Diffusion-tensor MR imaging and tractography: exploring brain microstructure and connectivity.

Radiology

Department of Radiology, Sections of Neuroradiology and Biomedical Image Analysis, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Published: November 2007

Diffusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is evolving into a potent tool in the examination of the central nervous system. Although it is often used for the detection of acute ischemia, evaluation of directionality in a diffusion measurement can be useful in white matter, which demonstrates strong diffusion anisotropy. Techniques such as diffusion-tensor imaging offer a glimpse into brain microstructure at a scale that is not easily accessible with other modalities, in some cases improving the detection and characterization of white matter abnormalities. Diffusion MR tractography offers an overall view of brain anatomy, including the degree of connectivity between different regions of the brain. However, optimal utilization of the wide range of data provided with directional diffusion MR measurements requires careful attention to acquisition and postprocessing. This article will review the principles of diffusion contrast and anisotropy, as well as clinical applications in psychiatric, developmental, neurodegenerative, neoplastic, demyelinating, and other types of disease.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2452060445DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

diffusion-tensor imaging
8
brain microstructure
8
white matter
8
diffusion
6
imaging tractography
4
tractography exploring
4
brain
4
exploring brain
4
microstructure connectivity
4
connectivity diffusion
4

Similar Publications

Background And Objectives: Cognitive deficits represent a major long-term complication of anti-leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated 1 encephalitis (LGI1-E). Although severely affecting patient outcomes, the structural brain changes underlying these deficits remain poorly understood. In this study, we hypothesized a link between white matter (WM) networks and cognitive outcomes in LGI1-E.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Objectives: Understanding and managing seizure activity is crucial in neuro-oncology, especially for highly epileptogenic lesions like isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas. Advanced MRI techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) have been used to describe microstructural changes associated with epilepsy. However, their role in tumor-related epilepsy (TRE) remains unclear.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Different Imaging Evaluating Performances Between Glymphatic System and Motor Symptoms and Levodopa Responsiveness of Parkinson Disease.

J Comput Assist Tomogr

January 2025

Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen.

Background And Purpose: Parkinson disease (PD) is defined by its unique motor symptoms, where responsiveness to levodopa (L-DOPA) is fundamental for management. Recent research has highlighted a significant relationship between PD symptoms and glymphatic dysfunction. This study endeavors to clarify the connection between glymphatic system functionality and initial motor symptoms in PD, utilizing imaging biomarkers to determine its predictive capacity for L-DOPA responsiveness (LR).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Investigating time-independent and time-dependent diffusion phenomena using steady-state diffusion MRI.

Sci Rep

January 2025

Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Diffusion MRI is a leading method to non-invasively characterise brain tissue microstructure across multiple domains and scales. Diffusion-weighted steady-state free precession (DW-SSFP) is an established imaging sequence for post-mortem MRI, addressing the challenging imaging environment of fixed tissue with short T and low diffusivities. However, a current limitation of DW-SSFP is signal interpretation: it is not clear what diffusion 'regime' the sequence probes and therefore its potential to characterise tissue microstructure.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose Of Review: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a highly heterogeneous condition with a wide choice of successful treatment options. However, differences between subtypes are poorly understood and it remains unknown which patients will respond to different treatments. This review aims to summarize the current state of the TN field and explore the problem of predicting surgical outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!