title: Evaluation of optimized b-value sampling schemas for diffusion kurtosis imaging with an application to stroke patient data.
abstract: Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) is a new method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that provides non-Gaussian information that is not available in conventional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). DKI requires data acquisition at multiple b-values for parameter estimation; this process is usually time-consuming. Therefore, fewer b-values are preferable to expedite acquisition. In this study, we carefully evaluated various acquisition schemas using different numbers and combinations of b-values. Acquisition schemas that sampled b-values that were distributed to two ends were optimized. Compared to conventional schemas using equally spaced b-values (ESB), optimized schemas require fewer b-values to minimize fitting errors in parameter estimation and may thus significantly reduce scanning time. Following a ranked list of optimized schemas resulted from the evaluation, we recommend the 3b schema based on its estimation accuracy and time efficiency, which needs data from only 3 b-values at 0, around 800 and around 2600 s/mm2, respectively. Analyses using voxel-based analysis (VBA) and region-of-interest (ROI) analysis with human DKI datasets support the use of the optimized 3b (0, 1000, 2500 s/mm2) DKI schema in practical clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, East China Normal University, Shanghai 20062, China. maxwell4444@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Minxiong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Lingfang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: Dazhi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Mingxia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yongdi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Dongrong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018401:Sample Size; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D020521:Stroke / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Diffusion kurtosis imaging; Diffusion tensor imaging; Non-Gaussian diffusion; Optimized b-value; b-value sampling