Chemical Physics Seminar: Correlation Tensor Imaging: a new source of diffusion MRI contrast

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87075995730?pwd=RWNJSDMvN3RJaEpPeXRoZkFnZzExQT09

Abstract:

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) plays an important role in characterising micro-architectural features in many systems ranging from porous media to in-vivo tissues. Non-gaussian diffusion effects, as typically quantified from diffusional kurtosis, have been shown to provide higher sensitivity towards micro-architectural modulations, e.g., upon disease; however, the specificity of diffusional kurtosis is limited as the non-gaussianity of the diffusion process can arise from fundamentally different sources. In the talk, we will explore a new approach for resolving the underlying sources contributing to diffusional kurtosis termed "correlation tensor MRI" (CTI). CTI is based on measurements of diffusion correlations along different directions, that are described by higher-order displacement correlation tensors; we show that these correlation tensors provide much insight into anisotropic, isotropic, and microscopic kurtosis sources. The first application for CTI in stroke will be presented, revealing dramatically enhanced contrasts and specificity towards specific biological processes. Potential future directions for CTI will be discussed.