Improved diffusion parameter estimation by incorporating T relaxation properties into the DKI-FWE model.

The free water elimination (FWE) model and its kurtosis variant (DKI-FWE) can separate tissue and free water signal contributions, thus providing tissue-specific diffusional information. However, a downside of these models is that the associated parameter estimation problem is ill-conditioned, necessitating the use of advanced estimation techniques that can potentially bias the parameter estimates. In this work, we propose the T-DKI-FWE model that exploits the T relaxation properties of both compartments, thereby better conditioning the parameter estimation problem and providing, at the same time, an additional potential biomarker (the T of tissue).