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Effects of cell volume fraction changes on apparent diffusion in human cells
A W Anderson1, J Xie, J Pizzonia
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, PO Box 208042, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8042, USA. adam.anderson@yale.edu
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
|August 10, 2000
Summary
Diffusion-weighted imaging reveals how apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) changes with cell volume fraction. Cell shrinkage and swelling significantly alter ADC in glial cells, while increased cell density dramatically reduces ADC in both glial and red blood cells.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a powerful MRI technique.
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) quantifies water diffusion within tissues.
- Understanding ADC's relationship with cellular properties is crucial for interpreting DWI data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and cell volume fraction.
- To determine how changes in cell volume and density affect ADC in different cell types.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was employed.
- Cell volume fraction was manipulated by altering extracellular fluid osmolarity (human glial cells) and cell density (human glial and red blood cells).
- ADC measurements were correlated with observed changes in cell volume and density.
Main Results:
- In packed glial cells, ADC increased 10% with cell shrinkage and decreased 13% with cell swelling.
- ADC decreased by 34% in glial cells as cell density rose from 0% to 72%.
- In erythrocyte suspensions, ADC dropped by 90% as cell density increased from 0% to 89%.
Conclusions:
- Cell volume fraction is a significant determinant of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).
- Observed changes in ADC align with theoretical predictions, validating the biophysical model.
- These findings enhance the interpretation of DWI in biological systems with varying cellularity.