Tensor-Valued Diffusion MRI Assessment of Acute Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Motivation: There is an urgent need to achieve a more profound comprehension of the intricate processes of neural plasticity associated with acute spinal cord injury (ASCI). Goal(s): To explore whether advanced tensor-valued diffusion MRI (dMRI) can yield sensitive microstructural readouts and evaluate acute injury in spinal cord. Approach: We performed advanced tensor-valued diffusion MRI in ASCI rats and examined the sensitivity and specificity of the metrics. Results: The tensor-valued dMRI metric, microscopic fractional anisotropy (μFA), serves as a more sensitive marker for identifying damaged fibers and gray matter in injured spinal cords. Impact: Tensor-valued diffusion MRI is a promising neuroimaging tool to evaluate microstructural alteration in ASCI, especially in gray matter, helping characterize different microstructural features of acutely injured SC for precision medicine.