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Advanced Diffusion Imaging in The Hippocampus of Rats with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 14, 2019
High spatial and angular resolution diffusion-weighted imaging reveals forniceal damage related to memory impairment
Katherine A Koenig1, Ken E Sakaie, Mark J Lowe
1Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. koenigk@ccf.org
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
|January 9, 2013
Summary
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveals significant differences in the fornix white matter of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. These DTI measures correlate with cognitive deficits, supporting DTI
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures in white matter pathways correlate with function in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The fornix is a critical white matter pathway implicated in cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate correlations between DTI measures in the fornix and cognitive deficits in MS patients.
- To assess relationships with episodic memory, working memory, and attention.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution DTI scans and cognitive testing were performed on MS patients and healthy controls.
- Forniceal regions of interest were used to calculate fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and transverse diffusivity (TD).
Main Results:
- Significant differences in FA, MD, and TD values were found in the fornix between MS patients and controls (P<.03).
- Patient performance on the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) correlated with these DTI measures (P<.03).
Conclusions:
- DTI measures in the fornix are altered in MS patients.
- These findings support DTI as a potential indicator of axonal degeneration and disease progression in MS.
