Abstract #0825

Diffusion MRI Reveals Distinct Abnormalities in the Spinal Cord Following Unilateral Dorsal Column Lesion and Sensory Nerve Root Injury

Feng Wang^1,2, Li Min Chen^1,2, and John C. Gore^1,2,3

¹Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States, ²Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States, ³Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States

Synopsis

Keywords: Biomarkers, Diffusion Analysis and Visualization, NODDI, DTI, Spinal cord injury

Motivation: Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) offers specific metrics for assessing post-injury structural changes in the spinal cord.

Goal(s): This study aims to detect regional alterations in the spinal cord of non-human primates after unilateral dorsal column lesion (DCL) and dorsal sensory root lesion (DSRL) at the cervical level.

Approach: Both NODDI and DTI measures were quantified and compared for assessing changes in different injury models.

Results: Findings show secondary injury in both models, with DCL affecting more regions than DSRL. NODDI metrics confirm cyst formation and detect subtle changes in the dorsal root entry zone.

Impact: Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) offers specific and sensitive metrics to assess early spinal cord structural changes post-injury. NODDI detects cysts after dorsal column lesion and subtle alterations in the dorsal root entry zone after sensory root injury.

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