MWI

MWI generates quantitative myelin water imaging metrics and normative atlases of the cervical spinal cord using multiecho T2 myelin water imaging to quantify myelin water fraction and intra-/extracellular T2 properties.

Key Features:

• Quantitative Myelin Water Fraction (MWF): Provides voxel-level measurements of myelin water fraction as an indicator of myelin integrity and density within the cervical spinal cord.
• Geometric Mean T2 (IEGMT2) Metrics: Calculates intra- and extracellular water mobility using geometric mean T2 (IEGMT2) metrics.
• Normative Atlases Creation: Creates normative atlases from 20 healthy individuals by coregistering and averaging T2 metrics to represent population mean and variation of MWF and IEGMT2.
• Anatomical Consistency: Produces atlases that align with known anatomical characteristics of the spinal cord.
• Pathology Detection via Voxel-wise z-score Maps: Generates voxel-wise z-score maps for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) participants to identify deviations from normative values.

Scientific Applications:

• Reference Standardization: Serves as normative references for cervical spinal cord MWF and IEGMT2 to standardize MRI interpretation across studies.
• Disease Diagnosis and Monitoring: Identifies deviations from normative values to aid diagnosis and monitoring of myelin-related diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
• Research Tool: Provides atlases for comparative analyses and longitudinal studies of spinal cord anatomy and pathology.

Methodology:

Acquires multiecho T2 data at 3 Tesla (3T) from healthy controls and RRMS participants; collects anatomical data to support image segmentation and registration; creates normative atlases by coregistering and averaging control T2 metrics; computes voxel-wise z-score maps comparing participants to the normative atlases.