Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Leukoaraiosis, Normal Appearing Brain Tissue, and Normal Brain Tissue
- Author:
Nur Hartini Mohd Taib
;
Wan Ahmad Kamil Wan Abdullah
;
Ibrahim Lutfi Shuaib
;
Enrico Magosso
;
Suzana Mat Isa
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Diffusion tensor imaging;
Diffusion tractography;
Brain;
Leukoaraiosis
- MeSH:
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2015;11(1):1-10
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique. DTI
provides quantitative information at microstuructural level via its parameter indices e.g. mean diffusivity
(MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA). It also allows for visualization of neuron fibres through a specific
technique called fibre tractography. Leukoaraiosis is an asymptomatic pathological condition of the brain
white matter which appears hyperintense on T2-weighted MRI images. Association of leukoaraiosis
with age and ischemic heart disease have been previously reported. The objective of this study is to
compare MD and FA values measured in various areas of the brain white matter (WM), grey matter
(GM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in humans using DTI. 30 subjects with leukoaraiosis and 12
subjects without leukoaraiosis underwent brain scan using GE 1.5 Tesla MRI system. Region of interests
were located in the CSF and various WM and GM areas. Comparison of MD and FA values was made
between leukoaraiosis tissue (LA) and normal appearing brain tissue (NABT) measured within the
same leukoaraiosis subjects, and with normal brain tissue (CONTROL) of healthy control subjects. LA
demonstrated a significantly higher MD and lower FA compared to NABT and CONTROL in frontal
and occipital WM areas. No differences were observed in MD in any brain region between NABT and
CONTROL. Whereas no differences were observed in FA between NABT and CONTROL except in the
occipital WM. Fibre tractography showed 31.7% to 56.1% lesser fibre tracts in LA subjects compared
to CONTROL subjects. Significant differences were found between pathological tissue compared to
normal appearing brain tissue and normal brain tissue. Fibre tractography exposed reduced number of
neural fibres in leukoaraiosis subjects as compared to normal subjects.
- Full text:P020150604437087485349.pdf
