Deep-learning-accelerated T1-MPRAGE MRI for quantification and visual grading of cerebral volume in memory loss patients.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate a physics-based deep-learning-accelerated super-resolution T1-weighted MPRAGE sequence (DL-MPRAGE) against standard 3-dimensional T1-weighted MPRAGE (STD-MPRAGE) for quantitative and qualitative regional cortical volume assessment.

Materials and methods: This prospective single-center study included patients undergoing evaluation for memory loss on 3T MRI scanners (MAGNETOM Vida, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany) from October 2023 to January 2024. The absolute symmetrized percent change in cortical volume and thickness was assessed on DL- and STD-MPRAGE images using the FreeSurfer brain segmentation algorithm. Bland-Altman analysis evaluated the agreement in volumetrics for each anatomical region. Additionally, 2 blinded radiologists independently qualitatively rated image quality metrics and cortical volume loss for anatomical regions based on standardized scales.

Results: A total of 64 participants (29 women [45%], mean age 62 years ±16 [SD]) were evaluated. DL-MPRAGE increased spatial resolution from 1 mm to 0.5 mm while reducing scan time by more than half (2:11 vs. 5:21). Mean regional volumes for DL-MPRAGE were systematically lower than for STD-MPRAGE (eg, 17 226 ± 2011 vs. 17 923 ± 2185 mm³, corresponding to an absolute difference between the means of 697 mm³, for the cingulate gyrus, P < .004). Corresponding absolute symmetrized percent change values averaged 2.8% across brain regions, with the largest mean value being 5.08% for the cingulate gyrus. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated high agreement in quantitative measurements for both volume and thickness. On reader assessment, DL-MPRAGE was noninferior to STD-MPRAGE across image quality metrics (P < .01) and equivalent in assessing volume loss.

Conclusions: DL-MPRAGE offers quantitatively and qualitatively equivalent volumetric estimation compared to STD-MPRAGE while improving spatial resolution and acquisition speed for patients undergoing evaluation for memory loss.