Identification and quantification of imaging biomarkers sensitive to iron are important in understanding neurodegenerative disorders and aging. In this study, we introduce a microstructural parameter, $$$\delta\Omega^{2}$$$, the Larmor frequency variance, measured from the curvature in the logarithm of the signal from a 3D multiecho gradient echo sequence. Non-monoexponential relaxation originates from magnetic field perturbations due to the presence of mesoscopic susceptibility sources such as cellular-level iron. Our results in 26 healthy subjects show a strong linear correlation between $$$\delta\Omega^{2}$$$ and published values for iron concentration in deep gray matter regions, suggesting its potential as an imaging biomarker for iron.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.