What is diffusion tensor imaging for dummies?
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that provides detailed information about tissue microstructure such as fiber orientation, axonal density, and degree of myelination. DTI is based on the measurement of the diffusion of water molecules.
Why is diffusion tensor imaging important?
As DTI provides additional information regarding the brain anatomy over conventional MRI, it is regarded as a more sensitive tool to investigate normal brain development as well as congenital brain development disorders.
Is diffusion tensor imaging safe?
DTI tractography is considered safe in moderation; it is painless and does not use radiation. If contrast dye is used during your DTI tractography exam, you may experience a rash or itchiness.
What is a DTI study?
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows a live look into the microstructure of white matter in the brain and is an important complement to volumetric studies of specific structures such as the amygdala.
How does an DTI work?
DTI is a sensitive probe of cellular structure that works by measuring the diffusion of water molecules. The measured quantity is the diffusivity or diffusion coefficient, a proportionality constant that relates diffusive flux to a concentration gradient [8] and has units of m m 2 s .
Is diffusion tensor imaging MRI?
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a novel MRI-based technology which provides a measure of the microstructural integrity of white matter fiber tracts, rendering it a promising biomarker candidate for subtle tissue changes affecting the integrity of the brain’s structural connections and interregional information …
How does diffusion imaging work?
In simplified terms, diffusion imaging works by introducing extra gradient pulses whose effect “cancels out” for stationary water molecules, and causes a random phase shift for molecules that diffuse. Due to their random phase, signal from diffusing molecules is lost.
Is DTI structural or functional?
Thus, DTI provides information about structural connectivity, as compared to functional connectivity data from rsFMRI. Perhaps most importantly, DTI can illustrate to the surgeon the relationship of a tumor to underlying white matter tracts.
Who invented diffusion tensor imaging?
Peter Basser
The diffusion tensor was originally proposed for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by Peter Basser in 1994 [5, 6].
What are the types of measurements used in diffusion tensor imaging DTI )?
4.1. 2 Measures of diffusion anisotropy
- The fractional anisotropy, or FA [44], is the most widely used anisotropy measure.
- Three intuitive measures are CL, CP, and CS: the linear, planar, and spherical shape measures [37, 45].
What’s the use of DTI?
Besides overseeing the effective implementation and enforcement of trade regulation and fair trade laws, the DTI provides protection to consumers through consumer education and information dissemination programs. Information materials such as Consumer Alerts, Tips, and Advisories are regularly released and updated.