Does T1ρ Measure Proteoglycan Concentration in Cartilage?

This article is a review of various quantitative MRI methods for assessing cartilage. The authors address a concern regarding the interpretation of T1ρ mapping as an indirect measure of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in cartilage. While T1ρ has been correlated with GAG loss in some studies, it is important to recognize that variations in T1ρ values can also reflect changes in other tissue components, such as collagen structure. The authors suggest that attributing T1ρ changes solely to GAG alterations may misguide researchers and clinicians, and they encourage a more accurate understanding of the factors influencing T1ρ. [Extracted from the article]