Structure Tensor Analysis of Histological Images to Examine Brain Microstructure

Matthew D. Budde¹

Accurate methods of validating diffusion MRI findings are notoriously difficult and lacking. We performed structure tensor (ST) analysis of digital histological images to visualize and quantify brain microstructure on different scales and compare the results to those obtained from DTI. In the normal rat brain, anisotropy derived from the disparate modalities was highly correlated and ST analysis permitted putative crossing fibers to identified and quantified. The method has the potential to accurately validate diffusion MRI findings in the normal and injured or diseased central nervous system.