Abby Ying Ding1,2, Ed X. Wu1,2
1Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and
Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; 2Department
of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong
Kong SAR, China
The
accuracy of DTI derived parameters can directly affect the interpretation of
underlying biological microstructures. However, the diffusivity measurements
are likely to be confounded by the presence of vasculature. Nevertheless,
little is known about to what degree blood signal from vasculature affects
the diffusion quantitation. In this study, we examined the effects of
hypercapnia on DTI quantification indices in anesthetized rat brains. It was
found statistically significant changes occurred in all parametric DTI maps
indicating that hemodynamic alterations can potentially affect the DTI
indices and detection of tissue microstructures. Therefore, cautions must be
taken when interpreting DTI parameters in vivo.