Does diffusion-tensor MR imaging provide accurate tracing of specific white matter tracts that correspond to actual anatomic and functional units in the central nervous system?

Publication Type	Comment
Authors	Kim S, Melhem E
Journal	Radiology
Volume	249
Issue	3
Pagination	725-7
Date Published	12/01/2008
ISSN	1527-1315
Keywords	Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Visual Pathways
Abstract	By using healthy common marmoset monkeys, Yamada et al traced the retinogeniculate pathways with ultra high-spatial-resolution manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and diffusion-tensor imaging at 7 T. Both methods were compared with morphologic findings described in published histopathologic studies. Both methods provided identical tracing of the optic nerve, optic chiasm, and optic tracts to the level of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), faithfully reproducing the crossing of the nasal portion of the optic nerve at the level of the chiasm into the contralateral optic tract. This study strongly suggests that diffusion-tensor imaging, a noninvasive method that can be used in human research and clinical practice, has the potential to provide accurate tracing of specific white matter tracts that correspond to actual anatomic and functional units in the central nervous system.
DOI	10.1148/radiol.2493081531
PubMed ID	19011176