White matter integrity, fiber count, and other fallacies: The do's and don'ts of diffusion MRI

摘要: Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) has been increasingly used in imaging neuroscience over the last decade. An early form of this technique, diffusion tensor (DTI) was rapidly implemented by major scanner companies as a selling point. Due to ease use such implementations, and plausibility some their results, DTI leapt on neuroscientists who saw it powerful unique new tool for exploring structural connectivity human brain. However, is rather approximate its results have frequently given implausible interpretations that escaped proper critique appeared misleadingly journals high reputation. In order encourage improved DW-MRI methods, which better chance characterizing actual fiber structure white matter, warn against misuse misinterpretation DTI, we review physics DW-MRI, indicate currently preferred methodology, explain limits interpretation results. We conclude with list 'Do's Don'ts' define good practice expanding area neuroscience.