  Purpose: Eddy currents might lead to image distortions in diffusion weighted
echo planar imaging. A method is proposed to reduce their effects on double
diffusion encoding (DDE) MRI experiments and the thereby derived microscopic
fractional anisotropy (\mu FA) . Methods: The twice refocused spin echo scheme
was adapted for DDE measurements. To assess the effect of individual diffusion
encodings on the image distortions, measurements of a grid of plastic rods in
water were performed. The effect of eddy current compensation on \mu FA
measurements was evaluated in the brains of six healthy volunteers. Results:
The use of an eddy current compensation reduced the signal variation. As
expected, the distortions caused by the second encoding were larger than those
of the first encoding entailing a stronger need to compensate for them. For an
optimal result, however, both encodings had to be compensated. The artifact
reduction strongly improved the measurement of the \mu FA in ventricles and
grey matter by reducing the overestimation. An effect of the compensation on
absolute \mu FA values in white matter was not observed. Conclusion: It is
advisable to compensate both encodings in DDE measurements for eddy currents.
