Determining the Relationship between DTI and MR Elastography Metrics in Highly Anisotropic White Matter Structures at 7T

Motivation: Changes in the relationship between MRE and DTI metrics in small white matter structures could indicate alterations in brain microstructure due to white matter damage. Goal(s): This study aims to determine correlations between metrics measured by MRE and DTI at 7T in the healthy human brain. Approach: MRE and DTI acquisitions were performed on 14 young, healthy volunteers at 7T, and Shear Stiffness, Damping Raio, FA and RD were calculated for each person. Results: Significant correlations were found in small, highly anisotropic, brain regions between Shear Stiffness or Damping Raio and FA or RD. Impact: The high resolutions achieved at 7T for both MRE and DTI allow us to investigate microstructural relationships in small, highly-anisotropic, brain regions. Changes in these metrics or relationships between these metrics could indicate alterations in microstructure integrity, suggesting potential damage.