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Avram AV, Saleem KS, Basser PJ. COnstrained Reference frame diffusion TEnsor Correlation Spectroscopic (CORTECS) MRI: A practical framework for high-resolution diffusion tensor distribution imaging. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1054509. [PMID: 36590291 PMCID: PMC9798222 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1054509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
High-resolution imaging studies have consistently shown that in cortical tissue water diffuses preferentially along radial and tangential orientations with respect to the cortical surface, in agreement with histology. These dominant orientations do not change significantly even if the relative contributions from microscopic water pools to the net voxel signal vary across experiments that use different diffusion times, b-values, TEs, and TRs. With this in mind, we propose a practical new framework for imaging non-parametric diffusion tensor distributions (DTDs) by constraining the microscopic diffusion tensors of the DTD to be diagonalized using the same orthonormal reference frame of the mesoscopic voxel. In each voxel, the constrained DTD (cDTD) is completely determined by the correlation spectrum of the microscopic principal diffusivities associated with the axes of the voxel reference frame. Consequently, all cDTDs are inherently limited to the domain of positive definite tensors and can be reconstructed efficiently using Inverse Laplace Transform methods. Moreover, the cDTD reconstruction can be performed using only data acquired efficiently with single diffusion encoding, although it also supports datasets with multiple diffusion encoding. In tissues with a well-defined architecture, such as the cortex, we can further constrain the cDTD to contain only cylindrically symmetric diffusion tensors and measure the 2D correlation spectra of principal diffusivities along the radial and tangential orientation with respect to the cortical surface. To demonstrate this framework, we perform numerical simulations and analyze high-resolution dMRI data from a fixed macaque monkey brain. We estimate 2D cDTDs in the cortex and derive, in each voxel, the marginal distributions of the microscopic principal diffusivities, the corresponding distributions of the microscopic fractional anisotropies and mean diffusivities along with their 2D correlation spectra to quantify the cDTD shape-size characteristics. Signal components corresponding to specific bands in these cDTD-derived spectra show high specificity to cortical laminar structures observed with histology. Our framework drastically simplifies the measurement of non-parametric DTDs in high-resolution datasets with mesoscopic voxel sizes much smaller than the radius of curvature of the underlying anatomy, e.g., cortical surface, and can be applied retrospectively to analyze existing diffusion MRI data from fixed cortical tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru V. Avram
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States,Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, MD, United States,*Correspondence: Alexandru V. Avram
| | - Kadharbatcha S. Saleem
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States,Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Peter J. Basser
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Avram AV, Saleem KS, Komlosh ME, Yen CC, Ye FQ, Basser PJ. High-resolution cortical MAP-MRI reveals areal borders and laminar substructures observed with histological staining. Neuroimage 2022; 264:119653. [PMID: 36257490 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The variations in cellular composition and tissue architecture measured with histology provide the biological basis for partitioning the brain into distinct cytoarchitectonic areas and for characterizing neuropathological tissue alterations. Clearly, there is an urgent need to develop whole-brain neuroradiological methods that can assess cortical cyto- and myeloarchitectonic features non-invasively. Mean apparent propagator (MAP) MRI is a clinically feasible diffusion MRI method that quantifies efficiently and comprehensively the net microscopic displacements of water molecules diffusing in tissues. We investigate the sensitivity of high-resolution MAP-MRI to detecting areal and laminar variations in cortical cytoarchitecture and compare our results with observations from corresponding histological sections in the entire brain of a rhesus macaque monkey. High-resolution images of MAP-derived parameters, in particular the propagator anisotropy (PA), non-gaussianity (NG), and the return-to-axis probability (RTAP) reveal cortical area-specific lamination patterns in good agreement with the corresponding histological stained sections. In a few regions, the MAP parameters provide superior contrast to the five histological stains used in this study, delineating more clearly boundaries and transition regions between cortical areas and laminar substructures. Throughout the cortex, various MAP parameters can be used to delineate transition regions between specific cortical areas observed with histology and to refine areal boundaries estimated using atlas registration-based cortical parcellation. Using surface-based analysis of MAP parameters we quantify the cortical depth dependence of diffusion propagators in multiple regions-of-interest in a consistent and rigorous manner that is largely independent of the cortical folding geometry. The ability to assess cortical cytoarchitectonic features efficiently and non-invasively, its clinical feasibility, and translatability make high-resolution MAP-MRI a promising 3D imaging tool for studying whole-brain cortical organization, characterizing abnormal cortical development, improving early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, identifying targets for biopsies, and complementing neuropathological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru V Avram
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health,9000 Rockville Pike,Bethesda 20892, MD, USA; Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, 4301 Jones Bridge Road,Bethesda, 20814,MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, 20814, MD, USA.
| | - Kadharbatcha S Saleem
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health,9000 Rockville Pike,Bethesda 20892, MD, USA; Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, 4301 Jones Bridge Road,Bethesda, 20814,MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, 20814, MD, USA
| | - Michal E Komlosh
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health,9000 Rockville Pike,Bethesda 20892, MD, USA; Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, 4301 Jones Bridge Road,Bethesda, 20814,MD, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc., 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, 20814, MD, USA
| | - Cecil C Yen
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, 20892, MD, USA
| | - Frank Q Ye
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, 20892,MD, USA
| | - Peter J Basser
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health,9000 Rockville Pike,Bethesda 20892, MD, USA
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High B-value diffusion tensor imaging for early detection of hippocampal microstructural alteration in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12008. [PMID: 35835801 PMCID: PMC9283448 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15511-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have highlighted the value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with strong diffusion weighting to reveal white matter microstructural lesions, but data in gray matter (GM) remains scarce. Herein, the effects of b-values combined with different numbers of diffusion-encoding directions (NDIRs) on DTI metrics to capture the normal hippocampal microstructure and its early alterations were investigated in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis [EAE]). Two initial DTI datasets (B2700-43Dir acquired with b = 2700 s.mm−2 and NDIR = 43; B1000-22Dir acquired with b = 1000 s.mm−2 and NDIR = 22) were collected from 18 normal and 18 EAE mice at 4.7 T. Three additional datasets (B2700-22Dir, B2700-12Dir and B1000-12Dir) were extracted from the initial datasets. In healthy mice, we found a significant influence of b-values and NDIR on all DTI metrics. Confronting unsupervised hippocampal layers classification to the true anatomical classification highlighted the remarkable discrimination of the molecular layer with B2700-43Dir compared with the other datasets. Only DTI from the B2700 datasets captured the dendritic loss occurring in the molecular layer of EAE mice. Our findings stress the needs for both high b-values and sufficient NDIR to achieve a GM DTI with more biologically meaningful correlations, though DTI-metrics should be interpreted with caution in these settings.
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Reghunath A, Ghasi RG. A journey through formation and malformations of the neo-cortex. Childs Nerv Syst 2020; 36:27-38. [PMID: 31776716 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-019-04429-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malformations of cortical development (MCD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by abnormal structure of the cerebral cortex. MCDs are an important cause of development delay and intractable epilepsy in children. In this review, we explore the embryological stages of development of neo-cortex, the imageology of various malformations which may occur during the journey of this development, the recent advances in imaging techniques used for diagnosing these malformations, and finally a simplified radiological approach to malformations of cortical development. REVIEW We discuss the classification of MCD according to the embryologic stage of cerebral cortex at which the abnormality occurred and the unique imaging features of various malformations, including microcephaly, hemimegalencephaly, lissencephaly, focal cortical dysplasia, heterotopias, polymicrogyria, schizencephaly, and neonatal CMV infection. Also, a rare variant of hemimegalencephaly, namely posterior quadrantic dysplasia, is illustrated; the diagnosis of which is crucial for neurosurgeons to decide management. The technological advancement in the imaging of MCD has taken a leap in the recent years. Imaging now also plays an enormous role in mapping of the abnormalities, delineation of proper surgical boundaries, and quantifying risks of visual, language, and sensorimotor dysfunction. With the introduction of various motor-sparing surgeries and disconnection procedures, proper identification and delineation of these malformations have gained utmost significance. CONCLUSION Knowledge of the wide imaging spectrum of MCD, familiarity with recent advances in imaging and an optimal radiological approach is essential for the general radiologist to accurately diagnose and prognosticate MCD as well as provide the best surgical approach to the operating surgeon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjuna Reghunath
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Rohini Gupta Ghasi
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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Bouyssi-Kobar M, Brossard-Racine M, Jacobs M, Murnick J, Chang T, Limperopoulos C. Regional microstructural organization of the cerebral cortex is affected by preterm birth. Neuroimage Clin 2018; 18:871-880. [PMID: 29876271 PMCID: PMC5988027 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To compare regional cerebral cortical microstructural organization between preterm infants at term-equivalent age (TEA) and healthy full-term newborns, and to examine the impact of clinical risk factors on cerebral cortical micro-organization in the preterm cohort. Study design We prospectively enrolled very preterm infants (gestational age (GA) at birth<32 weeks; birthweight<1500 g) and healthy full-term controls. Using non-invasive 3T diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics, we quantified regional micro-organization in ten cerebral cortical areas: medial/dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior/posterior cingulate cortex, insula, posterior parietal cortex, motor/somatosensory/auditory/visual cortex. ANCOVA analyses were performed controlling for sex and postmenstrual age at MRI. Results We studied 91 preterm infants at TEA and 69 full-term controls. Preterm infants demonstrated significantly higher diffusivity in the prefrontal, parietal, motor, somatosensory, and visual cortices suggesting delayed maturation of these cortical areas. Additionally, postnatal hydrocortisone treatment was related to accelerated microstructural organization in the prefrontal and somatosensory cortices. Conclusions Preterm birth alters regional microstructural organization of the cerebral cortex in both neurocognitive brain regions and areas with primary sensory/motor functions. We also report for the first time a potential protective effect of postnatal hydrocortisone administration on cerebral cortical development in preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Bouyssi-Kobar
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA; Institute for Biomedical Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | - Marie Brossard-Racine
- Department of Pediatrics Neurology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A3J1, Canada.
| | - Marni Jacobs
- Division of Biostatistics and Study Methodology, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
| | - Jonathan Murnick
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
| | - Taeun Chang
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- The Developing Brain Research Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
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Hutter J, Tournier JD, Price AN, Cordero‐Grande L, Hughes EJ, Malik S, Steinweg J, Bastiani M, Sotiropoulos SN, Jbabdi S, Andersson J, Edwards AD, Hajnal JV. Time-efficient and flexible design of optimized multishell HARDI diffusion. Magn Reson Med 2018; 79:1276-1292. [PMID: 28557055 PMCID: PMC5811841 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Advanced diffusion magnetic resonance imaging benefits from collecting as much data as is feasible but is highly sensitive to subject motion and the risk of data loss increases with longer acquisition times. Our purpose was to create a maximally time-efficient and flexible diffusion acquisition capability with built-in robustness to partially acquired or interrupted scans. Our framework has been developed for the developing Human Connectome Project, but different application domains are equally possible. METHODS Complete flexibility in the sampling of diffusion space combined with free choice of phase-encode-direction and the temporal ordering of the sampling scheme was developed taking into account motion robustness, internal consistency, and hardware limits. A split-diffusion-gradient preparation, multiband acceleration, and a restart capacity were added. RESULTS The framework was used to explore different parameters choices for the desired high angular resolution diffusion imaging diffusion sampling. For the developing Human Connectome Project, a high-angular resolution, maximally time-efficient (20 min) multishell protocol with 300 diffusion-weighted volumes was acquired in >400 neonates. An optimal design of a high-resolution (1.2 × 1.2 mm2 ) two-shell acquisition with 54 diffusion weighted volumes was obtained using a split-gradient design. CONCLUSION The presented framework provides flexibility to generate time-efficient and motion-robust diffusion magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions taking into account hardware constraints that might otherwise result in sub-optimal choices. Magn Reson Med 79:1276-1292, 2018. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Hutter
- Centre for the Developing BrainKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Biomedical Engineering DepartmentKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Anthony N. Price
- Centre for the Developing BrainKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Biomedical Engineering DepartmentKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Lucilio Cordero‐Grande
- Centre for the Developing BrainKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Biomedical Engineering DepartmentKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Emer J. Hughes
- Centre for the Developing BrainKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Biomedical Engineering DepartmentKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Shaihan Malik
- Biomedical Engineering DepartmentKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Joseph V. Hajnal
- Centre for the Developing BrainKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Biomedical Engineering DepartmentKing's College LondonLondonUK
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Berchicci M, Comani S. Editorial: Bridging the gap before and after birth: methods and technologies to explore the functional neural development in humans. Front Hum Neurosci 2015; 9:571. [PMID: 26528170 PMCID: PMC4604242 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marika Berchicci
- BIND - Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara Chieti, Italy ; Department of Human Movement, Social and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico," Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Comani
- BIND - Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara Chieti, Italy ; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara Chieti, Italy ; Casa di Cura Privata Villa Serena Città Sant'Angelo, Italy
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