title: In vivo visualization of white matter fiber tracts of preterm- and term-infant brains with diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to test the feasibility of visualizing a 3-dimensional structure of cerebral white matter fiber tracts in preterm infants, postconceptional age (PCA) 28 weeks to term, by using volumetric diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) data.
  
  
  METHODS
  We combined tractography algorithms and visualization methods, currently available for adult DTI data, to trace the pixelated principal direction of a diffusion tensor originating from regions-of-interest with high fractional anisotropy. Consequently, white matter fiber bundles from the genu and the splenium of corpus callosum, the corticospinal tracts, the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi, and optic radiations were visualized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results suggest that major white matter tracts of preterm infant brains, with PCAs ranging from 28 weeks to term (40 weeks old), can be successfully visualized despite the small brain volume and low anisotropy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The feasibility of fiber tractography in preterm neonates with DTI may add a new dimension in detection and characterization of white matter injuries of preterm infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. yoo@bwh.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Seung-Schik
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Hae-Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Janet S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Soul
authors.forename: Hatsuho
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mamata
authors.forename: HyunWook
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Carl-Fredrik
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Westin
authors.forename: Haim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bassan
authors.forename: Adre J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Du Plessis
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Stephan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ringer
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Volpe
authors.forename: Gary P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Zientara
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male