Inter-scanner consistency of T1 map and proton spin density map derived from strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) imaging

Recently, strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) imaging has been developed as a potential standardized brain imaging protocol. STAGE is designed to use two 3D fully flow compensated multi-echo SWI sequences with 2 different flip angles (FAs). We evaluated the inter-scanner consistency of T1 values and proton spin density (PSD) values derived from STAGE imaging for elderly healthy volunteers. We conducted VOI analysis both in Native space and “Mutual space” using AAL3 VOIs. Parcellation was automatically performed with few manipulations, and good ICC and minimal biases were demonstrated between the two scanners.