Abstract #0026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging of regeneration/degeneration after rat sciatic nerve injury
Hwang M, Perrin G, Muir D, Mareci T
University of Florida, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to investigate spatiotemporally the structural changes in cut or crush excised rat sciatic nerves using a 17.6 T magnet. Fractional anisotropy (FA) of diffusion direction, and averaged rate of diffusion ([D]) were examined as DTI derived MR parameters for the quantification of the structural changes. Increasing FA and decreasing [D] may be used to follow the regenerating nerve after crush injury, and decreased FA and increased [D] may correlate with the irreversibly damaged to the nerve after cut injury. FA appears to be more sensitive indicator because it reflects these changes more significantly.
