Synopsis

The process of relaxation underlies the differential tissue contrast that allows us to identify pathological tissue, detect changes in brain activation, or quantify blood flow. By understanding and exploiting relaxation differences between tissues, novel imaging sequences can be devised to null particular signals, probe tissue microstructure, and generate novel tissue contrast. In this presentation we will examine the biophysical and physiological bases of relaxation. With this knowledge in hand, we will then examine how tissue contrast may be manipulated, and how they may be used to more vigorously examine aspects of tissue macro and micro-structure, organization, and physiology and function.