High-definition fiber tracking

High definition fiber tracking (HDFT)[1] is a tractography technique where data from MRI scanners is processed through computer algorithms to reveal the detailed wiring of the brain and to pinpoint fiber tracts. Each tract contains millions of neuronal connections. HDFT is based on data acquired from diffusion spectrum imaging[2] and processed by generalized q-sampling imaging.[3][4] The technique makes it possible to virtually dissect 40 major fiber tracts in the brain.[1] The HDFT scan is consistent with brain anatomy unlike diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).[5] Thus, the use of HDFT is essential in pinpointing damaged neural connections.[6]

High-definition fiber tracking of arcuate fasciculus

History

Traditional DTI uses six diffusivity characteristics to model how water molecules diffuse in brain tissues and makes axonal fiber tracking possible.[5] However, DTI had a major limitation in resolving axons from different tracts intersected and crossed en route to their target. In 2009, Learning Research & Development Center (LRDC) at University of Pittsburgh launched the 2009 Pittsburgh Brain Competition[7] to invite the best research team to work on this problem.[8] A prize of $10,000 was offered to the team that could track optic radiations, and teams from 168 countries took part in the competition. A winning team from Taiwan revealed Meyer’s loop, which no other team had successfully tracked. The key of the method was multiple observations of water molecules and improved algorithms to better capture how axons connects brain regions. [8] The technique was further developed as HDFT between the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.[1][9]

HDFT is currently used by UPMC neurosurgery department to provide neurosurgical planning, neuro-structural damage assessment, intraoperative navigation, and evaluation of changes and responses to rehabilitation therapy after brain surgery. [10]

Applications

HDFT has been applied to traumatic brain injury (TBI) to identify which brain connections have been broken and which are still intact.[11][12][13] HDFT allows neurosurgeons to localize fiber breaks caused by traumatic brain injuries to provide better diagnoses and prognoses. It could also provide an objective way of identifying brain injury, predicting outcome and planning rehabilitation.[14] HDFT can also be used to determine the optimal surgical approach for difficult-to-reach tumors and vascular malformations.[15]

See also

References
  1. Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C.; Pathak, Sudhir; Engh, Johnathan; Jarbo, Kevin; Verstynen, Timothy; Yeh, Fang-Cheng; Wang, Yibao; Mintz, Arlan; Boada, Fernando (August 2012). "High-definition fiber tractography of the human brain: neuroanatomical validation and neurosurgical applications". Neurosurgery. 71 (2): 430–453. doi:10.1227/NEU.0b013e3182592faa. ISSN 1524-4040. PMID 22513841.
  2. Wedeen, V. J.; Wang, R. P.; Schmahmann, J. D.; Benner, T.; Tseng, W. Y. I.; Dai, G.; Pandya, D. N.; Hagmann, P.; D'Arceuil, H. (2008-07-15). "Diffusion spectrum magnetic resonance imaging (DSI) tractography of crossing fibers". NeuroImage. 41 (4): 1267–1277. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.03.036. ISSN 1053-8119. PMID 18495497. S2CID 2660208.
  3. Yeh, Fang-Cheng; Wedeen, Van Jay; Tseng, Wen-Yih Isaac (September 2010). "Generalized q-sampling imaging". IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging. 29 (9): 1626–1635. doi:10.1109/TMI.2010.2045126. ISSN 1558-254X. PMID 20304721.
  4. "Diffusion MRI Reconstruction in DSI Studio - DSI Studio". dsi-studio.labsolver.org. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  5. Alexander, Andrew L.; Lee, Jee Eun; Lazar, Mariana; Field, Aaron S. (July 2007). "Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Brain". Neurotherapeutics. 4 (3): 316–329. doi:10.1016/j.nurt.2007.05.011. ISSN 1933-7213. PMC 2041910. PMID 17599699.
  6. "High Definition Fiber Tracking ' the nerve blog | Blog Archive | Boston University". Boston University. 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
  7. PBAIC2009 (2009-02-05), Old 2009 Pittsburgh Brain Connectivity Competition Overview, retrieved 2018-01-31
  8. "Seeing the Brain's Broken Cables | DiscoverMagazine.com". Discover Magazine. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  9. "DSI Studio". dsi-studio.labsolver.org. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  10. "High Definition Fiber Tracking | UPMC | Pittsburgh, PA". UPMC | Life Changing Medicine. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  11. Shin, Samuel S.; Pathak, Sudhir; Presson, Nora; Bird, William; Wagener, Lauren; Schneider, Walter; Okonkwo, David O.; Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C. (2014). Detection of white matter injury in concussion using high-definition fiber tractography. Progress in Neurological Surgery. Vol. 28. pp. 86–93. doi:10.1159/000358767. ISBN 978-3-318-02648-1. ISSN 1662-3924. PMID 24923395.
  12. Shin, Samuel S.; Verstynen, Timothy; Pathak, Sudhir; Jarbo, Kevin; Hricik, Allison J.; Maserati, Megan; Beers, Sue R.; Puccio, Ava M.; Boada, Fernando E. (May 2012). "High-definition fiber tracking for assessment of neurological deficit in a case of traumatic brain injury: finding, visualizing, and interpreting small sites of damage". Journal of Neurosurgery. 116 (5): 1062–1069. doi:10.3171/2012.1.JNS111282. ISSN 1933-0693. PMID 22381003.
  13. "University Times ' Research Notes". University of Pittsburgh. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
  14. "High Definition Fiber Tracking | UPMC | Pittsburgh, PA". www.upmc.com. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  15. Faraji, Amir H.; Abhinav, Kumar; Jarbo, Kevin; Yeh, Fang-Cheng; Shin, Samuel S.; Pathak, Sudhir; Hirsch, Barry E.; Schneider, Walter; Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C. (November 2015). "Longitudinal evaluation of corticospinal tract in patients with resected brainstem cavernous malformations using high-definition fiber tractography and diffusion connectometry analysis: preliminary experience". Journal of Neurosurgery. 123 (5): 1133–1144. doi:10.3171/2014.12.JNS142169. ISSN 1933-0693. PMID 26047420.
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