Three-tesla magnetic resonance imaging of the ventrolateral thalamus: a correlative anatomical description

Abstract

The anatomy of the nuclei and fiber projections within the ventrolateral thalamus in humans can be described using 3T MR imaging. The findings were reproducible in vivo with 3T but not 1.5T MR imaging. Additional studies are needed to confirm the accuracy of this observation for clinical purposes.

Bioinformatic Approaches Used in Modelling Human Tremor

“…Spatial resolution is crucial in MRI identification of morphological features. At least a 3 tesla MR is required if a detailed anatomical description is looked for in order to perform an anatomo-clinical correlation [61]. Positron emission tomography (PET), with specific tracers to measure Dopamine Transporter binding (DAT; SPECT), provide in vivo analysis of neurochemical, hemodynamic, or metabolic processes that underlie movement disorders [62].…”

A mean three-dimensional atlas of the human thalamus: Generation from multiple histological data

“…This is the case for the subthalamic nucleus which is commonly targeted in Parkinson's disease (Slavin et al, 2006;Breit et al, 2006;Yelnik et al, 2003), although additional criteria are usually necessary to verify for the target. For the intrathalamic structures, such as the ventral lateral posterior (or VIM) nucleus, routine clinical imaging methods provide insufficient contrast for visual detection (Patil et al, 1999;Nowinski et al, 2006;Mercado et al, 2006). To surpass these limitations, segmentation of thalamic nuclei with a clustering approach based on a specific MRI-sequence (Deoni et al, 2007) or on the connectivity pattern of the individual constituents (Behrens et al, 2003;Johansen-Berg et al, 2005) has been used.…”

Brain Mapping Techniques Used to Guide Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

“…Visualization of individual thalamic nuclei is unreliable at 1.5 T and attempts have been made to visualize these at higher field strengths (Mercado et al, 2006;Spiegelmann et al, 2006). Indirect targeting currently retains an important role when using this target; however, the lateral and anteroposterior coordinates can be guided by visualization of the thalamocapsular border on CT or MRI.…”