Cerebral diffusion kurtosis imaging to assess the pathophysiology of postpartum depression

Abstract Postpartum depression (PPD), a main cause of maternal suicide, is an important issue in perinatal mental health. Recently, cerebral diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have shown reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. There are, however, no reports using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) for evaluation of PPD. This was a Japanese single-institutional prospective study from 2016 to 2019 to examine the pathophysiological changes in the brain of PPD patients using DKI. The DKI data from 3.0 T MRI of patients one month after delivery were analyzed; the patients were examined for PPD by a psychiatrist. The mean kurtosis (MK), FA and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated from the DKI data and compared between PPD and non-PPD groups using tract-based spatial statistics analysis. Of the 75 patients analyzed, eight patients (10.7%) were diagnosed as having PPD. In the PPD group, FA values in the white matter and thalamus were significantly lower and MD values in the white matter and putamen were significantly higher. The area with significant differences in MD value was more extensive (40.8%) than the area with significant differences in FA value (6.5%). These findings may reflect pathophysiological differences of PPD compared with MDD.

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Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging Detects Microstructural Changes in the Brain after Acute Alcohol Intoxication in Rats

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/4757025 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Xi-ran Chen ◽

Jie-ying Zeng ◽

Zhi-Wei Shen ◽

Ling-mei Kong ◽

Wen-bin Zheng

Keyword(s):

Frontal Lobe ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Alcohol Intoxication ◽

Mean Diffusivity ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging ◽

Acute Alcohol Intoxication ◽

Additional Information ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis ◽

The Brain ◽

Acute Intake

The aim of this study was to test the technical feasibility of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the brain after acute alcohol intoxication. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and DKI during 7.0 T MRI were performed in the frontal lobe and thalamus before and 30 min, 2 h, and 6 h after ethyl alcohol administration. Compared with controls, mean kurtosis values of the frontal lobe and thalamus first decreased by 44% and 38% within 30 min (p<0.01 all) and then increased by 14% and 46% at 2 h (frontal lobe, p>0.05; thalamus, p<0.01) and by 29% and 68% at 6 h (frontal lobe, p<0.05; thalamus, p<0.01) after acute intake. Mean diffusivity decreased significantly in both the frontal lobe and the thalamus at various stages. However, fractional anisotropy decreased only in the frontal lobe, with no detectable change in the thalamus. This demonstrates that DKI possesses sufficient sensitivity for tracking pathophysiological changes at various stages associated with acute alcohol intoxication and may provide additional information that may be missed by conventional DTI parameters.

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Motor cortex gliomas induces microstructural changes of large fiber tracts revealed by TBSS

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-73746-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiangdong Wang ◽

Chunyao Zhou ◽

Lei Wang ◽

Yinyan Wang ◽

Tao Jiang

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Motor Cortex ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Early Stage ◽

Mean Diffusivity ◽

Cerebral White Matter ◽

Control Group ◽

Fiber Tracts ◽

3.0 T ◽

White Matter Fiber Tracts

Abstract Gliomas grow and invade along white matter fiber tracts. This study assessed the effects of motor cortex gliomas on the cerebral white matter fiber bundle skeleton. The motor cortex glioma group included 21 patients, and the control group comprised 14 healthy volunteers. Both groups underwent magnetic resonance imaging-based 3.0 T diffusion tensor imaging. We used tract-based spatial statistics to analyze the characteristics of white matter fiber bundles. The left and right motor cortex glioma groups were analyzed separately from the control group. Results were statistically corrected by the family-wise error rate. Compared with the controls, patients with left motor cortex gliomas exhibited significantly reduced fractional anisotropy and an increased radial diffusivity in the corpus callosum. The alterations in mean diffusivity (MD) and the axial diffusivity (AD) were widely distributed throughout the brain. Furthermore, atlas-based analysis showed elevated MD and AD in the contralateral superior fronto-occipital fasciculus. Motor cortex gliomas significantly affect white matter fiber microstructure proximal to the tumor. The range of affected white matter fibers may extend beyond the tumor-affected area. These changes are primarily related to early stage tumor invasion.

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Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging in psychiatry: a narrative review of its potential role in diagnosis

Pharmacological Reports ◽

10.1007/s43440-020-00177-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Piotr Podwalski ◽

Krzysztof Szczygieł ◽

Ernest Tyburski ◽

Leszek Sagan ◽

Błażej Misiak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽

White Matter ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Potential Role ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Mean Diffusivity ◽

Water Molecules ◽

Mental Diseases ◽

The Brain ◽

Diffusion Tensor Imaging Dti

Abstract Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an imaging technique that uses magnetic resonance. It measures the diffusion of water molecules in tissues, which can occur either without restriction (i.e., in an isotropic manner) or limited by some obstacles, such as cell membranes (i.e., in an anisotropic manner). Diffusion is most often measured in terms of, inter alia, fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD). DTI allows us to reconstruct, visualize, and evaluate certain qualities of white matter. To date, many studies have sought to associate various changes in the distribution of diffusion within the brain with mental diseases and disorders. A better understanding of white matter integrity disorders can help us recognize the causes of diseases, as well as help create objective methods of psychiatric diagnosis, identify biomarkers of mental illness, and improve pharmacotherapy. The aim of this work is to present the characteristics of DTI as well as current research on its use in schizophrenia, affective disorders, and other mental disorders.

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The Value of Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging In Detecting Delayed Brain Development of Premature Infants

10.21203/rs.3.rs-747810/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xin Zhao ◽

Chunxiang Zhang ◽

Bohao Zhang ◽

Jiayue Yan ◽

Kaiyu Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Caudate Nucleus ◽

Premature Infants ◽

Developmental Disorders ◽

Neurodevelopmental Outcome ◽

Mean Diffusivity ◽

Internal Capsule ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging ◽

Control Group ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis

Abstract Objective Preterm infants are at high risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. Our aim is to explore the value of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in diagnosing brain developmental disorders in premature infants.Materials and Methods A total of 52 subjects were included in this study, including 26 premature infants as the preterm group, and 26 full-term infants as the control group. Routine magnetic resonance imaging and DKI examination were performed. Mean kurtosis (MK), radial kurtosis (RK), fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) values were measured in the brain regions including posterior limbs of the internal capsule (PLIC); anterior limb of internal capsule (ALIC); parietal white matter (PWM); frontal white matter (FWM); thalamus (TH); caudate nucleus (CN); genu of the corpus callosum (GCC). The X2, t test, Spearman’s correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC)were used for data analyses.Results In the premature infant group, the MK and RK values of PLIA, ALIC, and PWM were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The FA values of PWM, FWM and TH were also lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The AUCs of MK in PLIC and ALIC, MD in PWM, and FA in FWM were 0.813, 0.802, 0.842 and 0.867 (P<0.05). In thalamus and caudate nucleus, the correlations between MK, RK values and PMA were higher than those between FA, MD values and PMA.Conclusions DKI can be used as an effective tool in detecting brain developmental disorders in premature infants.

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White matter microstructural integrity across the adult lifespan: Combined perspective of diffusion tensor and kurtosis imaging

10.1101/2021.10.27.466088 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hiba Taha ◽

Jordan A Chad ◽

J. Jean Chen

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Brain Aging ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Diffusion Imaging ◽

General Pattern ◽

B Value ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging ◽

Adult Lifespan ◽

Non Gaussian ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis

Studies of healthy brain aging have reported diffusivity patterns associated with white matter degeneration using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which assumes that diffusion measured at the typical b-value (approximately 1000 s/mm2) is Gaussian. Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) is an extension of DTI that measures non-Gaussian diffusion (kurtosis) to better capture microenvironmental changes by incorporating additional data at a higher b-value. In this study, using UK Biobank data (b values of 1000 and 2000 s/mm2), we investigate (1) the extent of novel information gained from adding diffusional kurtosis to diffusivity observations in aging, and (2) how conventional DTI metrics in aging compare with diffusivity metrics derived from DKI, which are corrected for kurtosis. We find a general pattern of lower kurtosis alongside higher diffusivity among older adults. We also find differences between diffusivity metrics derived from DTI and DKI, emphasizing the importance of accounting for non-Gaussian diffusion. This work highlights the utility of measuring diffusional kurtosis as a simple addition to conventional diffusion imaging of aging.

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Widespread White Matter Microstructure Alterations Based on Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging in Patients With Pontine Infarction

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnagi.2021.758236 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

Author(s):

Ying Wei ◽

Caihong Wang ◽

Jingchun Liu ◽

Peifang Miao ◽

Sen Wei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽

White Matter ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging ◽

White Matter Tracts ◽

Microstructure Changes ◽

Diffusion Parameters ◽

White Matter Microstructure ◽

Pontine Infarction ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis

Neurological deficits after stroke are closely related to white matter microstructure damage. However, secondary changes in white matter microstructure after pontine infarction (PI) in the whole brain remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI)-derived diffusion and kurtosis parameters of abnormal white matter tracts with behavioral function in patients with chronic PI. Overall, 60 patients with unilateral chronic PI (33 patients with left PI and 27 patients with right PI) and 30 normal subjects were recruited and underwent DKI scans. Diffusion parameters derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and DKI and kurtosis parameters derived from DKI were obtained. Between-group differences in multiple parameters were analyzed to assess the changes in abnormal white matter microstructure. Moreover, we also calculated the sensitivities of different diffusion and kurtosis parameters of DTI and DKI for identifying abnormal white matter tracts. Correlations between the DKI-derived parameters in secondary microstructure changes and behavioral scores in the PI were analyzed. Compared with the NC group, both left PI and right PI groups showed more extensive perilesional and remote white matter microstructure changes. The DKI-derived diffusion parameters showed higher sensitivities than did the DTI-derived parameters. Further, DKI-derived diffusion and kurtosis parameters in abnormal white matter regions were correlated with impaired motor and cognitive function in patients with PI. In conclusion, PI could lead to extensive white matter tracts impairment in perilesional and remote regions. Further, the diffusion and kurtosis parameters could be complementary for identifying comprehensive tissue microstructural damage after PI.

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Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging Fiber Tractography of Major White Matter Tracts in Neurosurgery

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11030381 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 381

Author(s):

Miriam H. A. Bopp ◽

Julia Emde ◽

Barbara Carl ◽

Christopher Nimsky ◽

Benjamin Saß

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Corticospinal Tract ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging ◽

Fiber Tractography ◽

White Matter Tracts ◽

The Right ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis ◽

Diffusion Tensor Imaging Dti

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based fiber tractography is routinely used in clinical applications to visualize major white matter tracts, such as the corticospinal tract (CST), optic radiation (OR), and arcuate fascicle (AF). Nevertheless, DTI is limited due to its capability of resolving intra-voxel multi-fiber populations. Sophisticated models often require long acquisition times not applicable in clinical practice. Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), as an extension of DTI, combines sophisticated modeling of the diffusion process with short acquisition times but has rarely been investigated in fiber tractography. In this study, DTI- and DKI-based fiber tractography of the CST, OR, and AF was investigated in healthy volunteers and glioma patients. For the CST, significantly larger tract volumes were seen in DKI-based fiber tractography. Similar results were obtained for the OR, except for the right OR in patients. In the case of the AF, results of both models were comparable with DTI-based fiber tractography showing even significantly larger tract volumes in patients. In the case of the CST and OR, DKI-based fiber tractography contributes to advanced visualization under clinical time constraints, whereas for the AF, other models should be considered.

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Diffusion kurtosis imaging of white matter in bipolar disorder

10.1101/2021.02.01.21250951 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Vina M Goghari ◽

Mavis Kusi ◽

Mohammed K Shakeel ◽

Clare Beasley ◽

Szabolcs David ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

White Matter ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging ◽

Simple Diffusion ◽

Spherical Deconvolution ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

The Right ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis

AbstractObjectivesWhite matter pathology is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD). However, most studies of white matter in BD have used the simple diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) model, which has several limitations. DTI studies have reported heterogenous results, leading to a lack of consensus about the extent and location of white matter alterations. Here, we applied two advanced diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate white matter microstructure in BD.MethodsTwenty-five patients with BD and 24 controls comparable for age and sex were included in the study. Whole-brain voxel-based analysis (VBA) and a network-based connectivity approach using constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD)-tractography were used to assess group differences in diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and DTI metrics.ResultsVBA showed lower mean kurtosis in the corona radiata and posterior association fibers in BD following threshold-free cluster enhancement. Regional differences in connectivity were indicated by lower mean kurtosis and kurtosis anisotropy in streamlines traversing the temporal and occipital lobes, and lower mean axial kurtosis in the right cerebellar, thalamo-subcortical pathways in BD. Significant differences were not seen in the DTI metrics following FDR- correction.ConclusionsDifferences between BD and controls were observed in DKI metrics in multiple brain regions, indicating altered connectivity across cortical, subcortical and cerebellar areas. DKI was more sensitive than DTI at detecting these differences, suggesting that DKI is useful for investigating white matter in BD.

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Neurobiological underpinnings of rapid white matter plasticity during intensive reading instruction

10.1101/2020.05.28.122499 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth Huber ◽

Aviv Mezer ◽

Jason D. Yeatman

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Reading Instruction ◽

Diffusion Mri ◽

Large Scale ◽

Mean Diffusivity ◽

Quantitative Mri ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging ◽

Control Group ◽

Intensive Reading ◽

Diffusion Kurtosis

AbstractHuman white matter is remarkably plastic. Yet it is challenging to infer the biological underpinnings of this plasticity using non-invasive measurements like diffusion MRI. Here we capitalize on metrics derived from diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) to interpret previously reported changes in mean diffusivity throughout the white matter during an 8-week, intensive reading intervention. We then use an independent quantitative MRI measurement of R1 (1/T1 relaxation time) in the same white matter regions; since R1 closely tracks variation in myelin content, it provides complementary information about white matter microstructure. Behavioral measures, multi-shell diffusion MRI data, and quantitative T1 data were collected at regular intervals during the intervention in a group of 33 children with reading difficulties (7-12 years old), and over the same period in an age-matched non-intervention control group. Changes in DKI parameters modeled over the intervention were consistent with increased hindrance in the extra-axonal space, rather than a large-scale change in axon density and/or myelination. Supporting this interpretation, analysis of R1 values did not suggest a change in myelin, although R1 estimates were correlated with individual differences in reading skill. Together, these results suggest that large-scale changes in diffusivity observed over a short timescale during an intensive educational experience are most likely to reflect changes occurring in the extra-axonal space, in line with recent work highlighting the role of glial cells in experience-dependent plasticity and learning.

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Quantification of alterations in diffusion measures of white matter integrity associated with healthy aging

10.1101/540443 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ciara J. Molloy ◽

Sinead Nugent ◽

Arun L.W. Bokde

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Linear Correlation ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Mean Diffusivity ◽

B Value ◽

Brain Functioning ◽

Negative Linear Correlation ◽

Positive Linear Correlation ◽

The Brain

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the linear association of age with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures of white matter such as fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD). We assessed patterns of overlap between linear correlations of age with FA with RD, MD and AD to characterize the process of white matter degeneration observed with ageing. 79 healthy adults aged between 18 and 75 took part in the study. The DTI data were based on 61 directions acquired with a b-value of 2000. There was a statistically significant negative linear correlation of age with FA and AD and a positive linear correlation with RD and MD, and AD. The forceps minor tract showed largest percentage of voxels with an association of age with FA, RD and AD, and the anterior thalamic radiation with MD. We found 5 main patterns of overlap: FA alone (15.95%); FA and RD (31.90%); FA and AD (12.99%); FA, RD and AD (27.37%); FA RD, and MD (6.94%). Patterns of overlap between diffusion measures may reflect underlying biological changes with healthy ageing such as loss of myelination, axonal damage, as well as mild microstructural and chronic white matter impairments. This study may provide information about causes of degeneration in specific regions of the brain, and how this may affect healthy brain functioning in older adults.

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