With respect to these other techniques, T1-w/T2-w had consistently high values, as well as low inter-subject variability, in brain structures where myelin is most abundant. We also assessed the reliability and specificity of the ratio image compared to other MR-based techniques, such as magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), fractional anisotropy (FA), and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR).

Not only did the calibrated T1-w/T2-w images exhibit a comparable intensity range, but also the shape of the intensity histograms was largely corresponding. Quantitative comparisons of image histograms within and across different datasets confirmed the effectiveness of our normalization procedure. This permits standardizing the intensity histogram of the ratio image, thereby allowing for across-subject statistical analyses. The hallmark of our approach is a retrospective calibration algorithm, applied to bias-corrected T1-w and T2-w images, that relies on image intensities outside the brain. The workflow allows whole brain mapping using the T1-w/T2-w technique, which was originally introduced as a non-invasive method for assessing cortical myelin content. Specifically, we developed a processing workflow based on T1-w and T2-w MR data to generate an optimized myelin enhanced contrast image. Here we attempted to provide a potential solution.

3Laboratory of Movement Control and Neuroplasticity, Department of Kinesiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, BelgiumДespite recent advancements in MR imaging, non-invasive mapping of myelin in the brain still remains an open issue.

2Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

1Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, Department of Heath Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Marco Ganzetti 1,2, Nicole Wenderoth 1,3 and Dante Mantini 1,2 *

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