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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Diffusion tensor imaging in polymicrogyria: a report of three cases
R Trivedi1, R K Gupta, K M Hasan
1MR Section, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP 226014, India.
Neuroradiology
|April 12, 2006
Summary
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed microstructural white matter abnormalities in polymicrogyria (PMG) patients. These subtle changes, not visible on MRI, indicate underlying neuronal migration disorder issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- White Matter Disorders
Background:
- Polymicrogyria (PMG) is a neuronal migration disorder often presenting with seizures.
- Conventional MRI may not detect subtle white matter abnormalities in PMG.
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) can reveal microstructural white matter changes.
Observation:
- DTI was performed on three PMG patients and eight healthy controls.
- Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and Mean Diffusivity (MD) values were analyzed in cortical and subcortical white matter.
- Analysis focused on white matter adjacent to polymicrogyric cortex.
Findings:
- Significantly reduced FA in subcortical white matter beneath PMG cortex compared to controls.
- No significant change in Mean Diffusivity (MD) in the subcortical white matter.
- Increased MD and decreased FA observed within the polymicrogyric cortex itself.
Implications:
- Decreased FA in subjacent white matter suggests microstructural alterations in PMG.
- These changes may be attributed to ectopic neurons within the white matter.
- DTI offers a sensitive method for detecting PMG-related white matter pathology.
