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Measuring Connectivity in the Primary Visual Pathway in Human Albinism Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Tractography
Published on: August 11, 2016
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Measuring Connectivity in the Primary Visual Pathway in Human Albinism Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging and
Anahit Grigorian1, Larissa McKetton2, Keith A Schneider2
1Department of Biology, Centre for Vision Research, York University; grig.annie@gmail.com.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|September 2, 2016
Summary
Albinism reduces connections between the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and primary visual cortex (V1). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography revealed significantly reduced white matter integrity in the optic radiation (OR) in albinism patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Albinism is characterized by reduced ipsilaterally projecting retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).
- Previous studies suggest LGN volume reduction in human albinism.
- Misrouting of visual pathways in albinism is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate structural differences in the visual system of albinism.
- To compare brain connectivity in albinism and control groups using diffusion MRI.
- To map the optic radiation (OR) and assess LGN to V1 connectivity.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution MRI including T1-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
- Two tractography algorithms (deterministic and probabilistic) were used for OR reconstruction.
- Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyzed white matter integrity.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in white matter integrity within the OR in albinism patients compared to controls.
- Demonstrated a significant reduction in LGN to V1 connectivity in albinism.
- Both tractography methods yielded consistent findings, confirming reliability.
Conclusions:
- Visual pathway structural differences in albinism, particularly reduced LGN-V1 connectivity, are quantifiable with DTI tractography.
- This study enhances understanding of albinism's visual system mechanisms.
- Findings support clinical applications of advanced neuroimaging in albinism research.
