Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2013, Vol. 8 ›› Issue (3): 244-250.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.03.006

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Curvature range measurements of the arcuate fasciculus using diffusion tensor tractography

Dong Hoon Lee1, Cheol Pyo Hong1, Yong Hyun Kwon2, Yoon Tae Hwang3, Joong Hwi Kim4, Ji Won Park4   

  1. 1 Department of Radiological Science, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Gangwondo 220-710, Republic of Korea
    2 Department of Physical Therapy, Yeungnam College of Science & Technology, Daegu 705-703, Republic of Korea
    3 Department of Physical Therapy, Gangneung Yeongdong College, Gangwondo 210-792, Republic of Korea
    4 Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science, Catholic University of Daegu, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk 712-702, Republic of Korea
  • Received:2012-11-06 Revised:2012-12-29 Online:2013-01-25 Published:2013-01-25
  • Contact: Won Park, Ph.D., P.T., Associate professor, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science, Catholic University of Daegu, 330 Geumrak 1-ri, Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk 712-702, Republic of Korea, mylovept@hanmail.net.
  • About author:Dong Hoon Lee☆, Studying for doctorate.

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Abstract:

Because Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area in the brain are connected by the arcuate fasciculus, understanding the anatomical location and morphometry of the arcuate fasciculus can help in the treatment of patients with aphasia. We measured the horizontal and vertical curvature ranges of the arcuate fasciculus in both hemispheres in 12 healthy subjects using diffusion tensor tractography. In the right hemisphere, the direct curvature range and indirect curvature range values of the arcuate fasciculus horizontal part were 121.13 ± 5.89 and 25.99 ± 3.01 degrees, respectively, and in the left hemisphere, the values were 121.83 ± 5.33 and 27.40 ± 2.96 degrees, respectively. In the right hemisphere, the direct curvature range and indirect curvature range values of the arcuate fasciculus vertical part were 43.97 ± 7.98 and 30.15 ± 3.82 degrees, respectively, and in the left hemisphere, the values were 39.39 ± 4.42 and 24.08 ± 4.34 degrees, respectively. We believe that the measured curvature ranges are important data for localization and quantitative assessment of specific neuronal pathways in patients presenting with arcuate fasciculus abnormalities.

Key words: neural regeneration, neuroimaging, clinical practice, diffusion tensor tractography, diffusion tensor imaging, arcuate fasciculus, direct curvature range, indirect curvature range, anatomical location, quantitative information, aphasia, Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area, arched fiber, grant-supported paper, photographs-containing paper, neuroregeneration