This title appears in the Scientific Report :
2011
Please use the identifier:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.08.075 in citations.
A novel approach to the human connectome: ultra-high resolution mapping of fiber tracts in the brain
A novel approach to the human connectome: ultra-high resolution mapping of fiber tracts in the brain
Signal transmission between different brain regions requires connecting fiber tracts, the structural basis of the human connectome. In contrast to animal brains, where a multitude of tract tracing methods can be used, magnetic resonance (MR)-based diffusion imaging is presently the only promising ap...
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Personal Name(s): | Axer, M. |
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Amunts, K. / Grässel, D. / Palm, C. / Dammers, J. / Axer, H. / Pietrzyk, U. / Zilles, K. | |
Contributing Institute: |
Physik der Medizinischen Bildgebung; INM-4 Molekulare Organisation des Gehirns; INM-2 Strukturelle und funktionelle Organisation des Gehirns; INM-1 |
Published in: | NeuroImage, 54 (2011) S. 1091 - 1101 |
Imprint: |
Orlando, Fla.
Academic Press
2011
|
Physical Description: |
1091 - 1101 |
DOI: |
10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.08.075 |
PubMed ID: |
20832489 |
Document Type: |
Journal Article |
Research Program: |
Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases Neurowissenschaften |
Series Title: |
NeuroImage
54 |
Subject (ZB): | |
Publikationsportal JuSER |
Signal transmission between different brain regions requires connecting fiber tracts, the structural basis of the human connectome. In contrast to animal brains, where a multitude of tract tracing methods can be used, magnetic resonance (MR)-based diffusion imaging is presently the only promising approach to study fiber tracts between specific human brain regions. However, this procedure has various inherent restrictions caused by its relatively low spatial resolution. Here, we introduce 3D-polarized light imaging (3D-PLI) to map the three-dimensional course of fiber tracts in the human brain with a resolution at a submillimeter scale based on a voxel size of 100 μm isotropic or less. 3D-PLI demonstrates nerve fibers by utilizing their intrinsic birefringence of myelin sheaths surrounding axons. This optical method enables the demonstration of 3D fiber orientations in serial microtome sections of entire human brains. Examples for the feasibility of this novel approach are given here. 3D-PLI enables the study of brain regions of intense fiber crossing in unprecedented detail, and provides an independent evaluation of fiber tracts derived from diffusion imaging data. |