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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Forensic application of postmortem diffusion-weighted and diffusion tensor MR imaging of the human brain in situ
E Scheurer1, K-O Lovblad, R Kreis
1Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical-Forensic Imaging, Graz, Austria. eva.scheurer@cfi.lbg.ac.at
Background And Purpose:
DWI and DTI of the brain have proved to be useful in many neurologic disorders and in traumatic brain injury. This prospective study aimed at the evaluation of the influence of the PMI and the cause of death on the ADC and FA for the application of DWI and DTI in forensic radiology.
Materials And Methods:
DWI and DTI of the brain were performed in situ in 20 deceased subjects with mapping of the ADC and FA. Evaluation was performed in different ROIs, and the influence of PMI and cause of death was assessed.
Results:
Postmortem ADC values of the brain were decreased by 49%-72% compared with healthy living controls. With increasing PMI, ADCs were significantly reduced when considering all ROIs together and, particularly, GM regions (all regions, P < .05; GM, P < .01), whereas there was no significant effect in WM. Concerning the cause of death, ADCs were significantly lower in mechanical and hypoxic brain injury than in brains from subjects having died from heart failure (traumatic brain injury, P < .005; hypoxia, P < .001). Postmortem FA was not significantly different from FA in living persons and showed no significant influence of PMI or cause of death.
Conclusions:
Performing postmortem DWI and DTI of the brain in situ can provide valuable information for application in forensic medicine. ADC could be used as an indicator of PMI and could help in the assessment of the cause of death.
Insights
Postmortem diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the brain show that apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values decrease with postmortem interval (PMI) and can indicate cause of death, aiding forensic radiology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Forensic Radiology
- Diffusion MRI
Background:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are valuable in neurological disorders and traumatic brain injury.
- Their application in forensic radiology requires understanding postmortem changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of postmortem interval (PMI) and cause of death on ADC and FA values.
- To assess the utility of DWI and DTI in forensic radiology.
Main Methods:
- In situ DWI and DTI of the brain were performed on 20 deceased subjects.
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were mapped in various regions of interest (ROIs).
- The impact of PMI and cause of death on ADC and FA was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Postmortem brain ADC values were significantly lower (49%-72%) than in living controls.
- ADC decreased significantly with increasing PMI, especially in gray matter (GM) regions.
- ADC was significantly lower in mechanical/hypoxic brain injury compared to heart failure deaths.
- Postmortem FA showed no significant difference from living individuals and was unaffected by PMI or cause of death.
Conclusions:
- In situ postmortem DWI and DTI of the brain offer valuable forensic information.
- ADC can serve as an indicator of PMI and assist in determining the cause of death.
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