QSM source separation Reveals Iron Deposition in cerebral small vessel disease

Motivation: Abnormal iron and myelin distributions are associated with neurodegenerative diseases. QSM source separation, an advanced technique, can effectively distinguish paramagnetic iron and diamagnetic myelin contributions. Goal(s): To compare susceptibility values in deep nuclei between CSVD patients and healthy controls and disentangle paramagnetic iron and diamagnetic myelin contributions. Approach: Obtain total, positive and negative susceptibility values based on QSM source separation to assess iron deposition in deep nuclei in CSVD. Results: Higher positive susceptibility values observed in bilateral caudate, putamen, pallidum, accumbens, substantia nigra pars compacta, substantia nigra pars reticulata, and red nucleus in CSVD patients. Impact: In this study, we used QSM source separation to distinguish paramagnetic iron and diamagnetic myelin contributions, providing a strong theoretical basis and accuracy support for the existence of the phenomenon of iron deposition in deep nuclei in CSVD patients.