A torque balance measurement of anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility in white matter.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Recent MRI studies have suggested that the magnetic susceptibility of white matter (WM) in the human brain is anisotropic, providing a new contrast mechanism for the visualization of fiber bundles and allowing the extraction of cellular compartment-specific information. This study provides an independent confirmation and quantification of this anisotropy.

Methods

Anisotropic magnetic susceptibility results in a torque exerted on WM when placed in a uniform magnetic field, tending to align the WM fibers with the field. To quantify the effect, excised spinal cord samples were placed in a torque balance inside the magnet of a 7 T MRI system and the magnetic torque was measured as function of orientation.

Results

All tissue samples (n = 5) showed orienting effects

SUBMITTER: van Gelderen P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4431960 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature