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Multicenter R 2 * mapping in the healthy brain
Author(s) -
Ropele Stefan,
Wattjes Mike P.,
Langkammer Christian,
Kilsdonk Iris D.,
Graaf Wolter L.,
Frederiksen Jette L,
Fuglø Dan,
Yiannakas Marios,
WheelerKingshott Claudia A. M.,
Enzinger Christian,
Rocca Maria A.,
Sprenger Till,
Amman Michael,
Kappos Ludwig,
Filippi Massimo,
Rovira Alex,
Ciccarelli Olga,
Barkhof Frederik,
Fazekas Franz
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.24772
Subject(s) - multicenter study , brain mapping , computer science , medicine , radiology , randomized controlled trial
Purpose TheR 2 *relaxation rate constant has been suggested as a sensitive measure for iron accumulation. The aim of this multi‐center study was to assess the inter‐scanner and inter‐subject variability ofR 2 *mapping and to investigate the relationship between brain volume andR 2 *in specific structures. MethodsR 2 *mapping was performed in 81 healthy subjects in seven centers using different 3 T systems.R 2 *was calculated from a dual‐echo gradient echo sequence and was assessed in several deep gray matter structures. The inter‐scanner and inter‐subject variability ofR 2 *was calculated by means of the coefficient of variation before and after correcting for age. Results Significant center effects were seen in some regions which get lost after age correction. The coefficient of variation for the inter‐center variability was much lower (<5.6%) than for the intra‐subject variability (6.7%–11.7%).R 2 *in the putamen and red nucleus scaled with cortical volume whileR 2 *in the globus pallidus and the substantia nigra was negatively associated with white matter volume. ConclusionR 2 *is a robust and reproducible measure in a multicenter setting provided that a standardized MRI protocol is used. The relationship between iron concentration in deep gray matter and volume of specific brain compartments needs further investigation. Magn Reson Med 71:1103–1107, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.