Diffusion Tensor Imaging for Evaluation of Radiation-Induced Developmental Abnormalities in the White Matter

Shigeyoshi Saito¹, Tsuneo Saga¹, Ichio Aoki¹

Prenatal radiation exposure can induce various kinds of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as white matter alterations. In this study, we evaluated the developmental white matter disorder induced by prenatal X-ray exposure using diffusion tensor imaging. Fractional anisotropy (FA) maps calculated from the diffusion tensor images were compared to a histological study of myelination staining (LFB, Luxol fast blue). We found that FA maps from diffusion tensor imaging enabled noninvasive evaluation of the disturbance in myelination apparent in radiation-exposed rats. This study provides useful information for biomedical assessment of radiation-induced developmental abnormalities in the white matter.