The anatomical characteristics of the stria terminalis in the human brain: a diffusion tensor tractography study

The stria terminalis (ST) connects the amygdale (AM) with the hypothalamus, anterior commissure, preoptic area, and septal region. Many animal studies have reported on the anatomy and function of the ST; in contrast, little is known about its anatomy and function in the human brain. In the current study, we attempted to investigate the anatomical characteristics of the ST in the normal human brain, using diffusion tensor tractography. We recruited 30 healthy volunteers for this study. Diffusion tensor images were scanned using 1.5-T, and the ST was obtained using FMRIB software. Values of fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and tract volume of the ST were measured. STs passed from the AM to the anterior hypothalamus, through the region, around to the anterior margin of the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle, over the posterior and superior margin of the thalamus, behind the anterior commissure. No differences according to the side of the hemisphere and sex in terms of fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and tract volume of the ST (P<0.05) were observed. We identified the ST and observed the anatomical characteristics of the ST in the normal human brain. We believe that the methodology and results reported here would be helpful to researchers and clinicians in this field.