Real-time temperature correction of quantitative postmortem magnetic resonance imaging

Background. Postmortem in situ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain offers a unique platform for performing postmortem validation of in vivo MRI techniques. However, the application of postmortem brain MRI is impaired by the temperature sensitivity of the quantitative MRI parameters. Our preliminary data questions the reliability of the usually applied body core temperature for correcting postmortem brain MRI and further indicates a linear relationship between the invasively measured brain temperature and the forehead temperature measured superficially.

Goal. This study aims at developing a reliable method for correcting the temperature dependence of postmortem quantitative brain MRI based on real-time non-invasive MR compatible measurements of the forehead temperature.

Methods and Expected Results. During the study recruitment period, deceased with an autopsy order will undergo an in situ postmortem MRI examination of the brain. Furthermore, the postmortem core, brain and forehead temperatures will be assessed for correlating the different temperatures with the brain relaxation and diffusion MRI parameters. I am therefore expecting fit results of the relations between the postmortem quantitative MRI parameters and the different temperatures, as well as results on the statistical significance of all performed analyses.

Importance. The assessment of the forehead temperature is no routine procedure and presents therefore an unconventional approach for correcting postmortem brain MRI. The planned study is of significant importance for neuroimaging research and will lay the foundation for future studies on postmortem validation of in vivo MRI. It can therefore be anticipated that this research project will have a high scientific impact in the neuroimaging and MRI physics communities.