Analog presentation of association fibers of human brain by the diffusion tensor magnetic resonance tractography

Objective: To visualize association fibers of human brain by the method of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance tractography, and to investigate its consistency with the classic anatomy. Methods: single shot echo-planar diffusion tensor imaging was performed in 1 volunteer, and then the associate fibers were visualized in MR workstation. Finally the consistency between reconstructed associate fibers and that from the classic anatomy were compared. Results: By selecting proper regions of interest (ROI) and FA threshold , angle threshold , step size and number of sampling in a voxel length, diffusion tensor tractography could visualize associate fibers of human brain, such as superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, superior fronto-occipital fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, uncinate fasciculus, cingulum, which were well consistent with the structures of association fibers from classic anatomy. Conclusions: Association fibers of human brain can be visualized by diffusion tensor tractography and the result are highly consistent with classic anatomical features. Tractography is a new method to study association fiber of human brain.