Diffusion tensor imaging can detect and quantify corticospinal tract degeneration after stroke.
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) fully characterises water molecule mobility in vivo, allowing an exploration of fibre tract integrity and orientation in the human brain. Using DTI this study demonstrates reduced fibre coherence (anisotropy) associated with cerebral infarction and in the corticospinal tract remote from the lesion, in five patients 2 to 6 months after ischaemic stroke. The study highlights the potential of DTI to detect and monitor the structural degeneration of fibre pathways, which may provide a better understanding of the pattern of clinical evolution after stroke.
Werring
D J
DJ
NMR Research Unit, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
Toosy
A T
AT
Clark
C A
CA
Parker
G J
GJ
Barker
G J
GJ
Miller
D H
DH
Thompson
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D016880:Anisotropy; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D004058:Diffusion; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014855:Wallerian Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology