Optimizing Diffusion Tractography Imaging with Clinically-Practical Acquisition Times on Portable, Low-Field MRI

Motivation: Portable, low-field MRI can improve the ease-of-access to neuroimaging and aid in detection of neurologic disorders. However, there is limited research on diffusion acquisition schemes and analysis of associated biomarkers for low-field MRI. Goal(s): Develop a low-field diffusion sequence with a clinically-viable acquisition time and validate scalar diffusion measures compared to high-field imaging. Approach: We recruited 11 healthy volunteers and performed both low- and high -field diffusion tensor imaging. We then compared diffusion measures across white matter bundles. Results: We observed underlying bias between low- and high -field counterparts, but there was high correlation between their respective diffusion measures in white matter tracts. Impact: Portable, low-field diffusion MRI could aid in the assessment of white matter integrity and diagnosis of neurologic disorders in regions/facilities lacking access to conventional MRI, and in clinically unstable patients unable to be transported to a centralized neuroimaging suite.