High Density Fiber Tracking
The purpose of this study is to evaluate High Density Fiber Tracking (HDFT), an MRI-based imaging method. The study relies on paper/pencil, computer, and MRI-based measures to examine the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) at various stages post-injury.
Purpose
In brain injury, the damage is really subtle and different for everyone. This damage is usually more minor and harder to see. We aim to investigate if we can use a more advanced diffusion imaging pipeline (HDFT) to have better sensitivity to differences in white matter and use that information to predict outcomes for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Methods
This is a longitudinal study where our lab collected acute TBI data (documented history of TBI within the last 3 months). Individuals were assessed with a neuropsychological battery, and neuroimaging was collected. Our lab examined only civilian data, but civilian and military participants were used in the full study. After a baseline visit to collect initial diffusion MRI data, blinded tractography was performed for each of the subjects to predict outcomes and prescribe follow up neuropsychological testing. After 6-9 months, subjects returned and repeated this battery, to examine effects in the chronic post-injury period.
Background
HDFT tends to be 10–500x better than standard MRI DTI imaging. The University of Pittsburgh is the lead institution in this multicenter study, which is being conducted in conjunction with other leading research institutions and hospitals around the country, such as the University of Utah.
More Info
Other collaborators for this study included the University of Pittsburgh, Medstar, University of Baylor, Houston VA, and University of Pennsylvania.
HDFT Poster
Resources
To learn more about HDFT, please visit some of the following resources:
- This excellent study by Presson et al. (2015)
- A clip from 60 Minutes
- An article from the Huffington Post
- You can find more information on Walt Schneider’s lab website page
- Details about imaging and region drawing protocol here
