Modelling Magnetization Transfer Considering Spin-Locking Effects

Purpose: Recently it was demonstrated that spin-locking (SL) effects can manifest as pseudo magnetization transfer (MT). To our best knowledge the MT models proposed so far cannot distinguish between saturation effects caused by the MT preparation pulses and SL phenomena. Therefore a new MT model is proposed. Materials and Methods: A binary spin-bath model for magnetization transfer was extended in that sense that SL effects are considered. The new modified spin bath model was tested for a phantom with different agar concentrates (2%, 4%, 8%) and a MnCl₂ (0.3 mM) solution. Results: The mean fitting error is 3.2 times lower for the modified model compared to the original model. Especially the parameter F for the fractional part of the bounded proton pool describes the situation for the MnCl₂ (F = 0) better than the original model (F = 0.004). Conclusion: The proposed mathematical modifications of the binary spin-bath model considering SL seem to be a step in the right direction in that sense that the effects associated with SL are not interpreted as magnetization transfer.