Sensitive and fast T1 mapping based on two inversion recovery images and a reference image

We developed a fast method to obtain T 1 relaxation maps in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) based on two inversion recovery acquisitions and a reference acquisition, while maintaining high sensitivity by utilizing the full dynamic range of the MRI signal. Optimal inversion times for estimating T 1 in the human brain were predicted using standard error propagation theory. In vivo measurements on nine healthy volunteers yielded T 1 values of 1094 ± 18 ms in gray matter and 746 ± 40 ms in white matter, in reasonable agreement with literature values using conventional approaches. The proposed method should be useful for clinical studies because the T 1 maps can be obtained within a few seconds.