Signa hdx 1.5t mri scanner

The exclusion criteria for HUNT MRI were the same as those for standard MRI: i.e. ferromagnetic foreign body, weight >150 kg and claustrophobia. All participants were scanned in a 1.5 T General Electric Signa HDx 1.5 T MRI scanner equipped with an eight-channel head coil (GE Healthcare) and software version pre-14.0 M. T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MPRAGE) volume, transverse T2, T2*, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences, a time of flight threedimensional (3D) angio sequence, and diffusion-tensor imaging were obtained for each participant. The images were independently evaluated by two experienced neuroradiologists. Differences of opinion were resolved by consensus following discussion. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) were graded according to the Fazekas score (25) . The neuroradiologists were not provided with clinical information, but knew the participants' names and birth date. They were also able to access previous radiological assessments and clinical data in cases of abnormal findings. In addition, certain participants were interviewed by phone to verify a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, cerebral contusion, or progressive supranuclear palsy, and to differentiate between silent and clinical infarctions of the brain.