Improved chemical exchange detection using magnetization transfer (MT) effect independent composite metric (R2-R1rho): a preliminary study

Motivation: Composite metric R2-R1rho (1/T2–1/T1rho) could be utilized for probing chemical exchange.. However, a persistent challenge lies in the confounding influences of magnetization transfer (MT) effects on R2, which was not fully discussed in literatures. Goal(s): In this study, we reported our investigation on this effect and proposed an acquisition strategy to improve the specificity of the composite metric (R2-R1rho) to thethe chemical exchange effect. Approach: We demonstrated our findings and the proposed method using simulation, phantom, and in vivo experiments. Results: From our preliminary results, composite metric (R2-R1rho) to detect chemical exchange without the influence from magnetization transfer effect. Impact: Using improved composite metric (R2-R1rho) to detect chemical exchange without the influence from magnetization transfer effect.