Rapid Mapping of Myelin Fraction Using Interleaved Multi-Echo UTE Acquisitions

Motivation: Myelin plays a critical role in brain function. It is important to quantify myelin in human brain. Goal(s): To develop a fast myelin fraction estimation technique that incorporates two interleaved multi-echo UTE acquisitions. Approach: An interleaved 3D UTE multi-echo acquisition scheme was employed to capture signals from the short T2 myelin and long T2 water components. Myelin and water fractions were estimated using a bi-component fitting of UTE signal decay. Results: Bicomponent T2* analysis of UTE signals detects T2*s and fractions of the ultrashort T2 component (myelin) and the long T2 component (intra-extra cellular water). Impact: The interleaved multi-echo UTE acquisition scheme allows rapid estimation of myelin fraction, which may be a useful biomarker to assess demyelination in various neurodegenerative conditions.