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Updated: May 10, 2026

Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging

Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging

Published on: November 8, 2012

Water diffusion in brain cortex closely tracks underlying neuronal activity.

Tomokazu Tsurugizawa¹, Luisa Ciobanu, Denis Le Bihan

¹NeuroSpin, Bât 145, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique-Saclay Center, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|June 27, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Water diffusion directly reflects neuronal activity, offering a new brain imaging method. This diffusion MRI approach bypasses limitations of traditional functional MRI, even when neurovascular coupling is impaired.

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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biophysics
Medical Imaging

Background:

Functional MRI (fMRI) relies on neurovascular coupling, where neuronal activity increases blood flow.
This indirect measure can be compromised by factors like anesthesia or drugs affecting neurovascular coupling.
A more direct measure of neuronal activity is needed for robust brain imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

To establish that water molecular diffusion is directly modulated by neuronal activity.
To investigate this phenomenon under conditions that interfere with neurovascular coupling.
To explore diffusion MRI as a potential alternative or complement to fMRI.

Main Methods:

Utilized a rat forepaw stimulation model.
Measured water molecular diffusion and local field potentials.
Administered nitroprusside infusion to inhibit neurovascular coupling.
Compared diffusion MRI signals with hemodynamic responses.

Main Results:

Water molecular diffusion changes were directly correlated with neuronal activity.
This diffusion response persisted even when neurovascular coupling was inhibited by nitroprusside.
Hemodynamic responses, however, were abolished under nitroprusside infusion.
Observed changes suggest dynamic modulation of neural tissue structure during activation.

Conclusions:

Water molecular diffusion provides a direct readout of neuronal activity, independent of neurovascular coupling.
Diffusion MRI offers a novel approach to brain imaging, overcoming limitations of fMRI.
These findings challenge current principles of brain imaging and open new research avenues into brain function mechanisms.