[Optic radiation in normal adults: a study using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging and diffusion tensor tractography].
OBJECTIVE
To study the fractional anisotropy (FA) and the architecture of the optic radiation fiber tracts of normal adults with magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).


METHODS
Diffusion tensor images were obtained from 30 healthy volunteers without any cerebral abnormalities on conventional MRI. FA and the mean diffusivity (MD) of the optic radiation were measured in the directional encoded color (DEC) maps. The architecture of the optic radiation fiber tracts were displayed with the software of diffusion tensor fiber tracking.


RESULTS
In all subjects, the optic radiation could be readily identified in the DEC maps. The FA value was 0.509-/+0.029 in the left and 0.502-/+0.026 in the right, with the MD value of (0.763-/+0.050) x10(-3) and 0.748-/+0.052)x10(-3) mm2/s, respectively. No significant differences were found in the FA or MD value of the bilateral optic radiation (P>0.05). Diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) demonstrated that the 3 bundles of the optic radiation fibers were located in the lateral sagittal stratum, passing from the lateral geniculate body of the thalamus to the primary visual cortex. The dorsal and lateral bundles passed posteriorly to the superior bank of the calcarine cortex, while the ventral bundle passed anteriorly before making a sharp turn, known as the Meyer loop, and subsequently coursed posteriorly to terminate in the inferior margin of the calcarine cortex, which was consistent with the results of classic anatomical studies.


CONCLUSIONS
As a novel method to study the relationship between visual function and optic pathway, DTI and DTT can show the FA and architecture of the optic radiation.
Wan
Si-hai
SH
Diagnostic Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Zhang
Xue-lin
XL
Xiao
Xin-lan
XL
Sun
Xin
X
Xing
Hai-fang
HF
Qiu
Shi-jun
SJ
D000328:Adult; D016880:Anisotropy; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult