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Published on: September 12, 2011
Probing white-matter microstructure with higher-order diffusion tensors and susceptibility tensor MRI
Chunlei Liu1, Nicole E Murphy, Wei Li
1Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, School of Medicine, Duke University Durham, NC, USA ; Department of Radiology, Duke University Durham, NC, USA.
Abstract:
Diffusion MRI has become an invaluable tool for studying white matter microstructure and brain connectivity. The emergence of quantitative susceptibility mapping and susceptibility tensor imaging (STI) has provided another unique tool for assessing the structure of white matter. In the highly ordered white matter structure, diffusion MRI measures hindered water mobility induced by various tissue and cell membranes, while susceptibility sensitizes to the molecular composition and axonal arrangement. Integrating these two methods may produce new insights into the complex physiology of white matter. In this study, we investigated the relationship between diffusion and magnetic susceptibility in the white matter. Experiments were conducted on phantoms and human brains in vivo. Diffusion properties were quantified with the diffusion tensor model and also with the higher order tensor model based on the cumulant expansion. Frequency shift and susceptibility tensor were measured with quantitative susceptibility mapping and susceptibility tensor imaging. These diffusion and susceptibility quantities were compared and correlated in regions of single fiber bundles and regions of multiple fiber orientations. Relationships were established with similarities and differences identified. It is believed that diffusion MRI and susceptibility MRI provide complementary information of the microstructure of white matter. Together, they allow a more complete assessment of healthy and diseased brains.
Insights
Diffusion MRI and susceptibility MRI offer complementary insights into white matter microstructure. Combining these techniques provides a more comprehensive assessment of brain health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biophysics
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Diffusion MRI is crucial for studying white matter microstructure and brain connectivity.
- Quantitative susceptibility mapping and susceptibility tensor imaging (STI) offer unique insights into white matter structure.
- Integrating diffusion and susceptibility measures may reveal new aspects of white matter physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between diffusion and magnetic susceptibility in white matter.
- To compare and correlate diffusion and susceptibility metrics in different white matter regions.
- To establish relationships and identify similarities/differences between these imaging modalities.
Main Methods:
- Experiments conducted on phantoms and human brains in vivo.
- Diffusion properties quantified using diffusion tensor and higher-order tensor models.
- Frequency shift and susceptibility tensor measured using quantitative susceptibility mapping and STI.
Main Results:
- Diffusion and susceptibility quantities were compared and correlated in regions with single and multiple fiber orientations.
- Established relationships between diffusion and susceptibility metrics.
- Identified both similarities and differences in the information provided by the two methods.
Conclusions:
- Diffusion MRI and susceptibility MRI provide complementary information on white matter microstructure.
- The integration of these methods allows for a more complete assessment of healthy and diseased brains.
- This combined approach enhances our understanding of white matter's complex physiology.
