Susceptibility-induced internal gradients reveal axon morphology and cause anisotropic effects in the diffusion-weighted MRI signal.

Diffusion-weighted MRI is our most promising method for estimating microscopic tissue morphology in vivo. The signal acquisition is based on scanner-generated external magnetic gradients. However, it will also be affected by susceptibility-induced internal magnetic gradients caused by interactions between the tissue and the static magnetic field of the scanner.

Digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work-process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain - A focus group study.

Background: Given the growing digitalization of healthcare and society, it becomes crucial to explore whether digital interactions with healthcare professionals, such as coaching, can offer effective support and contribute to an improved return-to-work process and a sustainable work environment for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Aim: To explore perceptions of digital coaching and its potential to support the return-to-work process for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Methods: Three focus group interviews consisting of 14 people-11 women and three men (with a mean age of 48 years)-were conducted.

Assessing tumor microstructure with time-dependent diffusion imaging: Considerations and feasibility on clinical MRI and MRI-Linac.

Background: Quantitative imaging biomarkers (QIBs) can characterize tumor heterogeneity and provide information for biological guidance in radiotherapy (RT). Time-dependent diffusion MRI (TDD-MRI) derived parameters are promising QIBs, as they describe tissue microstructure with more specificity than traditional diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI). Specifically, TDD-MRI can provide information about both restricted diffusion and diffusional exchange, which are the two time-dependent effects affecting diffusion in tissue, and relevant in tumors.

Tuned exchange imaging: Can the filter exchange imaging pulse sequence be adapted for applications with thin slices and restricted diffusion?

Filter exchange imaging (FEXI) is a double diffusion-encoding (DDE) sequence that is specifically sensitive to exchange between sites with different apparent diffusivities. FEXI uses a diffusion-encoding filtering block followed by a detection block at varying mixing times to map the exchange rate. Long mixing times enhance the sensitivity to exchange, but they pose challenges for imaging applications that require a stimulated echo sequence with crusher gradients.

Association of Cortical Lesions With Regional Glutamate, GABA, -Acetylaspartate, and Myoinositol Levels in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: Cortical lesions contribute to disability in multiple sclerosis (MS), but their impact on regional neurotransmitter levels remains to be clarified. We tested the hypothesis that cortical lesions are associated with regional glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations within the affected cortical region.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used structural 7T MRI to segment cortical lesions and 7T proton MR-spectroscopy of the bilateral sensorimotor hand areas to quantify regional GABA, glutamate, -acetylaspartate, and myoinositol concentrations in patients with MS (inclusion criteria: diagnosis of relapsing-remitting [RR] or secondary progressive MS [SPMS]; age 18-80 years) and age and sex-matched healthy controls.