In vivo T1 mapping of neonatal brain tissue at 64 mT

• DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29509
• Publication Date: 2022-11-14T05:55:21Z
• Authors: Francesco Padormo; Paul Cawley; Louise Dillon; Emer Hughes; Jennifer Almalbis; Joanna Robinson; Alessandra Maggioni; Miguel De La Fuen...; Dan Cromb; Anthony Price; Lori Arlinghaus; John Pitts; Tianrui Luo; Dingtian Zhang; Sean C. L. Deoni; Steve Williams; Shaihan Malik; Jonathan O′Muirch...; Serena J. Counsell; Mary Rutherford; Tomoki Arichi; A. David Edwards; Joseph V. Hajnal
• Keywords: Brain tissue

Purpose Ultralow‐field (ULF) point‐of‐care MRI systems allow image acquisition without interrupting medical provision, with neonatal clinical care being an important potential application. The ability to measure brain tissue T 1 is a key enabling technology for subsequent structural contrast optimization, as well biomarker development. Here we describe optimized strategy mapping at ULF. Methods Examinations were performed on 64‐mT portable system. A phantom validation experiment was performed, and total of 33 in vivo exams acquired from 28 neonates postmenstrual age ranging 31 +4 49 +0 weeks. Multiple inversion‐recovery turbo spin‐echo sequences differing inversion repetition times. An analysis pipeline incorporating inter‐sequence motion correction generated proton density maps. Regions interest placed the cerebral deep gray matter, frontal white cerebellum. Weighted linear regression used predict function age. Results Reduction observed all measured tissue; change per week 95% confidence intervals given by dT = −21 ms/week [−25, −16] (cerebellum), −14 [−18, −10] (deep matter), −35 [−45, −25] (white matter). Conclusion Neonatal values ULF are shorter than those previously described standard field strengths, but longer adults reduces therefore candidate perinatal