Quantitative comparison of multi-echo spin echo and multi-echo gradient echo myelin water imaging in a panel of Mbp-enhancer edited mouse strains

Motivation: Accurately measuring myelin content in the brain is essential for understanding neurodevelopment and neuroinflammatory conditions. Traditional myelin imaging techniques, like multi-echo spin echo (MESE), are effective but can require long scan times. Goal(s): This study aimed to evaluate whether multi-echo gradient echo (mGRE) could reliably measure myelin water fraction (MWF) and serve as an alternative to MESE. Approach: We used mGRE and MESE imaging to assess MWF in wild-type and hypomyelinated mouse models. Comparisons were made using histological myelin markers as gold standard measures of myelin. Results: mGRE-derived MWF results were in excellent agreement with those obtained using MESE. Impact: This study establishes mGRE-based MWF as a reliable alternative to MESE, offering shorter scan times and improved resolution for myelin imaging in preclinical models. It advances the potential of myelin water imaging in translational research and future clinical applications.