MR Fingerprinting Enables Quantitative Measures of Basal Ganglia TissueRelaxation Times and Myelin Water Fraction in Parkinson's Disease

Motivation: The diagnosis and monitoring of PD present formidable challenges due to the absence of objective and specific indicators. Goal(s): Our objective is to demonstrate the potential of MRF in improving PD diagnosis and monitoring, offering a more precise and objective assessment for the benefit of patients. Approach: MRF sequences were used to quantitative brain tissue properties. By employing partial least squares and Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, we explored MRF's potential in distinguishing PD and assessing disease severity. Results: MRF sequences yield objective and quantifiable metrics for differentiation and severity assessment in PD patients. Impact: By providing reliable objective and quantifiable metrics, the use of MRF enhances the accuracy and reliability of PD assessment, leading to more precise interventions. This has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.