Inferring Axon Properties with Double-PGSE MRI Using Analytical Water Diffusion Model

Wenjin Zhou¹, David H. Laidlaw¹

We present an analytical water diffusion model for inferring axon properties using double-PGSE MRI accounting for finite gradient pulses. Our estimation results demonstrate the feasibility of revealing axon properties including axon caliber using this approach. The model utilizes the signal intensity dependency on two gradient-pair direction variation to compensate for high-q requirement in single-PGSE experiments. Since many gradient directions can be acquired in rather short time on the current MRI scanner, this approach may suggest potential for clinical axonal-property estimation.