Characteristics of diffusion-tensor imaging for healthy adult rhesus monkey brains

• Published in: Neural regeneration research Vol. 8; no. 32; pp. 2951 - 2961
• Main Authors: Zhao, Xinxiang, Pu, Jun, Fan, Yaodong, Niu, Xiaoqun, Yu, Danping, Zhang, Yanglin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mumbai Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd 01.11.2013
• Subjects: Aging; Anisotropy; Brain research; Gene expression; Ischemia; Microstructure; Middle age; Monkeys & apes; Studies
• ISSN: 1673-5374; 1876-7958

Research Highlights (1) This study investigated anisotropy values in major white matter tracts and gray matter nuclei in the brains of healthy adult rhesus monkeys. Results revealed differences in anisotropy values between major white matter and deep gray matter nuclei. Similar to the brains of healthy young people, the anisotropy value of the corpus callosum was highest, followed by the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the semioval center, and lowest in gray matter nuclei (caudate nucleus). (2) Results from this study are relatively extensive. Not only do they contribute to our knowledge of monkey brain microstructure, but they also provide information regarding the differences and similarities between monkey and human brains. Abstract Diffusion-tensor imaging can be used to observe the microstructure of brain tissue. Fractional anisotropy reflects the integrity of white matter fibers. Fractional anisotropy of a young adult brain is low in gray matter, high in white matter, and highest in the splenium of the corpus callosum. Thus, we selected the anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule, head of the caudate nucleus, semioval center, thalamus, and corpus callosum (splenium and genu) as regions of interest when using diffusion-tensor imaging to observe fractional anisotropy of major white matter fiber tracts and the deep gray matter of healthy rhesus monkeys aged 4-8 years. Results showed no laterality differences in fractional anisotropy values. Fractional anisotropy values were low in the head of caudate nucleus and thalamus in gray matter. Fractional anisotropy values were highest in the splenium of corpus callosum in the white matter, followed by genu of the corpus callosum and the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Fractional anisotropy values were lowest in the semioval center and posterior limb of internal capsule. These results suggest that fractional anisotropy values in major white matter fibers and the deep gray matter of 4-8-year-old rhesus monkeys are similar to those of healthy young people.