Although diurnal fluctuations in DTI-based measures of brain tissue properties have been reported, the underlying mechanism has not been investigated. Here, we processed multi-shell diffusion data using the conventional monoexponential tensor model as well as with a dual-compartment tensor model and assessed whether, time-of-day (TOD) fluctuations in DTI measures are due to changes in the magnitude of a CSF-like water compartment, or due to changes in the diffusion properties of parenchymal water. Our results suggest that TOD effects are due to fluctuations in the magnitude of a CSF-like water compartment rather than changes in the diffusion properties of parenchymal water.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.