MR Color Mapping of Myelin Fiber Orientation

Authors:
  • RTRobert Turner
    Robert Turner
  • NPNichoias Patronas
    Nichoias Patronas
  • DBDenis Le Bihan
    Denis Le Bihan
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Abstract
Diffusion of water in brain white matter has been shown to be anisotropic: Water mobility is lower when measured perpendicular to the fiber direction rather than parallel to it. This feature was used to produce images of the myelin fiber orientation. Coronal and sagittal MR diffusion images were obtained in volunteers using an echo-planar imaging sequence sensitized to molecular diffusion in perpendicular directions. Color-coded images of myelin orientation were then generated by combining these images together. The orientation of the white matter tracts was found to be in excellent agreement with known anatomy. Myelin fiber orientation mapping may offer a new perspective to evaluate white matter disorders.