The T1 relaxation time (also called spin lattice or longitudinal relaxation time), is a biological parameter that is used in MRIs to distinguish between tissue types. This tissue-specific time constant for protons, is a measure of the time taken to realign with the external magnetic field. The T1 constant will indicate how quickly the spinning nuclei will emit their absorbed RF into the surrounding tissue.
As the high-energy nuclei relax and realign, they emit energy which is recorded to provide information about their environment. The realignment with the magnetic field is termed longitudinal relaxation and the time in milliseconds required for a certain percentage of the tissue nuclei to realign is termed 'Time 1' or T1. Starting from zero magnetization in the z direction, the z magnetization will grow after excitation from zero to a value of about 63% of its final value in a time of T1. This is the basic of T1 weighted images.
The T1 time is a contrast determining tissue parameter. Due to the slow molecular motion of fat nuclei, longitudinal relaxation occurs rather rapidly and longitudinal magnetization is regained quickly. The net magnetic vector realigns with B0 leading to a short T1 time for fat.
Water is not as efficient as fat in T1 recovery due to the high mobility of the water molecules. Water nuclei do not give up their energy to the lattice (surrounding tissue) as quickly as fat, and therefore take longer to regain longitudinal magnetization, resulting in a long T1 time.

See also T1 Weighted Image, T1 Relaxation, T2 Weighted Image, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI.

(AFP) Adiabatic fast passage is a NMR technique of producing rotation of the macroscopic magnetization vector by shifting the frequency of RF energy pulses (or the strength of the magnetic field) through resonance (the Larmor frequency) in a time short compared to the relaxation times. Particularly used for inversion of the spins between high and low energy states with an excess of spins in the higher energy level. A continuous wave NMR technique used in e.g., MR spectroscopy.

(bFFE) A FFE sequence using a balanced gradient waveform. A balanced sequence starts out with a RF pulse of 90° or less and the spins in the steady state. Before the next TR in the slice phase and frequency encoding, gradients are balanced so their net value is zero. Now the spins are prepared to accept the next RF pulse, and their corresponding signal can become part of the new transverse magnetization. Since the balanced gradients maintain the transverse and longitudinal magnetization, the result is, that both T1 and T2 contrast are represented in the image. This pulse sequence produces images with increased signal from fluid, along with retaining T1 weighted tissue contrast. Because this form of sequence is extremely dependent on field homogeneity, it is essential to run a shimming prior the acquisition. A fully balanced (refocused) sequence would yield higher signal, especially for tissues with long T2 relaxation times.

See Steady State Free Precession and Gradient Echo Sequence.

Phenomenological (classical) equations of motion for the macroscopic magnetization vector. They include the effects of precession about the magnetic field (static and RF) and the T1 and T2 relaxation times.

(Cr(III)-labeled RBC's) Chromium labeled red blood cells have paramagnetic properties and potential as an intravascular MRI contrast agent. The labeling with chromium decreases the relaxation times of packed red blood cells (RBCs). The use of RBCs in nuclear medicine suggests a low toxicity.

See also Contrast Agents, Intravascular Contrast Agents, Blood Pool Agents.