In vivo proton spin‐lattice relaxation times of normal and dystrophic muscles

In vivo spin‐lattice relaxation times ( T 1 ) of water and lipid protons were measured in normal and dystrophic chicken pectoralis muscles at different ages. Values were obtained with a surface coil used as both a receiver and a transmitter. A 2θ‐T 1 ‐θ‐Acquisition sequence was used for these measurments. Accuracy was verified with an inversion‐recovery method using a slotted tube resonator as the transmitter and a surface coil as the receiver. It was observed that (1) the T 1 values of water protons in normal muscles decrease with age, (2) the T 1 values of water protons do not change with age in dystrophic muscles, and (3) the T 1 values of lipid protons increase with age in normal and dystrophic muscles. These results indicate a failure of the normal maturation of dystrophic muscles. © 1987 Academic Press, Inc.