Ashley D. Harris1,2, Linda B. Andersen,
2,3, Robert K. Kosior, 2,4, Henry Chen, 2,5,
Marina Salluzzi, 2,4, Randall B. Stafford, 2,5, Bradley
G. Goodyear, 2,3, Richard Frayne, 2,3
1School of Psychology, CUBRIC, Cardiff
University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; 2Seaman Family MR Research
Centre, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 3Clinical
Neurosciences and Radiology, Univerisity of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta,
Canada; 4Biomedical Engineering, Univerisity of Calgary, Calgary,
Alberta, Canada; 5Physics, Univerisity of Calgary, Calgary,
Alberta, Canada
Diffusion-weighted
images and apparent diffusion coefficient maps are widely used in ischemic
stroke detection; however, additional information may be available from
diffusion imaging in the assessment of hyperacute ischemic stroke. In this
study, fractional anisotropy was examined during hyperacute ischemic stroke
(06h from onset) in a canine model. White matter shows a biphasic FA
response; an initial increase followed by a decrease. Grey matter showed FA
increases. The timing and magnitude of these FA changes appears to be related
to stroke severity. With thorough understanding of these changes, FA may be
useful in treatment decisions for stroke patients.