High Resolution R1rho Dispersion Imaging in Swine Spinal Cord: A Specimen Study

Motivation: R1rho imaging can provide novel information on dynamic processes within tissues, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of the parameters of chemical exchange and/or intrinsic microstructure. Goal(s): To examine the feasibility of R1rho imaging in spinal cord. Approach: We performed high resolution R1rho imaging in the swine spinal cord of swine spine specimens. Results: The results showed that the dispersion is measurable in both spinal white matter and gray matter, suggesting that R1rho dispersion may have potential to characterize the de/remyelination and nerve injuries/repairs in neurological disorders. Impact: The study suggested that R1rho dispersion is measurable in spinal cord, which may have potential to characterize the de/remyelination and nerve injuries/repairs in spinal cord disorders.