Date of Award

2016

Embargo Period

8-1-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Neuroscience

College

College of Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Jens H. Jensen

Second Advisor

Leonardo Bonilha

Third Advisor

Joseph A. Helpern

Fourth Advisor

Mark A. Eckert

Fifth Advisor

Maria V. Spampinato

Abstract

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) is a powerful, non-invasive tool for probing the structural organization of the human brain. Quantitative dMRI analyses provide unique capabilities for the characterization of tissue microstructure as well as imaging contrast that is not available to other modalities. White matter tractography relies on dMRI and is currently the only non-invasive technique for mapping structural connections in the human brain. In this chapter, we will describe diffusional kurtosis imaging, an effective and versatile dMRI technique, and discuss a clinical problem in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) which is insurmountable with current diagnostic approaches. Subsequent chapters will further develop the capabilities of DKI and demonstrate how it may be particularly well suited to overcome current barriers to care in the clinical management of TLE.

Rights

All rights reserved. Copyright is held by the author.

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