Meeting Banner
Abstract #3361

Gradient-Echo Imaging of Ionic Currents in Solution

Mukund Balasubramanian1, Padma Sundaram1, William M. Wells, III2, Robert V. Mulkern1, Darren B. Orbach1

1Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; 2Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States

Understanding the behavior of ionic volume currents in the presence of strong magnetic fields could assist efforts to use functional MRI to detect epileptiform discharges, especially when these discharges occur near cerebrospinal fluid spaces such as the lateral ventricles. However, studies on this topic are controversial: two competing mechanisms have been proposed to account for the behavior of these currentsthe Lorentz effect model and the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model. Here, we address this controversy by directly testing the MHD hypothesis using an ionic current phantom and currents of varying duration. Our results provide experimental support for the MHD hypothesis.

Keywords

accounting address albeit allowed amplitude apparent applied array arrows assist behavior black blue bottle bottom boundary briefly cable capillary central channel characteristic children clear coil competing computed conductivity connected consisting construction controversial controversy correlation course curves dashed density depend dependence described detect develop diameter direct discard discharges displacement drag drift duration efforts electrodes equipped especially exhibit expected experimental experimentally explain extended field fields fifteen five flow fluid force furthermore future generator glass gradient hospital hypothesis incorporating indicate indicated inner inserted inside ionic laboratories largely lasted lateral limitations literature magnitude maps matrix mechanisms middle model near negligible occur outer outside pattern phantom plastic positive predicted prediction previously properties proposed radiology ranging realistic receive removed resistor respectively room running saline scanner schematic schematically section series setup shortest silver simple since slice slices solution spaces spatial square strengths strong studied studies support taken takes term trends tube tubes unaffected understanding varying volume weaker women