Abstract
Purpose: We propose a new along-tract algorithm to compare different tractography algorithms in tract curvature mapping and along-tract analysis of the arcuate fasciculus (AF). In particular, we quantified along-tract diffusion parameters and AF spatial distribution evaluating hemispheric asymmetries in a group of healthy subjects. Methods: The AF was bilaterally reconstructed in a group of 29 healthy subjects using the probabilistic ball-and-sticks model, and both deterministic and probabilistic constrained spherical deconvolution. We chose cortical ROIs as tractography targets and the developed along-tract algorithm used the Laplacian operator to parameterize the volume of the tract, allowing along-tract analysis and tract curvature mapping independent of the tractography algorithm used. Results: The Laplacian parameterization successfully described the tract geometry underlying hemispheric asymmetries in the AF curvature. Using the probabilistic tractography methods, we found more tracts branching towards cortical terminations in the left hemisphere. This influenced the left AF curvature and its diffusion parameters, which were significantly different with respect to the right. In particular, we detected projections towards the middle temporal and inferior frontal gyri bilaterally, and towards the superior temporal and precentral gyri in the left hemisphere, with a significantly increased volume and connectivity. Conclusions: The approach we propose is useful to evaluate brain asymmetries, assessing the volume, the diffusion properties and the quantitative spatial localization of the AF.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 183-193 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| Volume | 54 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 1 2018 |
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Keywords
- Arcuate fasciculus
- Ball-and-sticks model
- Constrained spherical deconvolution
- Hemispheric asymmetries
- Laplacian
- Tract curvature
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
Cite this
Along-tract analysis of the arcuate fasciculus using the Laplacian operator to evaluate different tractography methods. / Talozzi, Lia; Testa, Claudia; Evangelisti, Stefania; Cirignotta, Lorenzo; Bianchini, Claudio; Ratti, Stefano; Fantazzini, Paola; Tonon, Caterina; Manners, David Neil; Lodi, Raffaele.
In: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Vol. 54, 01.12.2018, p. 183-193.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Along-tract analysis of the arcuate fasciculus using the Laplacian operator to evaluate different tractography methods
AU - Talozzi, Lia
AU - Testa, Claudia
AU - Evangelisti, Stefania
AU - Cirignotta, Lorenzo
AU - Bianchini, Claudio
AU - Ratti, Stefano
AU - Fantazzini, Paola
AU - Tonon, Caterina
AU - Manners, David Neil
AU - Lodi, Raffaele
N1 - Ricercatori distaccati presso IRCCS a seguito Convenzione esclusiva con Università di Bologna (Tonon Caterina, Lodi Raffaele). Sia il Prof. Lodi che la Prof.ssa Tonon vengono da altro Istituto e lavori con affiliazioni diverse usciranno ancora nei prossimi anni.
PY - 2018/12/1
Y1 - 2018/12/1
N2 - Purpose: We propose a new along-tract algorithm to compare different tractography algorithms in tract curvature mapping and along-tract analysis of the arcuate fasciculus (AF). In particular, we quantified along-tract diffusion parameters and AF spatial distribution evaluating hemispheric asymmetries in a group of healthy subjects. Methods: The AF was bilaterally reconstructed in a group of 29 healthy subjects using the probabilistic ball-and-sticks model, and both deterministic and probabilistic constrained spherical deconvolution. We chose cortical ROIs as tractography targets and the developed along-tract algorithm used the Laplacian operator to parameterize the volume of the tract, allowing along-tract analysis and tract curvature mapping independent of the tractography algorithm used. Results: The Laplacian parameterization successfully described the tract geometry underlying hemispheric asymmetries in the AF curvature. Using the probabilistic tractography methods, we found more tracts branching towards cortical terminations in the left hemisphere. This influenced the left AF curvature and its diffusion parameters, which were significantly different with respect to the right. In particular, we detected projections towards the middle temporal and inferior frontal gyri bilaterally, and towards the superior temporal and precentral gyri in the left hemisphere, with a significantly increased volume and connectivity. Conclusions: The approach we propose is useful to evaluate brain asymmetries, assessing the volume, the diffusion properties and the quantitative spatial localization of the AF.
AB - Purpose: We propose a new along-tract algorithm to compare different tractography algorithms in tract curvature mapping and along-tract analysis of the arcuate fasciculus (AF). In particular, we quantified along-tract diffusion parameters and AF spatial distribution evaluating hemispheric asymmetries in a group of healthy subjects. Methods: The AF was bilaterally reconstructed in a group of 29 healthy subjects using the probabilistic ball-and-sticks model, and both deterministic and probabilistic constrained spherical deconvolution. We chose cortical ROIs as tractography targets and the developed along-tract algorithm used the Laplacian operator to parameterize the volume of the tract, allowing along-tract analysis and tract curvature mapping independent of the tractography algorithm used. Results: The Laplacian parameterization successfully described the tract geometry underlying hemispheric asymmetries in the AF curvature. Using the probabilistic tractography methods, we found more tracts branching towards cortical terminations in the left hemisphere. This influenced the left AF curvature and its diffusion parameters, which were significantly different with respect to the right. In particular, we detected projections towards the middle temporal and inferior frontal gyri bilaterally, and towards the superior temporal and precentral gyri in the left hemisphere, with a significantly increased volume and connectivity. Conclusions: The approach we propose is useful to evaluate brain asymmetries, assessing the volume, the diffusion properties and the quantitative spatial localization of the AF.
KW - Arcuate fasciculus
KW - Ball-and-sticks model
KW - Constrained spherical deconvolution
KW - Hemispheric asymmetries
KW - Laplacian
KW - Tract curvature
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85052848084&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85052848084&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.mri.2018.08.013
DO - 10.1016/j.mri.2018.08.013
M3 - Article
C2 - 30165094
AN - SCOPUS:85052848084
VL - 54
SP - 183
EP - 193
JO - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
JF - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
SN - 0730-725X
ER -