Optimization of diffusion imaging for multiple target regions using maximum likelihood estimation

Abstract

In this work a procedure is proposed to determine an optimal distribution of b-values in diffusion MRI measu-rements. The optimization procedure uses a method of Maximum Likelihood Estimation which can operate on any given number of b-values, values of the diffusion coefficients (ADC) and measurement noise strengths. Optimal b-values are calculated for white and gray brain matter. An optimi-zation for more than one ADC is demonstrated using multiple target values.

Keywords

• diffusion mri
• maximum likelihood analysis
• mri protocol optimization