年龄对正常成人脑弥散特性影响的初步研究

目的：探讨年龄因素对正常成人脑组织弥散的影响特点。材料和方法：对60例不同年龄组正常成人脑进行弥散张量成像，在表观弥散系数图及各向异性系数图上分别测定脑内不同解剖部位的表观弥散系数值和各向异性系数值．并进行统计学分析。结果：不同年龄组脑内不同解剖部位测得的弥散参数无显著差异。结论：年龄对正常成人脑组织弥散特性无显著影响。     

正常成人大脑白质纤维磁共振弥散张量成像的定量研究

目的:运用弥散张量成像(DTI)定量研究正常成人脑白质不同解剖部位的各向异性特点.方法:对60名正常成人按年龄分成四组,均行DTI检查,分析其表面弥散系数(ADC)图及各向异性分数(FA)图的特点,并对不同解剖部位的脑白质进行ADC值及FA值的定量分析,通过统计学分析得出其弥散系数和各向异性特点.结果:不同年龄组间相同解剖部位脑白质ADC值及FA值的差异无统计学意义;不同解剖部位间FA值及ADC值的差异具有显著性.结论:DTI可清晰显示脑内白质的走行及方向,FA能准确定量分析正常成人不同部位脑白质纤维的各向异性程度.     

正常成人脑结构的弥散张量成像参数测定及分析

目的　运用弥散张量成像 (DTI)方法来探讨脑内不同组织及解剖部位的弥散各向异性特点。资料与方法　采用单次激发自旋回波EPI成像序列 ,将弥散敏感梯度依次施加在六个不同 (P、M、S、MP、PS、MS)的方向进行DTI,获得正常成人脑的弥散张量图及各向异性指数图 ,在脑内不同解剖部位进行各向异性指数、张量的轨迹及平均弥散率测定并进行统计学分析。结果　脑内不同组织及解剖部位的弥散各向异性程度不同 ,脑白质的弥散各向异性远大于丘脑与脑灰质 (P <0 .0 1) ;在脑白质的不同解剖部位 ,其各向异性特点也不相同 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,脑白质连合纤维 (胼胝体 )的各向异性程度最高 ,其次为脑白质的投射纤维 (内囊 ) ,再次为联合纤维 (半卵圆中心 )。张量的轨迹及平均弥散率在脑内的不同部位具有一致性。结论　DTI可准确测定脑内不同组织弥散的各向异性特点 ,并且可清晰显示脑内神经纤维束的方向及走行 ,可为临床脑白质病的研究提供新的功能测定方法     

不同弥散强度对脑组织ADC值及FA值测定的影响

探讨不同弥散强度对弥散张量成像中表观弥散系数值及部分各向异性指数值测定的影响.材料和方法:使用七个不同的弥散梯度(b值分别为b0=0、b1=500s/mm2、b2=1000s/mm2、b3=1500s/mm2、b4=2000s/mm2、b5=2500s/mm2和b6=3000s/mm2)对20名正常成人脑组织进行弥散张量成像,对7个不同的b值分别进行组合(组合方式为b0b1、b0b2、b0b3、b0b5、b0b6和b0b6)及后处理,分别获得其ADC图和FA图,然后在ADC图和FA图上分别测定尾状核头、内囊后肢、丘脑、半卵圆中心、侧脑室体部及胼胝体膝部和压部的数值并进行统计学分析.结果:脑内各个解剖部位的ADC值均随着弥散强度的增加而显著降低(P＜0.05);FA值不随弥散强度的改变而改变(P＞0.05).结论:FA值不随弥散强度的改变而发生改变;随着弥散强度的改变,ADC值也发生改变,在进行临床研究时要充分考虑弥散强度对ADC值测定的影响.     

正常青年人群脑磁共振扩散张量成像的定量研究

目的:运用扩散张量成像(DTI)方法研究正常青年人群不同脑组织及解剖部位的各向异性特点.方法:对40名正常青年人群行DTI成像,分析其表面扩散系数(ADC)图及各向异性分数(FA)图的特点,并对不同脑组织进行ADC及FA值的定量分析,通过统计学分析得出其扩散和各向异性特点.结果:扩散系数ADC不能区分脑灰质与脑白质(ADC分别为807.78±90.29,775.79±115.31×10-6mm2/s,P=0.098).而脑脊液、脑灰质与脑白质间的FA值间差异均具有显著性意义(P<0.05).不同解剖部位的脑白质间具有显著不同的各向异性(P<0.05).胼胝体压部的各向异性程度最高(0.73±0.09),其次为胼胝体膝部与内囊后肢(0.68±0.05,0.67±0.06),半卵圆中心与枕钳最低(0.53±0.09,0.53±0.09).脑灰质中以背侧丘脑具有最高的各向异性(0.31±0.04).结论:FA可准确定量正常青年人群不同脑组织的扩散特点,DTI可清晰显示脑内白质的方向及走行.     

磁共振弥散张量成像对正常大脑白质纤维束构象的初步研究

目的利用磁共振弥散张量成像(DTI)研究正常成人脑内各部位各向异性程度及正常白质纤维束构象特征.方法对25名正常志愿者进行常规MR及DTI序列检查,重建FA图及三维彩色编码张量图.分别在半卵圆中心、基底节区和大脑脚层面测量主要白质束的FA值.结果DTI显示灰质与白质区各向异性存在显著差异,不同部位的白质纤维束各向异性程度亦不相同,且左右两侧基本对称,重建FA图和三维彩色编码张量图可显示白质内大部分主要的白质纤维束.结论DTI可清晰显示脑内白质纤维束的走行及分布,为了解脑功能与白质通路间关系提供了有力研究手段.     

成人脑组织水分子扩散的各向异性

目的 定量地研究正常成人脑组织内水分子扩散的各向异性。方法 利用多层面、多轴向平面回波的磁共振扩散加权成像分别对体外的生理盐水和２３例 脑组织的多个解剖部位进行水分子扩散的定量研究,包括表观扩散系数（ＡＤＣ）及其变异系数（ＣＶ）等。结果 体外的生理盐水的扩散系数在不同扩散梯度方向上无显著性差异,表现为扩散的各向同性。而除丘脑外的正常脑灰质团块（尾状核头部和豆状核）及白质（半卵圆中心、内囊后肢、胼胝     

不同b值在正常人脑弥散加权成像中的应用

目的:探讨不同b值对MR弥散加权成像(DWI)的信号强度、表观弥散系数和图像质量的影响.方法:使用3种不同的b值(b=1000s/mm2,2000s/mm2,3000s/mm2)对30例正常成人在1.5T MR上进行弥散加权成像磁共振扫描,测量多个灰白质感兴趣区和背景噪声的信号强度和表观弥散系数,计算不同b值下图像的信噪比、对噪比,并分析这些参数随着b值的变化关系.结果:随着b值的增加,各感兴趣区的信号强度、表观弥散系数、信噪比均显著下降,内囊后肢对噪比逐渐升高,各灰质感兴趣区对噪比显著下降.结论:b值的选择对图像的输出参数和图像质苗有着显著的影响,不同的b值揭示了小同的大脑组织信息.     

多发性硬化患者弥散张量成像及其与认知功能的关系

目的: 探讨多发性硬化(MS)患者脑内病灶及脑组织的MR弥散张量成像(DTI)特点及其与认知功能的关系.材料和方法:对7例MS患者进行韦氏智力量表测查及头颅DTI检查.结果:病灶、病灶周围看似正常的组织(PWM)、看似正常的白质(NAWM)及看似正常的灰质(NAGM)较对照组相应部位脑组织的表观扩散系数(ADC)值增高,各向异性(FA)值减低.有智能损害的MS患者的NAWM、NAGM的ADC值高于智能正常的患者;而其NAGM的FA值低于智能正常的患者.结论:PWM、NAWM及NAGM组织内存在结构与功能改变,并影响认知功能.DTI有助于发现认知改变的微小结构和功能的异常.     

健康成人脑组织ADC值的测量及其影响因素分析

目的 测量健康成人脑组织的表观弥散系数(apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC)值,比较左右两侧脑结构的弥散特征,分析年龄和性别对ADC值的影响.方法 50例健康成人志愿者行弥散加权成像(diffusion-weighted imaging, DWI).在DWI图像上选取23个脑区,左右对称性放置ROI行ADC值测量.结果 不同解剖区域平均ADC值由高到低依次为: 大脑皮层灰质[(0.760±0.054)×10-3mm2/s]、侧脑室周围白质[(0.728±0.097)×10-3mm2/s]、海马[(0.722±0.096)×10-3mm2/s]、大脑白质[(0.709±0.076)×10-3mm2/s]、杏仁体[(0.705±0.098)×10-3mm2/s]、内囊[(0.678±0.094) ×10-3mm2/s]、丘脑[(0.664±0.116)×10-3mm2/s]、基底节灰质[(0.636±0.095)×10-3mm2/s]、桥脑[(0.534±0.096)×10-3mm2/s].除颞叶皮层,颞、顶、枕叶白质,半卵圆中心和侧脑室体后白质的ADC值有显著的左右侧差异外(P<0.01),其余部位左右侧均无显著性差异(P>0.05).壳核、左内囊前肢和膝部及脑室周围白质(额角、枕角、侧脑室体前和体后)的ADC值与年龄呈正相关(r≥0.40,P＜0.05), 其中左内囊膝部和左右侧额角周围白质ADC值与年龄呈直线相关(P＜0.05).各部位脑组织的ADC值均无性别差异(P>0.05).结论 健康成人脑组织的ADC值受年龄和左右侧别的影响,这将为今后DWI的定量研究及临床应用提供参考.     

磁共振扩散张量成像对正常人脑结构的显示及各向异性研究

目的 探讨不同脑组织结构在扩散张量成像（DTI）中的信号特点及各向异性。资料与方法 对20名正常人行DTI,分析其平均扩散系数（ADC）图及部分各向异性（FA）图的特点,并对不同感兴趣区（ROI）进行ADC及FA值的测量,通过统计学分析得出其扩散和各向异性特点。结果男女之间比较,同一部位的ADC及FA值差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,对称结构而言,左右侧的ADC或FA值相比差异也无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。ADC图上脑脊液呈明显的高信号,而其余脑组织呈不同程度的较低信号,且信号差别不大。侧脑室体部内的脑脊液与其他ROIADC值相比,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,而其余ROI之间的ADC值则无差异（P〉0．05）。FA图可以清晰反映脑白质纤维,呈明显的高信号。不同白质纤维的FA值不一致,胼胝体压部的FA值最大,并与胼胝体膝部差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。与其他测量结构差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。脑白质的各向异性按胼胝体、内囊、半卵圆中心、外囊逐渐降低。侧脑室体部内脑脊液的FA值最低。结论 不同部位脑组织的各向异性及信号不同。ADC图主要体现脑脊液与其他脑组织的差异,而FA图可以清晰显示脑内的白质纤维,并能定量反映不同部位各向异性的特征。     

Comparisons of regional white matter diffusion in healthy neonates and adults performed with a 3.0-T head-only MR imaging unit

PURPOSE: To evaluate the normal brains of adults and neonates for regional and age-related differences in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight healthy adults and 20 healthy neonates were examined with a 3.0-T head-only magnetic resonance (MR) imaging unit by using a single-shot diffusion-tensor sequence. Trace ADC maps, FA maps, directional maps of the putative directions of white matter (WM) tracts, and fiber-tracking maps were obtained. Regions of interest-eight in WM and one in gray matter (GM)-were predefined for the ADC and FA measurements. The Student t test was used to compare FA and ADC between adults and neonates, whereas the Tukey multiple-comparison test was used to compare FA and ADC in different brain regions in the adult and neonate groups. RESULTS: A global elevation in ADC (P <.001) in both GM and WM and a reduction in FA (P <.001) in WM were observed in neonates as compared with these values in adults. In addition, significant regional variations in FA and ADC were observed in both groups. Regional variations in FA and ADC were less remarkable in adults, whereas neonates had consistently higher FA values and lower ADC values in the central WM as compared with these values in the peripheral WM. Fiber tracking revealed only major WM tracts in the neonates but fibers extending to the peripheral WM in the adults. CONCLUSION: There were regional differences in FA and ADC values in the neonates; such variations were less remarkable in the adults.     

Contribution of diffusion tensor MR imaging in detecting cerebral microstructural changes in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: After an early progression of signal intensity changes in T2-weighted MR images, also known as "neurofibromatosis bright objects," in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), there is a tendency toward regression or even disappearance in early adulthood. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether adult patients with NF-1 exhibit generalized microstructural alterations even in normal-appearing brain regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional and diffusion tensor MR imaging of the brain was obtained in 10 adult patients with NF-1 and 10 age-matched healthy volunteers. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured in brain stem, basal ganglia, thalamus, corpus callosum, and frontal and parietooccipital white matter regions. RESULTS: Significantly increased ADC and decreased FA values were found in all regions of interest and in all patients with NF-1, irrespective of their scholastic achievement and subsequent professional performance, compared with control subjects (P < .001). There were no significant correlations with the age (P > .1) or with the lateralization between brain hemispheres (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Diffusion tensor imaging reveals globally elevated FA and decreased ADC values in the mature brains of patients with NF-1, which is most likely a consequence of diffuse and basic alterations in cerebral microstructure that result from the underlying gene mutation.     

MRI measurements of water diffusion: impact of region of interest selection on ischemic quantification

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ADC heterogeneity on region of interest (ROI) measurement of isotropic and anisotropic water diffusion in acute (< 12 h) cerebral infarctions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Full diffusion tensor images were retrospectively analyzed in 32 patients with acute cerebral infarction. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured in ischemic lesions and in the corresponding contralateral, normal appearing brain by using four ROIs for each patient. The 2 x 2 pixel square ROIs were placed in the center, the lateral rim and the medial rim of the infarction. In addition, the whole volume of the infarction was measured using a free hand method. Each ROI value obtained from the ischemic lesion was normalized using contralateral normal ROI values. RESULTS: The localization of the ROIs in relation to the ischemic lesion significantly affected ADC measurement (P < 0.01, using Friedman test), but not FA measurement (P = 0.25). Significant differences were found between ADC values of the center of the infarction versus whole volume (P < 0.01), and medial rim versus whole volume of infarction (P < 0.001) with variation of relative ADC values up to 11%. The differences of absolute ADC for these groups were 22 and 23%, respectively. The lowest ADC was found in the center, followed by medial rim, lateral rim and whole volume of infarction. CONCLUSION: ADC quantification may provide variable results depending on ROI method. The ADC and FA values, obtained from the center of infarction tend to be lower compared to the periphery. The researchers who try to compare studies or work on ischemic quantification should be aware of these differences and effects.     

3．0T弥散张量成像FA值和ADC值在颅脑恶性星形细胞瘤中的运用

目的：探讨磁共振弥散张量成像FA值和ADC值在颅脑恶性星形细胞瘤中的应用价值。方法：收集经手术及组织病理学证实的恶性星形细胞瘤患者14例,术前行常规MRI平扫、DTI检查、增强扫描及1H-MRS检查,工作站自动生成各向异性指数图（FA图）及表观弥散系数图（ADC图）,定义肿瘤实质区为最高Cho／Cr和Cho／NAA比值、异常强化、T2WI信号异常区;定义瘤体边缘为Cho／Cr和Cho／NAA比值异常、无强化、T2WI信号异常区;定义瘤周水肿区为正常MRS表现、无强化、T2WI信号异常区;定义正常白质区为正常MRS表现、无强化、T2WI信号正常区（肿瘤同侧或对侧）;分别测量上述区域的FA1—4值、ADC1—4值,分析比较上述4个区FA值、ADC值有无统计学差异。结果：肿瘤实质区、瘤体边缘、瘤周水肿区及正常白质区平均FA值为FA1：0．1822±0．0583,FA2：0．2947±0．0786,FA3：0．1769±0．0942,FA4：0．6668±0．0817。肿瘤实质区、瘤体边缘、瘤周水肿区与正常自质区比较差异有高度显著性（P=0．000）,瘤体边缘与肿瘤实质区、瘤周水肿区之间差异有高度显著性（P〈0．005）,肿瘤实质区与瘤周水肿区差异无显著性（P〉0．05）;平均ADC值为ADC1：11．132±4．101,ADC2：11．175±2．983,ADCB：14．939±2．857,ADCA：7．265±0．914（单位10^-3mm^2／s）。瘤体实质部、肿瘤边缘及瘤周水肿区与正常脑白质区ADC值差异有高度显著性（P〈0．005）;瘤体实质部、肿瘤边缘与瘤周水肿区差异有高度显著性（P〈0．005）;而瘤体实质部与肿瘤边缘差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。结论：FA值和ADC值对高级别星形细胞瘤浸润范围的划定有重要价值。     

Regional ADC values of the normal brain: differences due to age,gender, and laterality

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of measurement for apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in normal brain, to clarify the effect of aging on ADC values, to compare ADC values between men and women, and to compare ADC values between right and left sides of the brain. To evaluate the stability of measurements, five normal volunteers (four men and one woman) were examined five times on different days. Then, 294 subjects with normal MR imaging (147 men and 147 women; age range 20–89 years) were measured. The ADC measurement in normal volunteers was stable. The ADC values stayed within the 5% deviation of average values in all volunteers (mean±standard deviation 2.3±1.2%). The ADC values gradually increased by aging in all regions. In thalamus, no significant difference was seen between right and left in the subjects under 60 years; however, right side showed higher values in the subjects over 60 years (p<0.01). In the subjects under 60 years, women showed higher values in right frontal, bilateral thalamus, and temporal (p<0.01); however, in the subjects over 60 years, no region showed difference between men and women. The knowledge obtained in this study may be helpful to understand the developmental and aging mechanisms of normal brain and may be useful for the future quantitative study as a reference. Electronic Publication     

MRI abnormalities in normal-appearing brain tissue of treated adult PKU patients

PURPOSE: To detect possible subclinical pathological brain changes a study on adult phenylketonuria (PKU) patients by using quantitative MRI methods was performed, since neuropsychological and cognitive deficits in treated patients with PKU have not yet been shown to correlate clearly with the brain lesions identified by conventional MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight subjects, four PKU patients with well-documented dietary treatment and four age- and sex-matched adult controls, underwent MRI, including a triple echo sequence and a diffusion tensor imaging sequence. Brain maps of T2 relaxation time (T2), relative proton density (PD), and fractional anisotropy (FA) as well as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were derived for each subject. T2, PD, FA, and ADC were measured in 22 predefined regions of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) on the corresponding maps, and compared with those of four age-matched healthy adult controls. RESULTS: In addition to a prolonged T2 value measured in affected WM, as expected, we observed a significant shortening of the T2 relaxation time and reduction of ADC in normal-appearing brain tissue and an increased proton density in both GM and WM of the patients. No differences were observed in FA values between controls and patients. CONCLUSION: Repeatedly reduced T2 relaxation time, ADC, and increased proton density without changes in FA indicate a higher cell-packing density in normal-appearing brain without changes in the directedness of fibers. These structural changes may be related to neuropsychological and cognitive deficits in treated PKU patients.