Diffusion Spectrum Imaging Shows the Structural Basis of Functional Cerebellar Circuits in the Human Cerebellum In Vivo

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 4; no. 4; p. e5101
• Main Authors: Granziera, Cristina, Schmahmann, Jeremy Dan, Hadjikhani, Nouchine, Meyer, Heiko, Meuli, Reto, Wedeen, Van, Krueger, Gunnar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 02.04.2009; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Anatomy; Angular resolution; Archives & records; Biomarkers; Brain; Brain stem; Care and treatment; Cerebellum; Cerebellum - physiology; Circuits; Diagnostic imaging; Diffusion; Diseases; Female; Fibers; Functional morphology; Genetic disorders; Humans; Inferior olivary nucleus; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical imaging; Neural networks; Neuroimaging; Neurological Disorders/Neuroimaging; Neurology; Neurons; Neuroscience; Nuclei; Radiology and Medical Imaging/Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Red nucleus; Reference Values; Spinal cord; Structure-function relationships; Studies; Thalamus; Therapeutic applications; United States > US; Massachusetts
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005101

The cerebellum is a complex structure that can be affected by several congenital and acquired diseases leading to alteration of its function and neuronal circuits. Identifying the structural bases of cerebellar neuronal networks in humans in vivo may provide biomarkers for diagnosis and management of cerebellar diseases. To define the anatomy of intrinsic and extrinsic cerebellar circuits using high-angular resolution diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI). We acquired high-resolution structural MRI and DSI of the cerebellum in four healthy female subjects at 3T. DSI tractography based on a streamline algorithm was performed to identify the circuits connecting the cerebellar cortex with the deep cerebellar nuclei, selected brainstem nuclei, and the thalamus. Using in-vivo DSI in humans we were able to demonstrate the structure of the following cerebellar neuronal circuits: (1) connections of the inferior olivary nucleus with the cerebellar cortex, and with the deep cerebellar nuclei (2) connections between the cerebellar cortex and the deep cerebellar nuclei, (3) connections of the deep cerebellar nuclei conveyed in the superior (SCP), middle (MCP) and inferior (ICP) cerebellar peduncles, (4) complex intersections of fibers in the SCP, MCP and ICP, and (5) connections between the deep cerebellar nuclei and the red nucleus and the thalamus. For the first time, we show that DSI tractography in humans in vivo is capable of revealing the structural bases of complex cerebellar networks. DSI thus appears to be a promising imaging method for characterizing anatomical disruptions that occur in cerebellar diseases, and for monitoring response to therapeutic interventions.