Magnetization transfer and frequency distribution effects in the SSFP ellipse

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) parameters can be extracted from steady‐state free‐precession (SSFP) data with no external T (1) map or banding artifacts. METHODS: SSFP images with multiple MT weightings were acquired and qMT parameters fitted with a two‐stage elliptical signal model. RESULTS: Monte Carlo simulations and data from a 3T scanner indicated that most qMT parameters could be recovered with reasonable accuracy. Systematic deviations from theory were observed in white matter, consistent with previous literature on frequency distribution effects. CONCLUSIONS: qMT parameters can be extracted from SSFP data alone, in a manner robust to banding artifacts, despite several confounds.