In quantitative volumetric MRI 124 sequential slices of the brain are acquired. These images together create a 3d image of the brain which can be used for measuring volume (in cm3) of different brain structures, white matter volume, grey matter volume (at left) etc.
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Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
What is Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)?
Unlike MRI, which provides high-resolution images of brain anatomy primarily using signals from brain water and lipids, proton MRS suppresses these high background signals in order to measure the concentration of the major brain neurotransmitters and metabolites. Proton MRS has been shown to be a valuable tool in seizure disorders, metabolic and mitochondrial disorders, childhood neurodegenerative disorders, hypoxic/ischemic insults and many neuropsychiatric disorders.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging
In Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI), multiple spectra are acquired simultaneously from four brain slices. This allows for analysis of multiple brain regions after a single MR scan. Due to differences in sequence, an MRSI exam obtains information for only Cho, Cr, NA and Lactate (if present), mI and Glx peaks are not obtained.



Spectroscopic imaging also allows the production of neurochemical maps, which show the signal intensities of the neurochemicals NA, Cho and Cr.


 

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
In Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Images are obtained using BOLD (blood oxygenation level dependent) contrast. BOLD uses the difference in magnetic properties of hemoglobin in oxygenated state vs. deoxygenated state. Differences in oxygenation are representative of the activity in many areas of the brain as more active areas will require more oxygen than less active areas.



Above: An FMRI image demonstrating limbic activation with caffeine infusion and a time course plot from an activated pixel in the amygdala.