Does diffusion MRI tell us anything about the white matter? An overview of methods and pitfalls

Schizophr Res. 2015 Jan;161(1):133-41. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.09.007. Epub 2014 Sep 29.

Abstract

One key pitfall in diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) clinical neuroimaging research is the challenge of understanding and interpreting the results of a complex analysis pipeline. The sophisticated algorithms employed by the analysis software, combined with the relatively non-specific nature of many diffusion measurements, lead to challenges in interpretation of the results. This paper is aimed at an intended audience of clinical researchers who are learning about dMRI or trying to interpret dMRI results, and who may be wondering "Does dMRI tell us anything about the white matter?" We present a critical review of dMRI methods and measures used in clinical neuroimaging research, focusing on the most commonly used analysis methods and the most commonly reported measures. We describe important pitfalls in every section, and provide extensive references for the reader interested in more detail.

Keywords: Clinical research; Diffusion MRI; Neuroimaging; Non-specificity; Tractography; White matter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Anisotropy
  • Biomedical Research / instrumentation*
  • Biomedical Research / methods*
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated*
  • White Matter / anatomy & histology*