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Visualizing the lateral habenula using susceptibility weighted imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping
Naying He1, Sean K Sethi2, Chencheng Zhang3
1Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
|October 27, 2019
Summary
Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) and Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) can localize the lateral habenula (Lhb), a brain region implicated in depression. This technique may reveal iron content differences in the Lhb.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroanatomy
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Background:
- The habenulae are small nuclei connecting limbic and monoaminergic centers.
- Abnormal habenular function is linked to major depressive disorders.
- The lateral habenula (Lhb) is a potential therapeutic target for depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of localizing the lateral habenula (Lhb) using SWI and QSM.
- To assess potential iron content variations within the Lhb using these imaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- Healthy controls (n=56) underwent 3T MRI.
- Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI), true SWI (tSWI), and Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) were utilized.
- Volume and mean susceptibility of the habenula were computed; Lhb was delineated using thresholding on QSM.
Main Results:
- SWI, tSWI, and QSM demonstrated bilateral signal changes in the posterior habenulae.
- These signal changes, observed in 93% of subjects, suggest increased iron content in the Lhb.
- The Lhb could be localized using SWI and QSM.
Conclusions:
- SWI and QSM are effective for localizing the lateral habenula at 3T.
- These imaging methods may help identify iron deposition in the Lhb, potentially relevant to depression research.
