

Qualitative and quantitative determination of the content of metal complexes in brain tissues is extremely important for the early diagnosis of a number of neurodegenerative diseases. This article analyzes the currently existing methods for visualizing and evaluating the accumulation of iron complexes in tissues based on magnetic resonance imaging. The forms of the presence of iron in the human body and their effect on the contrast of magnetic resonance images weighted by relaxation times T₁, T₂ and T^*₂ are considered. Such methods for quantifying the iron content in various brain regions as T₂, T^*₂ and T^'₂ MR-relaxometry; magnetic field-dependent MR-relaxometry (FDR); magnetic susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI); quantitative magnetic susceptibility mapping (QSM) are compared. It is concluded that standard MRI methods based on the measurement of relaxation times qualitatively detect the effect of iron complexes on the contrast of MR images, but do not provide an accurate quantitative determination of the metal content in tissues. The use of magnetic fields of different strengths, SWI and QSM methods showed a good correlation of the measurement data with the iron content in various tissues in vitro and in some in vivo studies.

Authors: Yu. V. Bogachev, A. V. Nikitina, M. N. Shiskina

Direction: Physics

Keywords: Magnetic resonance (MR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), NMR relaxation, MRI techniques, magnetic susceptibility

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