Iain P Bruce1, Christopher Petty1, Nan-Kuei Chen1, and Allen W Song1
Typical diffusion tensor imaging datasets are
acquired at relatively low spatial resolutions (~2 mm) because of limitations
in commonly used single-shot echo-planar imaging (EPI) protocols. However,
within a relatively coarse voxel, it is often difficult for fiber tracking
algorithms to accurately resolve short association fibers (e.g. cortical
u-fibers) with very high curvature. As these fibers play an important role in linking
adjacent gyri and constructing the human connectome, this report aims to quantify
the recovery of lost connections and the improved accuracy of mutual
connectivities between ROIs through high spatial resolution (enabled by multi-shot
EPI based on multiplexed sensitivity encoding).