Motivation: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) typically requires multiple signal averaging to mitigate low signal strength, posing a challenge for rapid DTI, especially when high spatial resolutions is desired. Goal(s): This study targets a DTI resolution of 0.5 mm in-plane with the shortest possible scan time. Approach: Averaging at different resolutions on a high-performance 7T scanner and denoising were utilized for fast and high-quality DTI. Results: Mesoscopic resolution DTI with 0.5 mm resolution is possible within 10 minutes; adding denoising reduces scan time to 3 minutes. Impact: Fast and high-quality DTI with mesoscopic in-plane resolution (0.5 mm) is possible on a high-performance human 7T scanner within 3 minutes. The protocol can screen the entire brain swiftly for pathological tissues.
Tung et al. (Tue,) studied this question.