Role of Structural, Metabolic, and Functional MRI in Monitoring Visual System Impairment and Recovery

Abstract

T HE VISUAL SYSTEM includes both ocular and neuroanatomy. Recent research has suggested that many visual impairments affect the entire visual system. In addition, their severity cannot be predicted solely via ocular imaging or brain imaging alone. [1][2][3] This suggests the need for a more in-depth understanding of pathogenesis at a systematic level, rather than individual anatomic structures alone. Whereas other imaging modalities are often limited to specific uses in evaluating single aspects of visual impairment in an anatomical structure, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be employed to assess structure, metabolism, and function throughout the visual pathways. Here, we briefly introduce the key anatomical components of the visual system, as well as relevant MRI techniques in examining the pathology and recovery of these tissues. We then detail specific imaging considerations and a selection of recent clinical applications for MRI in each of the major anatomic regions, along with new developments that are being actively explored. Specific MRI parameters for several studies in each anatomic region can be found in Table 1.

Methods of diffusion MRI tractography for localization of the anterior optic pathway: A systematic review of validated methods

“…After filtering based on article title and abstract, 89 were assessed in their entirety. Of these, 35 ( Alshowaeir et al, 2014 , Attyé et al, 2018 , Backner et al, 2018 , Burton et al, 2018 , Cauquil et al, 2012 , Dasenbrock et al, 2011 , Frezzotti et al, 2016 , Garaci et al, 2009 , Garaci et al, 2008 , Glick-Shames et al, 2019 , Hana et al, 2014 , Haykal et al, 2019 , Haykal et al, 2020 , Hoffmann et al, 2012 , Hofstetter et al, 2019 , Klistorner et al, 2014 , Kolbe et al, 2012 , Koller et al, 2019 , Levin et al, 2010 , Malania et al, 2017 , Mascioli et al, 2012 , Matsuo et al, 2018 , Moon et al, 2021 , Nucci et al, 2012 , Ogawa et al, 2014 , Raz et al, 2015a , Raz et al, 2015b , Raz and Levin, 2014 , Roebroeck et al, 2008 , Romero et al, 2012 , Rutland et al, 2019 , Schmidt et al, 2018 , Stieglitz et al, 2011 , Takemura et al, 2017 , Touska and Connor, 2019 , Yu et al, 2015 ) were excluded because only one out of three segments of the anterior optic pathway was reconstructed (e.g., only optic nerves, only optic chiasm, only optic tracts); 11 because they did not perform any form of assessment of anatomical fidelity of the reconstruction ( Altobelli et al, 2015 , Anik et al, 2011 , Cauley and Filippi, 2013 , Graham and Klistorner, 2017 , Hales et al, 2018 , Kuchling et al, 2017 , Naismith et al, 2012 , Paul et al, 2014 , Purohit et al, 2016 , Sims et al, 2021 , Wang et al, 2011 ) . One study was excluded because it was conducted ex vivo on anatomical dissection ( Roebroeck et al, 2008 ).…”

Different Music Training Modulates Theta Brain Oscillations Associated with Executive Function

“…The nodes in these regions were chosen in pursuit of revealing the connectivity within the Executive Function Network (EFN), which is related to detecting stimulus and guiding behavior accordingly. The motor area including the mid central area, precentral and postcentral gyrus, and inferior frontal cortex, which were shown as task-relevant areas for music training during motor-related tasks, were chosen additionally [ 42 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. The s-LORETA calculated a single vortex at each ROI centroid.…”

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Clinical Care for Uveal Melanoma Patients—A Systematic Review from an Ophthalmic Perspective

“…In the last decade, however, technical developments have enabled the acquisition of high-quality MR-images of the eye and orbit [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. As a result, MR-imaging has been proposed for different ocular conditions such as inflammation, refractive conditions, glaucoma and several malignancies [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21].…”