title: Constrained spherical deconvolution analysis of the limbic network in human, with emphasis on a direct cerebello-limbic pathway.
abstract: The limbic system is part of an intricate network which is involved in several functions like memory and emotion. Traditionally the role of the cerebellum was considered mainly associated to motion control; however several evidences are raising about a role of the cerebellum in learning skills, emotions control, mnemonic and behavioral processes involving also connections with limbic system. In 15 normal subjects we studied limbic connections by probabilistic Constrained Spherical Deconvolution (CSD) tractography. The main result of our work was to prove for the first time in human brain the existence of a direct cerebello-limbic pathway which was previously hypothesized but never demonstrated. We also extended our analysis to the other limbic connections including cingulate fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, uncinated fasciculus, anterior thalamic connections and fornix. Although these pathways have been already described in the tractographic literature we provided reconstruction, quantitative analysis and Fractional Anisotropy (FA) right-left symmetry comparison using probabilistic CSD tractography that is known to provide a potential improvement compared to previously used Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) techniques. The demonstration of the existence of cerebello-limbic pathway could constitute an important step in the knowledge of the anatomic substrate of non-motor cerebellar functions. Finally the CSD statistical data about limbic connections in healthy subjects could be potentially useful in the diagnosis of pathological disorders damaging this system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arrigo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Enricomaria
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mormina
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe Pio
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Anastasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaeta
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of Messina Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calamuneri
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of Messina Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quartarone
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Salvo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bruschetta
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trimarchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina Messina, Italy ; IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Demetrio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Milardi
keywords: CSD; MRI; cerebello-limbic pathway; cerebellum; hippocampus; limbic system; probabilistic tractography; quantitative analysis