Prof. Ingolf Sack, Helge Herthum, Dr. Stefan Hetzer | Magnetic resonance elastography of the brain

Brain magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an emerging imaging technique for the investigation of neurophysiological and neuropathological states on the basis of tissue mechanical parameters. In MRE, tissue motion in response to an applied external or internal excitation is acquired with a specialized MR phase-contrast pulse sequence. Tissue mechanical parameters are then reconstructed from the measured displacement. Quantitative characterization of brain mechanical behaviors provides us an insight into the brain structure and function by assessing the mechanical rigidity, viscosity, friction, and connectivity of brain tissues. Changes in these features are associated with inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration that contribute to brain disease onset and progression. In this talk we briefly outline the basic principles and future directions of brain MRE with an emphasis on the correlations of MRE with cerebral perfusion and micro structural changes.

Poster