Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) tractography can be employed to simultaneously analyze three-dimensional white matter tracts in the brain. Numerous methods have been proposed to model diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance data for tractography, and we have explored the functionality of some of these for studying white and grey matter pathways in ex vivo mouse brain. Using various deterministic and probabilistic algorithms across a range of regions of interest we found that probabilistic tractography provides a more robust means of visualizing both white and grey matter pathways than deterministic tractography. Importantly, we demonstrate the sensitivity of probabilistic tractography profiles to streamline number, step size, curvature, fiber orientation distribution threshold, and wholebrain versus region of interest seeding. Using anatomically well-defined corticothalamic pathways, we show how projection maps can permit the topographical assessment of probabilistic tractography. Finally, we show how different tractography approaches can impact on dMRI assessment of tract changes in a mouse deficient for the frontal cortex morphogen, fibroblast growth factor 17. In conclusion, probabilistic tractography can elucidate the phenotypes of mice with neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental disorders in a quantitative manner.
Pubmed ID: 20303410 RIS Download
Publication data is provided by the National Library of Medicine ® and PubMed ®. Data is retrieved from PubMed ® on a weekly schedule. For terms and conditions see the National Library of Medicine Terms and Conditions.
TrackVis is software tool that can visualize and analyze fiber track data from diffusion MR imaging (DTI/DSI/HARDI/Q-Ball) tractography. It does NOT perform actual fiber tracking. Diffusion Toolkit is a set of tools that reconstruct diffusion imaging data and generate fiber track data for TrackVis to visualize. Because these two sets of tools were developed and maintained separately and each has distinguished funtionalities, they decided to distribute them as two separate programs for the ease of maintenance and upgrade. You do need both of them to perform complete diffusion data processing and analysis. Features of TrackVis include: * Cross-platform. Works on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux with native look and feel. * A variety of track filters (track selecting methods) allowing users to explore and locate specific bundles with ease. * Multiple rendering modes with customizable scalar-driven color codes. * Real-time parameter adjustment and 3D render. * Open format of the track data file allowing users to integrate customized scalar data into the track file and visualize and analyze it. Save and restore scenes in XML style scene file. * Statistical scalar analysis of tracks and ROIs. * Synchronized real-time multiple dataset analysis and display allowing time-point and/or subject comparison. Synchronized analysis and display on same dataset can also be performed in real-time remotely over the network. * Upfront in-line parameter adjustment in real-time. No tedious pop-up dialogs. TrackVis works with Track File created by Diffusion Toolkit. Diffusion Toolkit processes raw DICOM, Nifti format and ANALYZE images. TrackVis and Diffusion Toolkit are cross-platform software. They can run on Windows XP, Mac OS X as well as Linux.
View all literature mentionsSoftware library of image analysis and statistical tools for fMRI, MRI and DTI brain imaging data. Include registration, atlases, diffusion MRI tools for parameter reconstruction and probabilistic taractography, and viewer. Several brain atlases, integrated into FSLView and Featquery, allow viewing of structural and cytoarchitectonic standard space labels and probability maps for cortical and subcortical structures and white matter tracts. Includes Harvard-Oxford cortical and subcortical structural atlases, Julich histological atlas, JHU DTI-based white-matter atlases, Oxford thalamic connectivity atlas, Talairach atlas, MNI structural atlas, and Cerebellum atlas.
View all literature mentions