Ratio of T1-weighted to T2-weighted signal intensity as a measure of tissue integrity: Comparison with magnetization transfer ratio in patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

The study aim was to compare the ratio of T1WI to T2WI signal intensity (T1/T2) with magnetization transfer ratio, a marker of myelin integrity, in patients with multiple sclerosis. A moderate correlation (r = 0.50, P= .034) was found between the magnetization transfer ratio and T1/T2 in normal-appearing gray matter, and a strong correlation for normal-appearing white matter (r = 0.63, P= .005) and lesions (r = 0.70, P= .001). Results suggest that besides myelin integrity, other factors may be playing a role in T1/T2 measures.