Diffusion Tensor Imaging: A Promising New Technique for Accurate Identification of the Stria Medullaris and Habenula

The Stria Medullaris (SM) is a white-matter tract that contains afferent fibres connect the cognitive-emotional areas in forebrain to Habenula (Hb). Hb plays an important role behavioral responses reward, stress, anxiety, pain, and sleep through its action on neuromodulator systems. Fasciculus Retroflexus (FR) forms primary output of midbrain. SM, Hb, FR are part special pathway between midbrain known as Dorsal Diencephalic Conduction system (DDC). dysfunction accompanied by different types neuropsychiatric disorders, such schizophrenia, depression, Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). Due difficulties imaging assessment SM HB vivo , they had not been focus clinical studies until invention Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), which has revolutionized investigation Hb. DTI facilitated provided insights into their properties monoamine dysregulation. well-established technique for mapping brain microstructure white matter tracts; it provides indirect information about microstructural architecture integrity based water diffusion intra- extracellular space, Axial Diffusivity (AD), Radial (RD), mean diffusivity, Fractional Anisotropy (FA). Neurosurgeons have recognized potential value direct anatomical targeting prior Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery treatment certain conditions, TRD. only non-invasive method offers possibility visualization tracts nuclei human brain. This review study summarizes use promising new accurate identification with emphasis DBS surgery.