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Fiber tracking: principles and strategies – a technical review

  1. Susumu Mori*,
  2. Peter C. M. van Zijl

Article first published online: 5 DEC 2002

DOI: 10.1002/nbm.781

Issue

NMR in Biomedicine

NMR in Biomedicine

Special Issue: Diffusion tensor imaging and axonal mapping - state of the art

Volume 15, Issue 7-8, pages 468–480, November - December 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mori, S. and van Zijl, P. C. M. (2002), Fiber tracking: principles and strategies – a technical review. NMR Biomed., 15: 468–480. doi: 10.1002/nbm.781

Author Information

  1. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science and Kennedy Krieger Institute, F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

*Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, 217 Traylor Building, 720 Rutland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 5 DEC 2002
  2. Article first published online: 5 DEC 2002
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 20 JAN 2002
  4. Manuscript Revised: 3 JAN 2002
  5. Manuscript Received: 29 JUN 2001

Funded by

  • Unknown funding agency. Grant Number: P41 RR15241–O1A1

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Keywords:

  • axonal tracking;
  • diffusion tensor imaging, DTI;
  • brain;
  • methods

Abstract

  1. Top of page
  2. Abstract
  3. REFERENCES

The state of the art of reconstruction of the axonal tracts in the central nervous system (CNS) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is reviewed. This relatively new technique has generated much enthusiasm and high expectations because it presently is the only approach available to non-invasively study the three-dimensional architecture of white matter tracts. While there is no doubt that DTI fiber tracking is providing exciting new opportunities to study CNS anatomy, it is very important to understand its limitations. In this review we therefore assess the basic principles and the assumptions that need to be made for each step of the study, including both data acquisition and the elaborate fiber reconstruction algorithms. Special attention is paid to situations where complications may arise, and possible solutions are reviewed. Validation issues and potential future directions and improvements are also discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

REFERENCES

  1. Top of page
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Abbreviations used:
ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

CNS

central nervous system

CST

cortio-spinal tract, DTI, diffusion tensor imaging

FACT

fiber assignment by continuous tracking

FPT

frontopontine tract

ROI

region of interest

SLF

superior longitudinal fasciculus

SNR

signal-to-noise ratio

TPOPT

temporo parietalo occipital pontine tract

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