Validation of a High Contrast Technique and T1 Values Obtained by Divided Subtracted Inversion Recovery (dSIR)

Motivation: To validate a 2 point high contrast T1 technique using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) T1 phantom. Goal(s): Qualitative results produced by the divided subtracted IR (dSIR) images have been shown to give unprecedented T1 contrast in case studies of neuroinflammation [1]. The present study validates the theoretical mechanism of contrast in a standardized commercial T1 phantom. Approach: Experiments were performed at 1.5T to compare the empirical signal response versus the theoretical prediction in a phantom with known T1s. Results: The signal response was found to match the predicted bipolar variation very closely. Impact: Clinicians wishing to employ 2 point T1 estimation techniques can be satisfied that the results are grounded in theory and are quantitatively validated.