SynthesisPloS one2024
Intensity scaling of conventional brain magnetic resonance images avoiding cerebral reference regions: A systematic review.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 6 citations in OpenAlex.
- Intensity scaling of conventional brain magnetic resonance images avoiding cerebral reference regions: A systematic review.PloS one · 2024Pooled it
- Evaluating the T1w/FLAIR ratio as a proxy for myelin: Associations with myelin water Imaging, diffusion metrics, and cognition.Neuroradiology · 2026Article
- Towards quantitative intensity analysis of conventional T1-weighted images in multiple sclerosis.NeuroImage · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundConventional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces image intensities that have an arbitrary scale, hampering quantification. Intensity scaling aims to overcome this shortfall. As neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders may affect all brain compartments, reference regions within the brain may be misleading. Here we summarize approaches for intensity scaling of conventional T1-weighted (w) and T2w brain MRI avoiding reference regions within the brain.
methodsLiterature was searched in the databases of Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. We included only studies that avoided reference regions within the brain for intensity scaling and provided validating evidence, which we divided into four categories: 1) comparative variance reduction, 2) comparative correlation with clinical parameters, 3) relation to quantitative imaging, or 4) relation to histology.
resultsOf the 3825 studies screened, 24 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Three studies used scaled T1w images, 2 scaled T2w images, and 21 T1w/T2w-ratio calculation (with double counts). A robust reduction in variance was reported. Twenty studies investigated the relation of scaled intensities to different types of quantitative imaging. Statistically significant correlations with clinical or demographic data were reported in 8 studies. Four studies reporting the relation to histology gave no clear picture of the main signal driver of conventional T1w and T2w MRI sequences.
conclusionsT1w/T2w-ratio calculation was applied most often. Variance reduction and correlations with other measures suggest a biologically meaningful signal harmonization. However, there are open methodological questions and uncertainty on its biological underpinning. Validation evidence on other scaling methods is even sparser.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.