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Early-Onset Micromorphological Changes of Neuronal Fiber Bundles During Radiotherapy
Jin Liu1,2,3, Wenjuan Wang2,4,5, Yanfei Zhou1,3
1Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI
|December 2, 2021
Summary
Early white matter changes during cranial radiation therapy were detected using diffusion tensor imaging. Along-tract analysis shows these micromorphological changes correlate with radiation dose, offering potential for early detection of brain dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiotherapy Research
- White Matter Integrity
Background:
- Cranial radiation therapy poses a risk of delayed brain dysfunction in patients.
- Current medical imaging lacks early markers for these changes before irreversible damage occurs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate micromorphological white matter alterations during radiotherapy using an along-tract analysis framework.
- To identify early imaging markers for radiation-induced brain changes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 18 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing cranial radiation.
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment.
- Along-tract analysis segmented 12 white matter tracts, assessing fractional anisotropy (FA) and cumulative radiation dose.
Main Results:
- Six of 12 analyzed white matter tracts exhibited significant fractional anisotropy (FA) changes during radiotherapy.
- These changes demonstrated heterogeneous patterns across different tracts.
- Significant alterations in FA values were associated with the cumulative radiation dose received by specific white matter tracts.
Conclusions:
- Along-tract analysis of DTI can detect early, subtle micromorphological changes in white matter during cranial radiation.
- This approach may serve as a sensitive imaging marker for predicting or monitoring radiation-induced brain dysfunction.
