Along-Tract Vertex-Based Analysis of Fiber Bundles for Early Biomarker Discovery in a Rodent Model of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy

Motivation: Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) lacks reliable biomarkers to predict onset. Current diagnostic tools have limited sensitivity for capturing TBI's complex pathophysiology, emphasizing the need for improved biomarker detection methods. Goal(s): This study aims to enhance tractography methods to identify localized structural differences within fiber bundles, discovering early indicators of PTE. Approach: We applied an along-vertex tractography analysis to compare group-averaged thalamic tracts between rodents with and without PTE, mapping structural differences at 2 days post-injury. Results: We identified significant structural differences along thalamic tracts associated with PTE, supporting this method's utility in detecting localized structural changes as potential biomarkers. Impact: This work provides an enhanced tractography approach for detecting early structural markers associated with PTE, improving clinical predictions and intervention timing for patients at high risk of epilepsy after TBI.