Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography of the cerebellar projections to prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices: a study at 3T

Abstract

Objectives: Previous diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have identified cerebellar pathways and supratentorial connections, but none of them have isolated cerebellar projections to prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices using tractography. The aim of our study was to identify and visualize on 3D projections, as well as on 2D cross-sectional images, the cerebellar projections to prefrontal (PF) and posterior parietal (PP) cortices.

Material and methods: The study included 10 healthy volunteers, four males and six females aged 25 to 45 years (mean age 31 years). A DTI sequence was applied at 3 Tesla using diffusion sensitizing gradients in 32 directions. White matter tracts were reconstructed by applying a multiple ROI (region of interest) tractography technique.

Results: PF projections were obtained in all subjects. PP projections were obtained in six over 10 subjects. On 2D cross-sectional images, the tracts showed the same anatomical location in each ROI in all subjects.

Conclusion: This DTI study at 3T resulted in a selective and full visualization of cerebellar projections to PF and PP cortices for the first time and is introductive for further optimized and quantitative DTI study of these tracts.