Super-resolution reconstruction of MR image sequences with contrast modeling

Quantitative MR imaging experiments (e.g., to measure relaxation and diffusion properties of tissues) often require image sequences with different contrast in each frame. However, high-resolution acquisition of each frame can lead to prohibitively long experiments. In this work, we investigate the possibility of utilizing a parametric contrast model to synthesize high-resolution information. Theoretical analysis and empirical evidence indicates that this kind of super-resolution can be possible, though robustness is dependent on a number of factors (e.g., the contrast model and the experiment design). In particular, it is found that conventional low-frequency sampling leads to significant information loss, but that alternative experiments can overcome this limitation. Experimental results are shown in the context of T₂ ^* relaxation mapping.