Resolving Non-Gaussian Diffusion in Mouse Trigeminal Nerve Using Both Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) and Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging (DBSI)

Yong Wang¹, Els Fieremans², Peng Sun¹, Sheng-Kwei Song¹

Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) has been proposed as a clinically feasible method to estimate the intra- and extra-axonal diffusivities, and the intra-axonal water fraction. Diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) has been recently introduced to model multiple diffusion compartments of crossing fibers and inflammatory response in white matter injury. We hypothesize that by incorporating restricted intra-axonal water diffusion component, DBSI can also quantify the intra-axonal water fraction. In this study, DBSI and DKI are applied to mouse trigeminal nerves. Preliminary results have demonstrated that DBSI obtained similar estimation on both intra-axonal water fraction and other associated indices as DKI counterparts.