Early White Matter Changes in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Insights from Synthetic MRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Motivation: The imaging characterization of early white matter changes in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) remains unclear. Goal(s): To assess early white matter alterations in mTBI patients within one week of trauma by comparing SyMRI and DTI measurements with healthy controls. Approach: Thirty-one mTBI patients and thirty-five healthy controls were imaged within one week of injury using SyMRI and DTI. White matter regions of interest (ROIs) were selected for analysis, and group differences in T1, PD, T2, and FA values were evaluated. Results: Higher T1 and proton density (PD) values were observed in multiple brain regions in mTBI patients within one week of trauma. Impact: This study demonstrates that SyMRI can detect elevated T1 and PD values in mTBI patients within one week of trauma, suggesting its potential use in early diagnosis and intervention for mTBI.