The Effect of Imaging Parameters of Diffusion Tensor Imaging on Fractional Anisotropy

Objective: Extremely preterm children are at high risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Identifying predictors of discrete developmental outcomes early in life would allow for targeted neuroprotective therapies when neuroplasticity is at its peak. Our goal was to examine whether diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics of the inferior longitudinal and uncinate fasciculi early in life could predict later cognitive and language outcomes. Study Design: In this pilot study, 43 extremely low-birth-weight preterm infants were scanned using diffusion MRI at term-equivalent age. White matter tracts were assessed via diffusion tensor imaging metrics of fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity. The Language and Cognitive subscale scores of the Bayley Scales of Infant & Toddler Development-III at 18-22 months corrected age were our outcomes of interest. Multiple linear regression models were created to assess diffusion metrics of the inferior longitudinal and uncinate fasciculi as predictors of Bayley scores. We controlled for brain injury score on structural MRI, maternal education, birth weight, and age at MRI scan. Results: Of the 43 infants, 36 infants had high-quality diffusion tensor imaging and returned for developmental testing. The fractional anisotropy of the inferior longitudinal fasciculus was associated with Bayley-III scores in univariate analyses and was an independent predictor of Bayley-III cognitive and language development over and above known predictors in multivariable analyses. Conclusions: Incorporating new biomarkers such as the fractional anisotropy of the inferior longitudinal fasciculus with structural MRI findings could enhance accuracy of neurodevelopment predictive models. Additional research is needed to validate our findings in a larger cohort.

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Utility of manual fractional anisotropy measurements in the management of patients with Parkinson disease: a feasibility study with a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging system

Acta Radiologica Open ◽

10.1177/2058460121993477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 205846012199347

Author(s):

Romulo V de Oliveira ◽

João S Pereira

Keyword(s):

Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽

Substantia Nigra ◽

Parkinson Disease ◽

Fractional Anisotropy ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Neuronal Damage ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging System ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Clinical Variables ◽

Severity Scores

Background Diffusion tensor imaging has emerged as a promising tool for quantitative analysis of neuronal damage in Parkinson disease, with potential value for diagnostic and prognostic evaluation. Purpose The aim of this study was to examine Parkinson disease-associated alterations in specific brain regions revealed by diffusion tensor imaging and how such alterations correlate with clinical variables. Material and Methods Diffusion tensor imaging was performed on 42 Parkinson disease patients and 20 healthy controls with a 1.5-T scanner. Manual fractional anisotropy measurements were performed for the ventral, intermediate, and dorsal portions of the substantia nigra, as well as for the cerebral peduncles, putamen, thalamus, and supplementary motor area. The correlation analysis between these measurements and the clinical variables was performed using χ2 variance and multiple linear regression. Results Compared to healthy controls, Parkinson disease patients had significantly reduced fractional anisotropy values in the substantia nigra ( P < .05). Some fractional anisotropy measurements in the substantia nigra correlated inversely with duration of Parkinson disease and Parkinson disease severity scores. Reduced fractional anisotropy values in the substantia nigra were also correlated inversely with age variable. fractional anisotropy values obtained for the right and left putamen varied significantly between males and females in both groups. Conclusion Manual fractional anisotropy measurements in the substantia nigra were confirmed to be feasible with a 1.5-T scanner. Diffusion tensor imaging data can be used as a reliable biomarker of Parkinson disease that can be used to support diagnosis, prognosis, and progression/treatment monitoring.

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Quantitative diffusion tensor imaging analysis does not distinguish pediatric canines with mucopolysaccharidosis I from control canines

The Neuroradiology Journal ◽

10.1177/1971400917718844 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 454-460

Author(s):

Dana M Middleton ◽

Jonathan Y Li ◽

Steven D Chen ◽

Leonard E White ◽

Patricia I Dickson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽

White Matter ◽

Fractional Anisotropy ◽

Imaging System ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging System ◽

Radial Diffusivity ◽

Mucopolysaccharidosis I ◽

Diffusivity Measurements

Purpose We compared fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity measurements between pediatric canines affected with mucopolysaccharidosis I and pediatric control canines. We hypothesized that lower fractional anisotropy and higher radial diffusivity values, consistent with dysmyelination, would be present in the mucopolysaccharidosis I cohort. Methods Six canine brains, three affected with mucopolysaccharidosis I and three unaffected, were euthanized at 7 weeks and imaged using a 7T small-animal magnetic resonance imaging system. Average fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity values were calculated for four white-matter regions based on 100 regions of interest per region per specimen. A 95% confidence interval was calculated for each mean value. Results No difference was seen in fractional anisotropy or radial diffusivity values between mucopolysaccharidosis affected and unaffected brains in any region. In particular, the 95% confidence intervals for mucopolysaccharidosis affected and unaffected canines frequently overlapped for both fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity measurements. In addition, in some brain regions a large range of fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity values were seen within the same cohort. Conclusion The fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity values of white matter did not differ between pediatric mucopolysaccharidosis affected canines and pediatric control canines. Possible explanations include: (a) a lack of white matter tissue differences between mucopolysaccharidosis affected and unaffected brains at early disease stages; (b) diffusion tensor imaging does not detect any existing differences; (c) inflammatory processes such as astrogliosis produce changes that offset the decreased fractional anisotropy values and increased radial diffusivity values that are expected in dysmyelination; and (d) our sample size was insufficient to detect differences. Further studies correlating diffusion tensor imaging findings to histology are warranted.

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3-T diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of normal uterus in young and middle-aged females during the menstrual cycle: evaluation of the cyclic changes of fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values

British Journal of Radiology ◽

10.1259/bjr.20150043 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 88 (1049) ◽

pp. 20150043 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Y He ◽

N Ding ◽

Y Li ◽

Z Li ◽

Y Xiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diffusion Coefficient ◽

Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient ◽

Fractional Anisotropy ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Apparent Diffusion ◽

Adc Values ◽

Cyclic Changes ◽

Diffusion Tensor Imaging Dti

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Increased muscle fiber fractional anisotropy value using diffusion tensor imaging after compression without fiber injury

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.1177/02841851211058282 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 028418512110582

Author(s):

Takumi Yokohama ◽

Motoyuki Iwasaki ◽

Daisuke Oura ◽

Sho Furuya ◽

Yoshimasa Niiya

Keyword(s):

Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽

Fractional Anisotropy ◽

Muscle Tissue ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Longitudinal Direction ◽

Diffusion Parameters ◽

Apparent Diffusion ◽

The Mean ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Age Range

Background Recent studies have indicated that injuries such as muscle tears modify the microstructural integrity of muscle, leading to substantial alterations in measured diffusion parameters. Therefore, the fractional anisotropy (FA) value decreases. However, we hypothesized that soft tissue, such as muscle tissue, undergoes reversible changes under conditions of compression without fiber injury. Purpose To evaluate the FA change due to compression in muscle tissue without fiber injury. Material and Methods Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on both feet of 10 healthy volunteers (mean age = 35.0 ± 10.39 years; age range = 23–52 years) using a 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner with an eight-channel phased array knee coil. An MRI-compatible sphygmomanometer was applied to the individuals’ lower legs and individuals were placed in a compressed state. Then, rest intervals of 5 min were set in re-rest state after compression. The FA value, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and eigenvalues (λ1, λ2, λ3) of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle were measured at each state. Results The mean FA values increased in all muscles in a compressed state, while the mean λ3 decreased. In all muscles, significant differences were found between the rest and compressed states in terms of mean FA and λ3 ( P < 0.0001). Conclusion We confirmed the reversibility of the DTI metrics, which suggests that there was no muscle injury during this study. In cases of compression without fiber injury, the FA value increases, because fibers are strongly aligned in the longitudinal direction.

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