T1ρ Dispersion Characterization by Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting

T1ρ dispersion is a potential biomarker that can characterize chemical exchange or diffusive exchange, complementary to other MR relaxometry parameters (e.g. T1, T2). However, T1ρ dispersion conventionally involves quantification of T1ρ at multiple spin-lock frequencies, which can require prohibitively long scan times and high radiofrequency pulse energy deposition. MR Fingerprinting (MRF) has been reported for quantification of T1ρ at a single spin-lock frequency. We propose a framework to enable T1ρ dispersion MRF data acquisition and reconstruction. We report initial simulation and real-world phantom results that demonstrate the feasibility of this MRF-based T1ρ dispersion characterization method.