Modelling an equivalent b-value in diffusion-weighted steady-state free precession

Purpose: Diffusion-weighted steady-state free precession (DW-SSFP) is shown to provide a means to probe non-Gaussian diffusion through manipulation of the flip angle. A framework is presented to define an effective b-value in DW-SSFP. Theory: The DW-SSFP signal is a summation of coherence pathways with different b-values. The relative contribution of each pathway is dictated by the flip angle. This leads to an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) estimate that depends on the flip angle in non-Gaussian diffusion regimes. By acquiring DW-SSFP data at multiple flip angles and modelling the variation in ADC for a given form of non-Gaussianity, the ADC can be estimated at a well-defined effective b-value. Methods: A gamma distribution is used to model non-Gaussian diffusion, embedded in the Buxton signal model for DW-SSFP. Monte-Carlo simulations of non-Gaussian diffusion in DW-SSFP and diffusion-weighted spin-echo (DW-SE) sequences are used to verify the proposed framework. Dependence of ADC on flip angle in DW-SSFP is verified with experimental measurements in a whole, human post-mortem brain. Results: Monte-Carlo simulations reveal excellent agreement between ADCs estimated with DW-SE and the proposed framework. Experimental ADC estimates vary as a function of flip angle over the corpus callosum of the postmortem brain, estimating the mean and standard deviation of the gamma distribution as $1.50\cdot 10^{-4} mm^2/s$ and $2.10\cdot 10^{-4} mm^2/s$. Conclusion: DW-SSFP can be used to investigate non-Gaussian diffusion by varying the flip angle. By fitting a model of non-Gaussian diffusion, the ADC in DW-SSFP can be estimated at an effective b-value, comparable to more conventional diffusion sequences.