Motion-compensated diffusion encoding gradients for segmented thick-slab 3D magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain.

This proof-of-concept shows that first and second order moment nulling may be a viable avenue for enabling 3D diffusion imaging. At higher slice numbers the SNR3D is expected to clearly surpass corresponding SNR2D. However, further investigation into echo time reduction and correction of residual phase variations is needed before the 3D approach is viable for translation into a clinical setting. Specifically, with higher gradient strength shorter echo times can be realized. Moreover, this reduces third and higher order gradient moments and associated residual phase shifts.