Abstract #1401

Using a Mixture of Watson Distributions to Estimate Intrinsic Fiber Diffusion Properties

Ha-Kyu Jeong^1,2, John C. Gore^1,2, Adam W. Anderson^1,2

¹Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; ²Department of Radiology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

In this study, we derived an analytical relationship demonstrating that the spherical deconvolution representation of diffusion weighted signal can be modeled using a Watson directional distribution model. Using a mixture of Watson distributions, we showed that individual fiber orientations, volume fractions and radial diffusivities can be estimated and visualized. Also, the dominance of one fiber bundle over the other fiber appears clearer when considering estimates of fiber volume fraction and radial diffusivity.