Estimating distributed anatomical connectivity using fast marching methods and diffusion tensor imaging

A method is presented for determining paths of anatomical connection between regions of the brain using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor information. Level set theory, applied using fast marching methods, is used to generate three-dimensional time of arrival maps, from which connection paths between brain regions may be identified. The method is demonstrated in the normal brain and it is shown that major white matter tracts may be elucidated and that multiple connections and tract branching are allowed. Maps of connectivity between brain regions are also determined. Four options are described for estimating the degree of connectivity between regions.