DTI/DKI Biomarkers of Chronic mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Motivation: Imaging biomarkers accurately diagnosing and monitoring treatment response for chronic mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) are needed. Goal(s): This study aimed to experimentally validate and determine the performance of MRI biomarkers for monitoring chronic repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Approach: We used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) to assess white matter injury in mouse brains with chronic mTBI and compared results with those for age-matched control brains. Results: Reduction in fractional anisotropy and increase of axial kurtosis were observed in the medulla of mTBI brains compared to the parameters in the same region of control brains. Impact: It is new to monitor DTI and DKI parameters as noninvasive biomarkers in the brain with chronic mTBI.