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Diffusion in hierarchical systems: A simulation study in models of healthy and diseased muscle tissue

Hall, MG; Clark, CA; (2016) Diffusion in hierarchical systems: A simulation study in models of healthy and diseased muscle tissue. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine , 78 (3) pp. 1187-1198. 10.1002/mrm.26469. Green open access

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Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the sensitivity of diffusion-MR signal to microstructural change in muscle tissue associated with pathology, and recommend optimal acquisition parameters. METHODS: We employ Monte-Carlo simulation of diffusing spins in hierarchical tissue to generate synthetic diffusion-weighted signal curves over a wide range of scan parameters. Curves are analyzed using entropy-a measure of curve complexity. Entropy change between a baseline and various microstructural scenarios is investigated. We find acquisitions that optimize entropy difference in each scenario. RESULTS: Permeability changes have a large effect on the diffusion-weighted signal curve. Muscle fiber atrophy is also important, although differentiating between mechanisms is challenging. Several acquisitions over a range of diffusion times is optimal for imaging microstructural change in muscle tissue. Sensitivity to permeability is optimized for high gradient strengths, but sensitivity to other scenarios is optimal at other values. CONCLUSIONS: The diffusion-attenuated signal is sensitive to the microstructural changes, but the changes are subtle. Taking full advantage of the changes to the overall curve requires a set of acquisitions over a range of diffusion times. Permeability causes the largest changes, but even the very subtle changes associated with fiber radius distribution change the curves more than noise alone.

Type: Article
Title: Diffusion in hierarchical systems: A simulation study in models of healthy and diseased muscle tissue
Location: United States
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26469
Publisher version: http://doi.org/10.1002/mrm.26469
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Diffusion MRI; Monte-Carlo simulation; muscle; pathology modeling; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; entropy
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Developmental Neurosciences Dept
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1568130
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