Combined DTI-fMRI Analysis for a Quantitative Assessment of Connections Between WM Bundles and Their Peripheral Cortical Fields in Verbal Fluency

Brain Topogr. 2016 Nov;29(6):814-823. doi: 10.1007/s10548-016-0516-0. Epub 2016 Aug 10.

Abstract

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are powerful techniques to elucidate the anatomical and functional aspects of brain connectivity. However, integrating these approaches to describe the precise link between structure and function within specific brain circuits remains challenging. In this study, a novel DTI-fMRI integration method is proposed, to provide the topographical characterization and the volumetric assessment of the functional and anatomical connections within the language circuit. In a group of 21 healthy elderly subjects (mean age 68.5 ± 5.8 years), the volume of connection between the cortical activity elicited by a verbal fluency task and the cortico-cortical fiber tracts associated with this function are mapped and quantified. An application of the method to a case study in neuro-rehabilitation context is also presented. Integrating structural and functional data within the same framework, this approach provides an overall view of white and gray matter when studying specific brain circuits.

Keywords: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI); Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); Language; Mapping brain connectivity; Multimodal imaging.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / physiology
  • Brain Mapping
  • Cerebral Cortex / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging / methods
  • Female
  • Functional Neuroimaging
  • Gray Matter / diagnostic imaging*
  • Gray Matter / physiology
  • Humans
  • Language*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Pathways
  • Speech / physiology*
  • White Matter / diagnostic imaging*
  • White Matter / physiology