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Abstract #4019

Diffusion Properties of Whole, Post-Mortem Human Brains

Karla L. Miller1, Charlotte J. Stagg1, Saad Jbabdi1, Heidi Johansen-Berg1, Jennifer A. McNab2

1FMRIB Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxon, United Kingdom; 2A.A. Martinos Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States


Although diffusion imaging is sensitive to tissue microstructure, biological interpretation of diffusion properties is lacking. Imaging of post-mortem brains would enable the comparison of diffusion indices (such as MD and FA) with histological samples. We present results of diffusion imaging in whole, post-mortem human brains. Diffusion properties are significantly different than in vivo and depend on post-mortem interval. However, anisotropy is partially preserved and tractography is possible.