Sinyeob Ahn1, Daniel Huddleston2, Xiangchuan Chen1, Govind Bhagavatheeshwaran1, Xiaoping Hu1
1Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; 2Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
Neuromelanin pigment in locus coeruleus (LC) contributes to generation of image contrast. It decreases as neurodegeneration progresses in some pathological conditions such as Parkinsons disease. Neuromelanin-sensitive turbo spin echo (TSE) imaging has been used to generate neuromelanin contrast in recent years. TSE imaging with magnetization-transfer contrast (MTC) has been used to increase paramagnetic contrast. However, TSE imaging with MTC increases specific absorption rate (SAR). In this study, T1-weighted gradient echo imaging with MTC is examined for imaging LC of 5 participants while a reduced SAR is sought.