The overall goal of this project is to develop and provide state-of-the-art technology for diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) that can be applied to the study of white matter diseases and other diseases that affect the integrity of white matter structures. This technique yields two types of data that have previously been inaccessible. First, it provides so called anisotropy maps, the information in which is related to axonal structure, fiber density and myelination. Second, using high-resolution DTI and a newly-designed tracking approach we have recently shown that neuronal pathways can be probed in situ in the human brain (Atlas). 

The functional meaning of the DTI findings will be evaluated by correlating them to clinical and pathological findings of various diseases through our collaborations. Some diseases of interest are mental retardation, Rett syndrome, ALS, Schizophrenia, stroke and brain cancer. Related Publications.