Jasper M. Morrow1,
Christopher D.J. Sinclair1, 2, Arne Fischmann3,
Mary M. Reilly1, Michael G. Hanna1, Tarek A. Yousry1,
2, John S. Thornton1, 2
1MRC
Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London,
England, United Kingdom; 2Academic Neuroradiological Unit, UCL Institute
of Neurology, London, England, United Kingdom; 3Department of
Radiology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
We performed quantitative MR at 3T in lower limbs of 47 volunteers to investigate the relationship between MR parameters and subject demographics. Transverse maps of fat-fraction (3-point Dixon), T2 time (dual-echo TSE) and magnetisation transfer ratio were analysed at calf and thigh level. Significant positive correlations between age and muscle fat-fraction/T2 time and negative correlation between age and muscle MTR were seen. Weight showed correlation at thigh level only whilst gender didnt exert a major influence. The magnitude of variation was small compared with expected pathological changes, strengthening the potential utility of MR parameters as outcome measures in neuromuscular diseases.