Abstract

Abstract Variations in the intrinsic T 1 and T 2 relaxation times have been implicated in numerous neurologic conditions. Unfortunately, the low resolution and long imaging time associated with conventional methods have prevented T 1 and T 2 mapping from becoming part of routine clinical evaluation. In this study, the clinical applicability of the DESPOT1 and DESPOT2 imaging methods for high‐resolution, whole‐brain, T 1 and T 2 mapping was investigated. In vivo, 1‐mm 3 isotropic whole‐brain T 1 and T 2 maps of six healthy volunteers were acquired at 1.5 T with an imaging time of <17 min each. Isotropic maps (0.34 mm 3 ) of one volunteer were also acquired (time <21 min). Average signal‐to‐noise within the 1‐mm 3 T 1 and T 2 maps was ∼20 and ∼14, respectively, with average repeatability standard deviations of 46.7 ms and 6.7 ms. These results demonstrate the clinical feasibility of the methods in the study of neurologic disease. Magn Reson Med 53:237–241, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.