Use of the Allen Human Brain spatial transcriptome for the validation of myelin content imaging using BMC-mcDESPOT.

Motivation: Myelin water imaging has demonstrated its ability to successfully detect changes of myelin content in different neuropathology. However, the validation of these measures remains challenging. Goal(s): In this study, we aim to validate our MWF measurements with the gene expression that are relevant to myelin. Approach: We utilized the Allen Human Brain Atlas (AHBA) transcriptomics dataset to validate our Myelin Water Fraction (MWF) measurements. We correlated the aggregated gene expression from AHBA with our derived MWF for different brain regions. Results: Our results demonstrate strong correlations of gene expression related to myelin and the transcription of myelin with derived MWF measurements. Impact: We utilized transcriptomics to validate derived Myelin Water Fraction measures, which strongly correlated with the gene expression specific to myelin. The use of transcriptomics further supports on the molecular basis of myelin synthesis and transcriptional changes with aging.