Diffusion tensor imaging revealed different pathological processes of white matter hyperintensities

Abstract Background Although increasing evidence showed the correlations between white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and cognitive impairment, relationship them is still modest. Many researchers began to focus on variation caused by heterogeneity of WMH. We tried explore pathological in WMH using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), so as provide a new insight into future research. Methods Diffusion weighted images (DWIs) brain were acquired from 73 patients with 18 healthy controls, which then modeled DTI. measured fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial (AD), radial (RD) periventricular frontal lobe (pFL), occipital (pOL), parietal (pPL) deep centrum ovales (dCO), grouped these measures according Fazekas scale. Then we compared DTI metrics different regions same scale grade. Results Significantly lower FA values (all p < 0.001), higher MD 0.001) RD associated observed (pFL) all other grades. The AD pFL was than that pPL dCO, but differences groups not high RD, indicated effect size. In normal control group, significantly or less significant different. difference pPL, pOL dCO matter, Conclusion Distinct processes can be revealed regions. These may represent effects severe demyelination within