Some specially imaging of magnetic resonance imaging,the diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI),the diffusion tensor imaging and fractional anisotropy(FA),are useful to described,detect,and map the extent of spinal cord lesi...Some specially imaging of magnetic resonance imaging,the diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI),the diffusion tensor imaging and fractional anisotropy(FA),are useful to described,detect,and map the extent of spinal cord lesions.FA measurements may are used to predicting the outcome of patients who have spinal cord lesions.Fiber tracking enable to visualizing the integrity of white matter tracts surrounding some lesions,and this information could be used to formulating a differential diagnosis and planning biopsies or resection.In this article,we will describe the current uses for DWI and fiber tracking and speculate on others in which we believe these techniques will be useful in the future.展开更多
We propose a method of reliable tracking orientation and flexible step size fiber tracking. A new directional strategy was defined to select one optimal tracking orientation from each directional set, which was based ...We propose a method of reliable tracking orientation and flexible step size fiber tracking. A new directional strategy was defined to select one optimal tracking orientation from each directional set, which was based on the single-tensor model and the two-tensor model. The directional set of planar voxels contained three tracking directions： two from the two-tensor model and one from the single- tensor model. The directional set of linear voxels contained only one principal vector. In addition, a flexible step size, rather than fixable step sizes, was implemented to improve the accuracy of fiber tracking. We used two sets of human data to assess the performance of our method; one was from a healthy volunteer and the other from a patient with low-grade glioma. Results verified that our method was superior to the single-tensor Fiber Assignment by Continuous Tracking and the two-tensor eXtended Streamline Tractography for showing detailed images of fiber bundles.展开更多
1 H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging and diffusion tensor imaging were performed in 19 patients with mild depression and in 13 controls.The mean age of the patients was 31 years.The mean Hamilton depression sco...1 H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging and diffusion tensor imaging were performed in 19 patients with mild depression and in 13 controls.The mean age of the patients was 31 years.The mean Hamilton depression score of the patients was 22.5±13.2.N-acetylaspartate,choline and creatine concentrations and the average diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy values were measured in the bilateral hippocampus,striatum,thalamus and prefrontal deep white matter. Compared with the control group,the mild depressed patients had：（1）a higher choline/creatine ratio and a negative correlation between the choline/creatine ratio and the average diffusion coefficient in the hippocampus;（2）a lower choline/creatine ratio and a higher fractional anisotropy in the striatum;（3）a lower fractional anisotropy and a positive correlation between the fractional anisotropy and the choline/creatine ratio in the prefrontal deep white matter;and（4）a higher average diffusion coefficient and a positive correlation between the choline/creatine ratio and the N-acetylaspartate/creatine ratio in the thalamus,as well as positive correlation between the choline/creatine ratio and Hamilton depression scores.These data suggest evidence of abnormal connectivity in neurofibrotic microstructures and abnormal metabolic alterations in the limbic-cortical-striatal-pallidal-thalamic neural circuit in patients with mild depression.展开更多
Diffusion tensor imaging is a sensitive way to reflect axonal necrosis and degeneration, glial cell regeneration and demyelination following spinal cord injury, and to display microstructure changes in the spinal cord...Diffusion tensor imaging is a sensitive way to reflect axonal necrosis and degeneration, glial cell regeneration and demyelination following spinal cord injury, and to display microstructure changes in the spinal cord in vivo. Diffusion tensor imaging technology is a sensitive method to diagnose spinal cord injury; fiber tractography visualizes the white matter fibers, and directly displays the structural integrity and resultant damage of the fiber bundle. At present, diffusion tensor imaging is restricted to brain examinations, and is rarely applied in the evaluation of spinal cord injury. This study aimed to explore the fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging and the feasibility of diffusion tensor tractography in the evaluation of complete spinal cord injury in rats. The results showed that the average combined scores were obviously decreased after spinal cord transection in rats, and then began to increase over time. The fractional anisotropy scores after spinal cord transection in rats were significantly lower than those in normal rats （P 〈 0.05）; the apparent diffusion coefficient was significantly increased compared with the normal group （P 〈 0.05）. Following spinal cord transection, fractional anisotropy scores were negatively correlated with apparent diffusion coefficient values （r = -0.856, P 〈 0.01）, and positively correlated with the average combined scores （r = 0.943, P 〈 0.01）, while apparent diffusion coefficient values had a negative correlation with the average combined scores （r = -0.949, P 〈 0.01）. Experimental findings suggest that, as a non-invasive examination, diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging can provide qualita- tive and quantitative information about spinal cord injury. The fractional anisotropy score and apparent diffusion coefficient have a good correlation with the average combined scores, which reflect functional recovery after spinal cord injury.展开更多
Diffusion tensor imaging is a unique method to visualize white matter fibers three-dimensionally, non-invasively and in vivo, and therefore it is an important tool for observing and researching neural regeneration. Di...Diffusion tensor imaging is a unique method to visualize white matter fibers three-dimensionally, non-invasively and in vivo, and therefore it is an important tool for observing and researching neural regeneration. Different diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tracking methods have been already investigated, but making the computing faster, fiber tracking longer and smoother and the details shown clearer are needed to be improved for clinical applications. This study proposed a new fiber tracking strategy based on tri-linear interpolation. We selected a patient with acute infarction of the right basal ganglia and designed experiments based on either the tri-linear interpolation algorithm or tensorline algorithm. Fiber tracking in the same regions of interest （genu of the corpus callosum） was performed separately. The validity of the tri-linear interpolation algorithm was verified by quan- titative analysis, and its feasibility in clinical diagnosis was confirmed by the contrast between tracking results and the disease condition of the patient as well as the actual brain anatomy. Statis- tical results showed that the maximum length and average length of the white matter fibers tracked by the tri-linear interpolation algorithm were significantly longer. The tracking images of the fibers indicated that this method can obtain smoother tracked fibers, more obvious orientation and clearer details. Tracking fiber abnormalities are in good agreement with the actual condition of patients, and tracking displayed fibers that passed though the corpus callosum, which was consistent with the anatomical structures of the brain. Therefore, the tri-linear interpolation algorithm can achieve a clear, anatomically correct and reliable tracking result.展开更多
This study tested an improved fiber tracking algorithm, which was based on fiber assignment using a continuous tracking algorithm and a two-tensor model. Different models and tracking decisions were used by judging th...This study tested an improved fiber tracking algorithm, which was based on fiber assignment using a continuous tracking algorithm and a two-tensor model. Different models and tracking decisions were used by judging the type of estimation of each voxel. Thismethod should solve the cross-track problem. This study included eight healthy subjects, two axonal injury patients and seven demyelinating disease patients. This new algorithm clearly exhibited a difference in nerve fiber direction between axonal injury and demyelinating disease patients and healthy control subjects. Compared with fiber assignment with a continuous tracking algorithm, our novel method can track more and longer nerve fibers, and also can solve the fiber crossing problem.展开更多
The mechanisms of motor recovery through the transcallosal pathway remain poorly understood. The present study reports on a hemiplegic patient with corona radiata infarct; it attempts to confirm motor recovery through...The mechanisms of motor recovery through the transcallosal pathway remain poorly understood. The present study reports on a hemiplegic patient with corona radiata infarct; it attempts to confirm motor recovery through the transcallosal motor pathway, from the affected motor cortex to the affected hand, using diffusion tensor tractography and transcranial magnetic stimulation. A 54-year-old, male patient and eight age-matched, normal subjects were enrolled in the study. The patient＇s right hand was initially completely paralyzed, but slowly recovered over 6 months. In the control subjects and the unaffected hemisphere （right） of the patient, the corticospinal tracts originated from the motor cortex and descended along the known corticospinal tract pathway. However, the corticospinal tract of the affected hemisphere was disrupted at the upper pons. Following transcranial stimulation of the affected （left） motor cortex, motor evoked potential from the affected （right） abductor pollicis brevis muscle exhibited longer latency than opposite motor evoked potential. Results from the present study suggest that motor function of the affected （right） hand recovered via the transcallosal motor pathway from the affected （left） motor cortex in this patient.展开更多
Because Broca＇s area and Wernicke＇s area in the brain are connected by the arcuate fasciculus, understanding the anatomical location and morphometry of the arcuate fasciculus can help in the treatment of patients wi...Because Broca＇s area and Wernicke＇s area in the brain are connected by the arcuate fasciculus, understanding the anatomical location and morphometry of the arcuate fasciculus can help in the treatment of patients with aphasia. We measured the horizontal and vertical curvature ranges of the arcuate fasciculus in both hemispheres in 12 healthy subjects using diffusion tensor tractography. In the right hemisphere, the direct curvature range and indirect curvature range values of the arcuate fasciculus horizontal part were 121.13 ± 5.89 and 25.99 ± 3.01 degrees, respectively, and in the left hemisphere, the values were 121.83 ± 5.33 and 27.40 ± 2.96 degrees, respectively. In the right hemisphere, the direct curvature range and indirect curvature range values of the arcuate fasciculus vertical part were 43.97 ± 7.98 and 30.15 ± 3.82 degrees, respectively, and in the left hemisphere, the values were 39.39 ± 4.42 and 24.08 ± 4.34 degrees, respectively. We believe that the measured curvature ranges are important data for localization and quantitative assessment of specific neuronal pathways in patients presenting with arcuate fasciculus abnormalities.展开更多
目的采用自动纤维定量技术(AFQ)分析孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)患者大脑白质纤维束的特征,探索其在ASD患者中的应用价值及ASD患者白质纤维束的改变。方法自闭症脑成像数据库(ABIDE)公共数据集中Trinity Centre for Health Sciences的20名ASD...目的采用自动纤维定量技术(AFQ)分析孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)患者大脑白质纤维束的特征,探索其在ASD患者中的应用价值及ASD患者白质纤维束的改变。方法自闭症脑成像数据库(ABIDE)公共数据集中Trinity Centre for Health Sciences的20名ASD患者和20名性别、年龄、惯用手与之相匹配的健康对照组均进行了磁共振弥散张量成像(DTI)扫描,采用AFQ技术自动提取大脑主要纤维束并分段,对纤维束均值和纤维束分段逐点进行组间比较,分析ASD患者白质纤维束改变。结果(1)在纤维束平均值组间比较中,成功追踪的18条纤维束DTI指标均值组间差异无统计学意义;(2)在纤维束逐点比较中,ASD纤维束在右侧皮质脊髓束(CST)、双侧上纵束(SLF)及左侧弓形束(AF)与健康对照组比较,差异均有统计学意义[多重比较矫正(FDR)后P<0.05],表现为节段性的各向异性分数(FA)减低、平均扩散系数(MD)和径向扩散系数(RD)增高。结论AFQ可能有助于在疾病早期发现神经纤维束中的细小差异;ASD患者多条神经纤维束与正常人存在显著差异,这些白质纤维束的改变可能是造成ASD患者临床表现复杂而多样的基础。展开更多
Temporal lobe resection is an important treatment option for epilepsy that involves removal of potentially essential brain regions. Selective amygdalohippocampectomy is a widely performed temporal lobe surgery. We sug...Temporal lobe resection is an important treatment option for epilepsy that involves removal of potentially essential brain regions. Selective amygdalohippocampectomy is a widely performed temporal lobe surgery. We suggest starting the incision for selective amygdalohippocampectomy at the inferior temporal gyrus based on diffusion magnetic resonance imaging（MRI） tractography. Diffusion MRI data from 20 normal participants were obtained from Parkinson＇s Progression Markers Initiative（PPMI） database（www.ppmi-info.org）. A tractography algorithm was applied to extract neuronal fiber information for the temporal lobe, hippocampus, and amygdala. Fiber information was analyzed in terms of the number of fibers and betweenness centrality. Distances between starting incisions and surgical target regions were also considered to explore the length of the surgical path. Middle temporal and superior temporal gyrus regions have higher connectivity values than the inferior temporal gyrus and thus are not good candidates for starting the incision. The distances between inferior temporal gyrus and surgical target regions were shorter than those between middle temporal gyrus and target regions. Thus, the inferior temporal gyrus is a good candidate for starting the incision. Starting the incision from the inferior temporal gyrus would spare the important（in terms of betweenness centrality values） middle region and shorten the distance to the target regions of the hippocampus and amygdala.展开更多
文摘Some specially imaging of magnetic resonance imaging,the diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI),the diffusion tensor imaging and fractional anisotropy(FA),are useful to described,detect,and map the extent of spinal cord lesions.FA measurements may are used to predicting the outcome of patients who have spinal cord lesions.Fiber tracking enable to visualizing the integrity of white matter tracts surrounding some lesions,and this information could be used to formulating a differential diagnosis and planning biopsies or resection.In this article,we will describe the current uses for DWI and fiber tracking and speculate on others in which we believe these techniques will be useful in the future.
基金supported by the Science and Technology Commission of the Shanghai Municipality of China,No.10dz2211800,No.10XD1421400the National High Technology Research and Development Program,No.2009AA02Z415the Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission,No.11yz292
文摘We propose a method of reliable tracking orientation and flexible step size fiber tracking. A new directional strategy was defined to select one optimal tracking orientation from each directional set, which was based on the single-tensor model and the two-tensor model. The directional set of planar voxels contained three tracking directions： two from the two-tensor model and one from the single- tensor model. The directional set of linear voxels contained only one principal vector. In addition, a flexible step size, rather than fixable step sizes, was implemented to improve the accuracy of fiber tracking. We used two sets of human data to assess the performance of our method; one was from a healthy volunteer and the other from a patient with low-grade glioma. Results verified that our method was superior to the single-tensor Fiber Assignment by Continuous Tracking and the two-tensor eXtended Streamline Tractography for showing detailed images of fiber bundles.
文摘1 H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging and diffusion tensor imaging were performed in 19 patients with mild depression and in 13 controls.The mean age of the patients was 31 years.The mean Hamilton depression score of the patients was 22.5±13.2.N-acetylaspartate,choline and creatine concentrations and the average diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy values were measured in the bilateral hippocampus,striatum,thalamus and prefrontal deep white matter. Compared with the control group,the mild depressed patients had：（1）a higher choline/creatine ratio and a negative correlation between the choline/creatine ratio and the average diffusion coefficient in the hippocampus;（2）a lower choline/creatine ratio and a higher fractional anisotropy in the striatum;（3）a lower fractional anisotropy and a positive correlation between the fractional anisotropy and the choline/creatine ratio in the prefrontal deep white matter;and（4）a higher average diffusion coefficient and a positive correlation between the choline/creatine ratio and the N-acetylaspartate/creatine ratio in the thalamus,as well as positive correlation between the choline/creatine ratio and Hamilton depression scores.These data suggest evidence of abnormal connectivity in neurofibrotic microstructures and abnormal metabolic alterations in the limbic-cortical-striatal-pallidal-thalamic neural circuit in patients with mild depression.
基金financially supported by a grant from the Shaanxi Provincial Science and Technology Research and Development Project,No.2013K12-20-08
文摘Diffusion tensor imaging is a sensitive way to reflect axonal necrosis and degeneration, glial cell regeneration and demyelination following spinal cord injury, and to display microstructure changes in the spinal cord in vivo. Diffusion tensor imaging technology is a sensitive method to diagnose spinal cord injury; fiber tractography visualizes the white matter fibers, and directly displays the structural integrity and resultant damage of the fiber bundle. At present, diffusion tensor imaging is restricted to brain examinations, and is rarely applied in the evaluation of spinal cord injury. This study aimed to explore the fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging and the feasibility of diffusion tensor tractography in the evaluation of complete spinal cord injury in rats. The results showed that the average combined scores were obviously decreased after spinal cord transection in rats, and then began to increase over time. The fractional anisotropy scores after spinal cord transection in rats were significantly lower than those in normal rats （P 〈 0.05）; the apparent diffusion coefficient was significantly increased compared with the normal group （P 〈 0.05）. Following spinal cord transection, fractional anisotropy scores were negatively correlated with apparent diffusion coefficient values （r = -0.856, P 〈 0.01）, and positively correlated with the average combined scores （r = 0.943, P 〈 0.01）, while apparent diffusion coefficient values had a negative correlation with the average combined scores （r = -0.949, P 〈 0.01）. Experimental findings suggest that, as a non-invasive examination, diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging can provide qualita- tive and quantitative information about spinal cord injury. The fractional anisotropy score and apparent diffusion coefficient have a good correlation with the average combined scores, which reflect functional recovery after spinal cord injury.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.60703045
文摘Diffusion tensor imaging is a unique method to visualize white matter fibers three-dimensionally, non-invasively and in vivo, and therefore it is an important tool for observing and researching neural regeneration. Different diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tracking methods have been already investigated, but making the computing faster, fiber tracking longer and smoother and the details shown clearer are needed to be improved for clinical applications. This study proposed a new fiber tracking strategy based on tri-linear interpolation. We selected a patient with acute infarction of the right basal ganglia and designed experiments based on either the tri-linear interpolation algorithm or tensorline algorithm. Fiber tracking in the same regions of interest （genu of the corpus callosum） was performed separately. The validity of the tri-linear interpolation algorithm was verified by quan- titative analysis, and its feasibility in clinical diagnosis was confirmed by the contrast between tracking results and the disease condition of the patient as well as the actual brain anatomy. Statis- tical results showed that the maximum length and average length of the white matter fibers tracked by the tri-linear interpolation algorithm were significantly longer. The tracking images of the fibers indicated that this method can obtain smoother tracked fibers, more obvious orientation and clearer details. Tracking fiber abnormalities are in good agreement with the actual condition of patients, and tracking displayed fibers that passed though the corpus callosum, which was consistent with the anatomical structures of the brain. Therefore, the tri-linear interpolation algorithm can achieve a clear, anatomically correct and reliable tracking result.
基金supported by Xiamen Technology Projects Grand (The study of chronic cerebrovascular insufficiently in Magnetic Resonance Imaging), No.3502Z20084028
文摘This study tested an improved fiber tracking algorithm, which was based on fiber assignment using a continuous tracking algorithm and a two-tensor model. Different models and tracking decisions were used by judging the type of estimation of each voxel. Thismethod should solve the cross-track problem. This study included eight healthy subjects, two axonal injury patients and seven demyelinating disease patients. This new algorithm clearly exhibited a difference in nerve fiber direction between axonal injury and demyelinating disease patients and healthy control subjects. Compared with fiber assignment with a continuous tracking algorithm, our novel method can track more and longer nerve fibers, and also can solve the fiber crossing problem.
基金the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant Funded by the Korean Government,No.KRF-2008-314-E00173
文摘The mechanisms of motor recovery through the transcallosal pathway remain poorly understood. The present study reports on a hemiplegic patient with corona radiata infarct; it attempts to confirm motor recovery through the transcallosal motor pathway, from the affected motor cortex to the affected hand, using diffusion tensor tractography and transcranial magnetic stimulation. A 54-year-old, male patient and eight age-matched, normal subjects were enrolled in the study. The patient＇s right hand was initially completely paralyzed, but slowly recovered over 6 months. In the control subjects and the unaffected hemisphere （right） of the patient, the corticospinal tracts originated from the motor cortex and descended along the known corticospinal tract pathway. However, the corticospinal tract of the affected hemisphere was disrupted at the upper pons. Following transcranial stimulation of the affected （left） motor cortex, motor evoked potential from the affected （right） abductor pollicis brevis muscle exhibited longer latency than opposite motor evoked potential. Results from the present study suggest that motor function of the affected （right） hand recovered via the transcallosal motor pathway from the affected （left） motor cortex in this patient.
基金supported by the Korea Research Foundation Grant funded by the Korean Government,MOEHRD,No.KRF-2007-313-E00395
文摘Because Broca＇s area and Wernicke＇s area in the brain are connected by the arcuate fasciculus, understanding the anatomical location and morphometry of the arcuate fasciculus can help in the treatment of patients with aphasia. We measured the horizontal and vertical curvature ranges of the arcuate fasciculus in both hemispheres in 12 healthy subjects using diffusion tensor tractography. In the right hemisphere, the direct curvature range and indirect curvature range values of the arcuate fasciculus horizontal part were 121.13 ± 5.89 and 25.99 ± 3.01 degrees, respectively, and in the left hemisphere, the values were 121.83 ± 5.33 and 27.40 ± 2.96 degrees, respectively. In the right hemisphere, the direct curvature range and indirect curvature range values of the arcuate fasciculus vertical part were 43.97 ± 7.98 and 30.15 ± 3.82 degrees, respectively, and in the left hemisphere, the values were 39.39 ± 4.42 and 24.08 ± 4.34 degrees, respectively. We believe that the measured curvature ranges are important data for localization and quantitative assessment of specific neuronal pathways in patients presenting with arcuate fasciculus abnormalities.
文摘目的采用自动纤维定量技术(AFQ)分析孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)患者大脑白质纤维束的特征,探索其在ASD患者中的应用价值及ASD患者白质纤维束的改变。方法自闭症脑成像数据库(ABIDE)公共数据集中Trinity Centre for Health Sciences的20名ASD患者和20名性别、年龄、惯用手与之相匹配的健康对照组均进行了磁共振弥散张量成像(DTI)扫描,采用AFQ技术自动提取大脑主要纤维束并分段,对纤维束均值和纤维束分段逐点进行组间比较,分析ASD患者白质纤维束改变。结果(1)在纤维束平均值组间比较中,成功追踪的18条纤维束DTI指标均值组间差异无统计学意义;(2)在纤维束逐点比较中,ASD纤维束在右侧皮质脊髓束(CST)、双侧上纵束(SLF)及左侧弓形束(AF)与健康对照组比较,差异均有统计学意义[多重比较矫正(FDR)后P<0.05],表现为节段性的各向异性分数(FA)减低、平均扩散系数(MD)和径向扩散系数(RD)增高。结论AFQ可能有助于在疾病早期发现神经纤维束中的细小差异;ASD患者多条神经纤维束与正常人存在显著差异,这些白质纤维束的改变可能是造成ASD患者临床表现复杂而多样的基础。
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea,No.20100023233
文摘Temporal lobe resection is an important treatment option for epilepsy that involves removal of potentially essential brain regions. Selective amygdalohippocampectomy is a widely performed temporal lobe surgery. We suggest starting the incision for selective amygdalohippocampectomy at the inferior temporal gyrus based on diffusion magnetic resonance imaging（MRI） tractography. Diffusion MRI data from 20 normal participants were obtained from Parkinson＇s Progression Markers Initiative（PPMI） database（www.ppmi-info.org）. A tractography algorithm was applied to extract neuronal fiber information for the temporal lobe, hippocampus, and amygdala. Fiber information was analyzed in terms of the number of fibers and betweenness centrality. Distances between starting incisions and surgical target regions were also considered to explore the length of the surgical path. Middle temporal and superior temporal gyrus regions have higher connectivity values than the inferior temporal gyrus and thus are not good candidates for starting the incision. The distances between inferior temporal gyrus and surgical target regions were shorter than those between middle temporal gyrus and target regions. Thus, the inferior temporal gyrus is a good candidate for starting the incision. Starting the incision from the inferior temporal gyrus would spare the important（in terms of betweenness centrality values） middle region and shorten the distance to the target regions of the hippocampus and amygdala.
