Probing white-matter microstructure with higher-order diffusion tensors and susceptibility tensor MRI

Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience

Chunlei eLiu¹  Wei eLi¹  Nicole eMurphy¹ 

[1] Duke University;

关键词: Diffusion Tensor Imaging;    MRI;    white matter;    generalized diffusion tensor imaging;    susceptibility tensor imaging;    higher order tensor;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnint.2013.00011

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Diffusion MRI has become an invaluable tool for studying white matter microstructure and brain connectivity. The emergence of quantitative susceptibility mapping and susceptibility tensor imaging has provided another unique tool for assessing the structure of white matter. In the highly ordered white matter structure, diffusion MRI measures hindered water mobility induced by various tissue and cell membranes, while susceptibility sensitizes to the molecular composition and axonal arrangement. Integrating these two methods may produce new insights into the complex physiology of white matter. In this study, we investigated the relationship between diffusion and magnetic susceptibility in the white matter. Experiments were conducted on phantoms and human brains in vivo. Diffusion properties were quantified with the diffusion tensor model and also with the higher order tensor model based on the cumulant expansion. Frequency shift and susceptibility tensor were measured with quantitative susceptibility mapping and susceptibility tensor imaging. These diffusion and susceptibility quantities were compared and correlated in regions of single fiber bundles and regions of multiple fiber orientations. Relationships were established with similarities and differences identified. It is believed that diffusion MRI and susceptibility MRI provide complementary information of the microstructure of white matter. Together, they allow a more complete assessment of healthy and diseased brains.

【 授权许可】

Unknown