Diffusion tensor tractography quantification of the human corpus callosum fiber pathways across the lifespan

Abstract

Several anatomical attributes of the human corpus callosum (CC) including the midsagittal cross-sectional area, thickness, and volume, have been used to assess CC integrity. We extended our previous lifespan quantitative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study of the regional CC midsagittal areas to include the CC volumes obtained from DTI fiber tracking. In addition to the entire CC tracked subvolumes we normalized volume with respect to each subject’s intracranial volume (ICV) and the corresponding DTI metrics of the different specialized fiber pathways of the CC on a cohort of 99 right-handed children and adults aged 7–59 years. Results indicated that the CC absolute volume, the normalized volume fraction, and the fractional anisotropy followed inverted U-shaped curves, while the radial diffusivities followed a U-shaped curve reflecting white matter progressive and regressive myelination dynamics that continue into young adulthood. Our study provides for the first time normative baseline macro- and microstructural age trajectories of the human CC subvolumes across the lifespan that can be helpful for normative behavioral and clinical studies.

Right inferior longitudinal fasciculus lesions disrupt visual-emotional integration

“…This drop in fractional anisotropy in the isthmus relative to the other segments of the corpus callosum has not been observed in healthy individuals (Hasan et al, 2008).…”

Quantification of white matter fibre pathways disruption in frontal transcortical approach to the lateral ventricle or the interventricular foramen in diffusion tensor tractography

“…The qualitative evaluation of white matter bundles crossing frontal transcortical approaches revealed that the access through either superior or medial frontal gyrus at least partially sectioned following tracts: division I and II of SLF, 2 sub-volumes of rostral corpus callosum (CC1/CC2 [22]), pyramidal and corticoreticular tracts. The presented result was consistently noted in every analysed hemisphere (22 of 22; 100%).…”

Evaluation of Callosal Motor Fiber Location in the Human Brain by Diffusion Tensor Tractography Combined with Functional MRI

“…Many studies have investigated the anatomical and functional characteristic of the CC in humans 2,7,9,10,13,16,18,25) . These studies investigated the thickness, volume, and area information of the CC to provide accurate anatomical information 9,10,25) .…”

“…DTI provides a noninvasive method for visualizing white matter structures in the brain. Diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), based on DTI data, enables 3D neural fiber tract visualization, and has been used to identify major white matter pathways, such as the corticobulbar, corticospinal, and associated fiber tracts 8,16,18,19) . Moreover, combining DTT with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides more accurate information for in vivo analysis of the brain 7,[20][21][22] .…”