TBSS May Be Sub-Optimal for Detection of DTI Parameter Changes in Crossing Fiber Regions

Vincent J. Schmithorst¹, Jessica L. Wisnowski¹, Ashok Panigrahy¹

In crossing fiber regions, the Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) algorithm for spatial normalization may be sub-optimal, as these voxels might not be projected onto the skeleton and thus excluded from analysis. We investigated the relation of functional network integration to DTI parameters and compared TBSS to an alternative technique involving normalization to a white matter template. While no region with a significant correlation was found with TBSS, a crossing-fiber region in the right hemisphere was detected via the alternative technique. Results suggest that normalization to a white matter template should be considered as a complementary analysis strategy to TBSS.