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Dentatorubrothalamic tract localization with postmortem MR diffusion tractography compared to histological 3D
J Mollink1,2, K M van Baarsen3, P J W C Dederen4
1Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, FMRIB Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. jeroen.mollink@ndcn.ox.ac.uk.
Brain Structure & Function
|October 7, 2015
Summary
This study validates diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) tractography for mapping the dentatorubrothalamic tract (DRTT). Postmortem tractography showed high accuracy when compared to 3D histology, improving reliability for neuroscience research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroanatomy
- Histology
Background:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) tractography estimates white matter tracts but lacks known accuracy rates.
- The dentatorubrothalamic tract (DRTT), a key cerebellar output, is crucial for understanding cerebellar functions beyond motor control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare postmortem DWI tractography of the DRTT with its 3D histological reconstruction.
- To estimate the reliability and spatial accuracy of tractography algorithms for the DRTT.
Main Methods:
- Postmortem MRI (7T) of a human brain specimen using DWI.
- Probabilistic tractography (PROBTRACKX) of the DRTT.
- Serial sectioning, myelin staining, and 3D histological reconstruction.
- Image registration and comparison between MRI tractography and histology using ROC analysis and similarity index (SI).
Main Results:
- High sensitivity and specificity of tractography for the DRTT were observed.
- The superior cerebellar peduncle showed the highest spatial concordance (SI = 0.72).
- Lower overlap was noted at the DRTT decussation in the mesencephalon.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem DWI tractography demonstrates high spatial accuracy for the DRTT compared to 3D histology.
- This validates tractography as a reliable tool for studying the DRTT.
- Offers promising prospects for investigating structure-function relationships in cerebellar disorders.
