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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Relationship between diffusion tensor fractional anisotropy and long-term motor outcome in patients with hemiparesis
Tetsuo Koyama1, Kohei Marumoto2, Hiroji Miyake3
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nishinomiya Kyoritsu Neurosurgical Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Background:
Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor fractional anisotropy (DTI-FA) is often used to characterize neural damage after stroke. Here we assessed the relationship between DTI-FA and long-term motor outcome in patients after middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction.
Methods:
Fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were generated from diffusion tensor brain images obtained from 16 patients 14-18 days postinfarction, and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis was applied. Regions of interest were set within the right and left corticospinal tracts, and mean FA values were extracted from individual TBSS data. Hemiparesis motor outcome was evaluated according to Brunnstrom stage (BRS: 1-6, severe-normal) for separate shoulder/elbow/forearm, hand, and lower extremity functions, as well as the motor component score of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM-motor: 13-91, null-full) 5-7 months after onset. Ratios between FA values in the affected and unaffected hemispheres (rFA) were assessed by BRS and FIM-motor scores.
Results:
rFA values were .636-.984 (median, .883) and BRS scores were 1-6 (median, 3) for shoulder/elbow/forearm, 2-6 (median, 3) for hand, and 3-6 (median, 5) for the lower extremities. FIM-motor scores were 51-90 (median, 75). Analysis revealed significant relationships between rFA and BRS data (correlation coefficient: .687 for shoulder/elbow/forearm, .579 for hand, and .623 for lower extremities) but no significance relationship between rFA and FIM-motor scores.
Conclusions:
The results suggest that DTI-FA is applicable for predicting the long-term outcome of extremity functions after MCA infarction.
Insights
Diffusion tensor fractional anisotropy (DTI-FA) can predict long-term motor function after middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. This study found DTI-FA correlated with motor recovery in patients, suggesting its clinical utility.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Stroke, particularly middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction, often results in long-term motor deficits.
- Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging fractional anisotropy (DTI-FA) is a key technique for assessing neural damage.
- Understanding the relationship between DTI-FA and motor recovery is crucial for patient prognostication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between DTI-FA and long-term motor outcomes in patients following MCA infarction.
- To determine if DTI-FA can serve as a predictive biomarker for motor function recovery.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on 16 patients 14-18 days post-MCA infarction.
- Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis was used to generate fractional anisotropy (FA) maps.
- Regions of interest were defined in the corticospinal tracts, and mean FA values were extracted. Motor outcomes were assessed using Brunnstrom stage (BRS) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM-motor) scores 5-7 months post-stroke.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between the ratio of FA values in affected and unaffected hemispheres (rFA) and Brunnstrom stage scores for shoulder/elbow/forearm (r=0.687), hand (r=0.579), and lower extremities (r=0.623).
- No significant relationship was observed between rFA and Functional Independence Measure motor scores.
- The median rFA was 0.883, indicating reduced FA in the affected hemisphere.
Conclusions:
- DTI-FA measurements show potential for predicting long-term motor function outcomes in patients with MCA infarction.
- The findings suggest DTI-FA is a valuable tool for assessing the extent of neural damage and forecasting recovery of extremity functions post-stroke.
