Tractography is a procedure that can track and demonstrate the 3D neural tracts of the white matter of the brain. The images of the brain are obtained by analyzing the diffusion tensor, identification of which can provide the anatomical connections of the brain. Studying these connections is integral to the understanding of the brain function. Specifically, the uncinate fasciculus (UF), which is the white matter in the human brain, is said to be related to cognitive function. The UF tractography is calculated using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameter. Studies have shown that the DTI parameter of dementia patients is lower than that of healthy individuals. It is also suggested that the DTI parameter of healthy individuals decreases with age. In addition, the WMS-R score, which is indicative of general memory, verbal memory and other cognitive functions, of the elderly are lower than of the young. However, there is no report yet that has holistically investigated DTI parameter and the memory functions. Thus, in this research, we have calculated the correlation coefficient between the DTI parameter of UF and WMS-R score. Our result shows that the correlation coefficient of diffusivity of the fiber direction and visual memory of a left UF is -0.226 at the maximum. Correlation between DTI measurement and memory performance suggests the relationships between the UF and function in memory tasks lateralization. Our finding matches previous reports on the correlation between FA in the left, or L1 in the right UF, and performance on visual memory.
Tractography is a procedure that can track and demonstrate the 3D neural tracts of the white matter of the brain. The images of the brain are obtained by analyzing the diffusion tensor, identification of which can provide the anatomical connections of the brain. Studying these connections is integral to the understanding of the brain function. Specifically, the uncinate fasciculus and fornix, which are the white matter in the human brain, are said to be related to cognitive function. The tractography is calculated using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameter. Studies have shown that the DTI parameter of dementia patients is lower than that of healthy individuals. It is also suggested that the DTI parameter of healthy individuals decreases with age. In addition, Proton MR Spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) is indicative of neuronal damage and has been used for decades as a noninvasive technique for assessing the biochemistry of the human brain. This is reflected by the increasing number of clinical MRS investigations of neurological disorders. Thus, MRS and DTI can provide complementary images on white matter in brain and it is important to investigate the white matter brain changes by simultaneously acquiring DTI and MRS in health control subjects. In this research, we have calculated the correlation coefficient between the DTI parameter of uncinate fasciculus, fornix and (1)H-MRS. Our result shows that the correlation coefficient of DTI parameter and (1)H-MRS of a left fornix is 0.65 at the maximum. Correlation between DTI measurement and (1)H-MRS suggests the relationships between the uncinate fasciculus, fornix and cognitive neuronal function. Our finding matches previous reports on the correlation between DTI parameters and (1)H-MRS.
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