Potential application of magnetization transfer-indirect spin labeling MRI for imaging multiple sclerosis at 3T

Motivation: MISL MRI in imaging the water exchange between CSF and brain tissue of human brain remains unexplored. Goal(s): This study aims to optimize the MISL MRI at clinical 3T and utilize it for imaging water exchange in multiple sclerosis (MS). Approach: Echo time was first optimized for MISL MRI, which was then applied for imaging 19 healthy controls (HCs) and 12 MS patients on a clinical 3T MRI scanner. Results: A TE of ≥140 ms is applicable for MISL MRI of human brain at 3T. MISL MRI detected a decreasing trend in water exchange tissue in MS patients. Impact: This study optimized the echo time for MISL MRI of human brain at clinical 3T. MISL MRI detected a decreasing trend in water exchange between CSF and brain tissue in MS patients, suggesting its potential for imaging neurological diseases.