Proton Density Contrast - Video Lesson

Hey, everybody. Welcome to today's lesson on MRI contrast. This lesson focuses on proton density contrast, including its significance as a contrast mechanism. Let's get started. Remember, contrast is the difference in brightness between different parts of a diagnostic image caused by differences in signal intensity. In MRI, proton density contrast generates differences in image brightness based on the concentration of hydrogen protons within different tissues. Essentially, tissues with a higher concentration of hydrogen protons will appear brighter on the MR image, while those with fewer protons will appear darker. Proton density is entirely independent of relaxation times and is inherent to the tissue. For example, the brain has high proton density due to its composition of mostly water and fat. Muscle and cortical bone.