Meeting Banner
Abstract #0264

A Multi-Resolution Anatomical Atlas of the Human Brainstem Based on Diffusion Tensor Imaging at 11.7T

Manisha Aggarwal1, Jiangyang Zhang1, Olga Pletnikova2, Barbara Crain2, Juan Troncoso2, Susumu Mori1

1Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; 2Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States

A three-dimensional anatomical atlas of the human brainstem based on ultra-high resolution (125-255 m) DTI at 11.7T is developed. DTI contrasts in our study revealed unprecedented level of microscopic neuroanatomical details in the postmortem brainstem, comparable to histological myelin-staining. Tractography enabled reconstruction of fine fiber tracts, including interleaved fascicles of the corticospinal and transverse pontine fibers, and decussation of pyramidal tract fibers. Additionally, strong grey-white matter contrasts in ADC maps allowed precise reconstruction of grey matter nuclei. We also demonstrate mapping of the high-resolution postmortem DTI data to an in vivo whole brain atlas to construct a 3D brainstem atlas registered to the MNI stereotaxic space.

Abstract PDF Presentation Video

Keywords

accuracy accurate acquisition addition allowed anatomical anatomically anatomy appear arrowheads arrows assigned atlas atlases axial axis blue brain bundles channel clearly clinical coarse coil coils color comparable conspicuous construct contrasts coordinate crossing degree delineate delineation detail detailed details develop diffusion dimensional dimensionally disease dissected done dorsal enabled encoded examine excise existing fascicles fast features fiber fibers fine fixed fractional generated grants histological histology homogeneous human immersion important in vivo inferior inner interleaving johns junction landmark limited linear longitudinal major mapping maps medial medicine medulla microscopic middle miller mostly navigator neurological nonlinear nonlinearly novel nuclei observable organization orientations oriented pathology pathways peduncle pons postmortem predominantly previously primary product prognosis pyramidal rare reconstructed reconstruction registered registration relatively resolution resolutions resolve resolved resolving reveal school sclerosis section sectioning sections segment significantly space spectrometer splits springer stained striking strong structural structures studies subject successful superior tensor threshold topographic tract tracts transverse traversing units ventral visualization white whole