Review Article

You have free access to this content

Diffusion-tensor MRI: theory, experimental design and data analysis – a technical review

  1. Peter J. Basser1,*,
  2. Derek K. Jones2

Article first published online: 5 DEC 2002

DOI: 10.1002/nbm.783

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 456–467, November - December 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Basser, P. J. and Jones, D. K. (2002), Diffusion-tensor MRI: theory, experimental design and data analysis – a technical review. NMR Biomed., 15: 456–467. doi: 10.1002/nbm.783

Author Information

  1. 1

    Section on Tissue Biophysics and Biomimetics, NICHD, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

  2. 2

    Section of Old Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

*Section on Tissue Biophysics and Biomimetics, NICHD, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 5 DEC 2002
  2. Article first published online: 5 DEC 2002
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 9 JAN 2002
  4. Manuscript Revised: 8 JAN 2002
  5. Manuscript Received: 16 NOV 2001

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (225K)

Keywords:

  • diffusion;
  • tensor;
  • MRI;
  • methods

Abstract

This article treats the theoretical underpinnings of diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI), as well as experimental design and data analysis issues. We review the mathematical model underlying DT-MRI, discuss the quantitative parameters that are derived from the measured effective diffusion tensor, and describe artifacts thet arise in typical DT-MRI acquisitions. We also discuss difficulties in identifying appropriate models to describe water diffusion in heterogeneous tissues, as well as in interpreting experimental data obtained in such issues. Finally, we describe new statistical methods that have been developed to analyse DT-MRI data, and their potential uses in clinical and multi-site studies. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (225K)