Linking sub-diffusion model parameters and brain cell morphometrics

Motivation: The diffusion MRI signal in brain tissues can be modelled as a sub-diffusion process. The connection between sub-diffusion model parameters and microstructure of brain cells is yet to be explored. Goal(s): The research aims to investigate the link between sub-diffusion model parameters and brain cell morphometrics. Approach: Monte Carlo simulations are performed for representative brain cell types. The sub-diffusion model are then fitted to the simulated diffusion MRI data for each cell type. Results: Results reveal that the sub-diffusion model parameters are sensitive to the branch order of the cell, with higher parameter values indicating higher branch order. Impact: This is the first study to investigate how the sub-diffusion model parameters link to brain cell morphometrics. Our findings may provide new opportunities in diffusion MRI, where cell morphology and potentially cell type are of interest.