Improved DW-MRI Analysis S/W

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Summary: Diffusion weighted MRI (DW-MRI) is an important imaging tool in mapping associated white matter pathways in the brain. WSU has developed a new software program that analyses DW-MRI images using improved models (ICA+BSM) and algorithmic methods (DWI tractography & Kalman filter analysis). The WSU software can automatically identify primary motor pathways based on structural connectivity.  Both the location of motor cortex and the related CST pathway can be identified.  Function-specific segments (fingers, legs, face) can be automatically identified and quantified to provide a baseline of separate motor function. Notably this method does not require additional imaging data from fMRI or invasive electrical stimulation mapping (ESM). This is particularly valuable for evaluation of paediatric and coma patients that can’t cooperate with other methods.  Applications:  • Non-invasive Neurosurgical planning (ex: tumour resection) • Predict & assess post-operative motor deficit (objective & quantifiable values) • Useful in infants & young children Stage of Development: The clinical usefulness of this method has been confirmed in children with Sturge-Weber Syndrome. WSU results have been compared with fMRI, FDG-PET and ESM. Benefit Analysis: Current methods to identify the motor cortex involve invasive direct ESM which carries the inherent risk of electrically-induced seizures and is known to have failures in children. Alternatives such as functional MRI (fMRI) are unable to localize crucial white matter structure and again may not work well with young children.