In vivo tensor-valued diffusion MRI evaluates isotropic and anisotropic kurtosis mismatch in a middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke model

Motivation: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is widely used in the early detection of stroke, providing valuable information on the infarct core and ischemic penumbra. The mismatch between DWI and more advanced dMRI enhances the accuracy of stroke lesion characterization. Goal(s): Our goal is to explore whether advanced tensor-valued diffusion MRI (dMRI) can yield sensitive microstructural readouts and evaluate the mismatch between anisotropic and isotropic kurtosis as a potential biomarker for stroke. Approach: We performed tensor-valued dMRI in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rodent model. Results: The tensor-valued diffusion MRI demonstrated significant mean diffusivity, mean kurtosis, anisotropic kurtosis, and isotropic kurtosis lesion mismatch. Impact: Tensor-valued diffusion MRI reveals the isotropic and anisotropic in kurtosis/diffusion lesion mismatch in an animal model of acute stroke, the tensor-valued dMRI may help characterize different microstructural features of acute stroke lesions for precision medicine.