Methods for quickly estimating apparent diffusion coefficient probability density functions (ADC PDFs) for each image voxel are provided using a “diffusion reproducibility evaluation and measurement” (DREAM) magnetic resonance sequence. Non-diffusion-weighted (reference) images collected simultaneously have blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) sensitivity that can be used for resting-state fMRI data to measure functional connectivity, an unbiased parameter reflecting neurological integrity. ADC coefficient of variation (ADC CV) measurements can be used to isolate and label regions of non-enhancing tumor and predict future enhancement independent of FLAIR, T2, or average ADC maps. Functional diffusion mapping (fDMs) using voxel-wise changes in ADC PDFs can be used to spatially visualize and statistically quantify response to treatment. Additionally, the temporal (time-resolved) diffusivity information can be used for real-time MR thermometry, which is useful for cancer treatment monitoring, and for microperfusion quantification, and tumor/tissue characterization.
Diffusion reproducibility evaluation and measurement (DREAM)-MRI imaging methods