Citation

Munivenkatappa A, Devi BI, Shukla DP, Rajeswaran J. J. Neurosurg. Sci. 2014; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Clinical Neurosciences, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India - drindiradb@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Minerva Medica)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

25501008

Abstract

AIM: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an advanced and sensitive technique that detects sub--threshold pathology in normal imaging brain injury patients. Currently, there are no 3time--point studies that have considered DTI technique among these patients. The present study has investigated 3time--point DTI imaging and its association with cognitive deficits.

METHODS: Twenty--one patients were available for MRI and neuropsychological test (NPT) assessment for all the 3time-points. Initially (<36hours), all patients presented with GCS 15 and normal scan findings. The DTI (p<0.0001) and NPT scores (p<0.05) were analyzed using repeated--measure of analysis. The tensor values were correlated with specific time--point NPT scores using partial correlation (0.05).

RESULTS: Right cerebral--hemisphere showed significant alterations in both anisotropy and diffusivity values overtime. Cingulate--gyrus and occipital--lobe showed prominent changes in anisotropy value. Significant improvement in thalamo--cortical anisotropy value after 3--4months after injury was seen. The changes in diffusivity values were majorly seen in frontal, parietal lobe, right inferior fronto--occipital & superior longitudinal fasciculus, and posterior supramarginal gyrus. Eventual changes of tensor values of thalamus, frontal and temporal lobe had persistent and significant association with attention and learning/memory aspects.

CONCLUSION: The study's findings suggest that DTI detects and observes natural--recovery of brain regions affected by sub--threshold force.

Language: en