Synopsis

Keywords: Neuro: Brain, Contrast mechanisms: Relaxometry

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) expands upon traditional MRI by providing specific physical parameters, like proton density, relaxation rates, diffusion properties of water nuclear spins. These parameters reveal details about local microstructural environments (e.g., brain myelin and iron). Non-invasive in vivo histology via MRI (hMRI) seeks to directly characterize tissue microstructure, potentially replacing or complementing invasive histology. Understanding tissue contrast from hMRI requires biophysical models. This talk explores concepts, models, and validation methods in this area, highlighting challenges and recent progress with the focus on myelin and iron-induced contrasts in the human brain.