Min Liu1, Donald Gross2, B.Matt
Wheatley3, Christian Beaulieu1
1Biomedical Engineering, University of
Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; 2Neurology, University of
Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; 3Neurosurgery, University of
Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Diffusion
tensor imaging (DTI) may be a sensitive method of following the unique phases
of Wallerian degeneration of injured white matter fibers in human brain.
Longitudinal DTI tractography of the fimbria-fornix was performed at several
time points on three patients with temporal lobe epilepsy before and after
their anterior temporal resections (several times within the first week and
2-4 months post-surgery). The diffusion parameters of the ipsilateral
fornices showed unique dynamic changes, notably a reduction of parallel
diffusivity acutely, while perpendicular diffusion curiously showed a smaller
reduction within the first week followed by the expected increase at chronic
times.