Susceptibility Mapping of Human Brain Reflects Spatial Variation in Tissue Composition

Wei Li¹, Bing Wu¹, Chunlei Liu^1,2

A novel susceptibility mapping method is developed, which is based on two complementary equations, i.e., the Fourier relationship between phase and susceptibility, and its k-space first-order derivatives. This method allows high quality susceptibility mapping of human brain in vivo. The resultant susceptibility maps allow excellent visualization of deep nuclei and white matter fiber bundles, which reflects spatial variation in tissue composition, especially iron and myelin distribution. This method is robust and efficient, thus providing a convenient tool for routine susceptibility mapping for the study of brain physiology and neurological diseases.