Advanced Fiber Tracking using ODF Based Force Fields

Robert Stefan Vorburger¹, Carolin Reischauer¹, Peter Boesiger¹

High angular resolution diffusion-weighted imaging techniques have been developed to resolve complex intravoxel fiber structure. Until now, just a few dedicated algorithms have been introduced. The current work presents a novel tracking approach that simulates particle motion in a force field which is derived directly from the so-called orientation distribution function using principles of classical mechanics. On the basis of the derived particle tracts, connectivity maps and virtual fibers are subsequently generated. The benefit of the algorithm is demonstrated by presenting tracking results in a healthy volunteer.