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Abstract #0740

Untangling a Fiber Bundle Knot - Preliminary Results on STN Connectivity Using DTI and HARDI on Rat Brains

Ellen Brunenberg1, Vesna Prckovska1, Bram Platel2, Gustav Strijkers1, Bart ter Haar Romeny1

1Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands; 2Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands


Deep Brain Stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for Parkinsons Disease improves the motor function, but cognitive and emotional side effects occur. These can be minimized by an accurate location of the STN motor part, analyzing the connections with other brain areas. In this study, we compare DTI and HARDI glyphs around the rat STN. The HARDI glyphs are more heterogeneous than the mostly oblate DTI glyphs. We observe crossings in the lateral STN, while a linear configuration can be seen medially. We may thus distinguish the lateral motor part and the medial cognitive/emotional part of the rat STN.