[Magnetic resonance axonography by diffusion weighted echo planar imaging].
Anisotropy of apparent diffusivities of water molecules is known to be an excellent means for elucidating detailed information regarding neuronal fiber direction and density in live subjects. The recent development of magnetic resonance axonography (MRX) utilizing three dimensional anisotropy contrast(3DAC), using Echo Planar Imaging(EPI), a new algorithm for the treatment of apparent diffusion tensor, has provided an unprecedented opportunity for visualizing anatomic detail of the human brain. In this study, we applied the 3DAC method in normal human brain. The results clearly demonstrated that 3DAC is highly sensitive to orientation of fiber tracts. Considering the rather simple implementational process and high anatomic resolution, MRX based on the 3DAC method appears to be the ideal non-invasive imaging technique for assessment of the human brain in biomedicine.
Matsuzawa
H
H
Sapporo Azabu Neurosurgical Hospital.
Saito
H
H
Abe
H
H
Nakada
T
T
D000465:Algorithms; D001369:Axons; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D009412:Nerve Fibers; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity