Abstract #0990

Deo A, Hasan K, Narayana P

Values of the mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, transverse and longitudinal diffusivites (or eigenvalues) from different white matter regions of the thoracic spinal cord are determined. The values of the majority of the DTI metrics show regional dependence. In particular, the regional differences in the longitudinal and transverse diffusivities appear to reflect the differences in the axonal morphology and degree of myelination. The values of these DTI metrics should be useful in improving the pathologic specificity of the injured spinal cord tissue.