Abstract

Motivation: Water-referenced metabolite quantification in MRS often relies upon fixed water-relaxation reference times, ignoring differences in relaxation across the brain and lifespan. Goal(s): To develop a water relaxometry atlas to integrate location- and age-appropriate relaxation values into the MRS analysis workflow. Approach: DESPOT was used to collected quantitative T1 and T2 images in a cohort of 52 subjects aged 20-70 years old, and morphed to standard-space to generate a relaxometry aging atlas. We also perform a parcel-wise assessment of age-related relaxation changes. Results: The high-resolution water relaxometry aging atlas indicates significant changes in water relaxometry across the lifespan in many brain regions. Impact: Access to whole-brain relaxometry reference values, with appropriate consideration of aging, is vital to accurate water-referenced metabolite quantification in MRS.