Malloy Paul, Correia Stephen, Stebbins Glenn, Laidlaw David H
Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI, USA.
Clin Neuropsychol. 2007 Jan;21(1):73-109. doi: 10.1080/13854040500263583.
Clinical neuroscientists have focused increasing attention on white matter connections in the brain and on the effects of aging and disease on these connections. Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis have given researchers new tools for quantifying and visualizing white matter to better relate white matter structure and function. The goals of this article are (a) to acquaint the reader with both established and newer methods for imaging and quantifying white matter anatomy and pathology; and (b) to review recent findings on white matter pathology in aging and dementia. Computer-assisted quantification appears to offer better statistical power than visual rating scales for detecting these relationships. New MR modalities such as diffusion imaging can detect white matter abnormalities not shown with conventional acquisition sequences. These newer techniques hold promise for early detection of disease and for delineating functional connections between brain areas.
临床神经科学家越来越关注大脑中的白质连接，以及衰老和疾病对这些连接的影响。磁共振成像（MRI）分析的最新进展为研究人员提供了新的工具，用于量化和可视化白质，以便更好地关联白质结构与功能。本文的目的是：（a）让读者了解成像和量化白质解剖结构及病理学的既定方法和更新方法；（b）回顾衰老和痴呆症中白质病理学的最新研究发现。计算机辅助量化在检测这些关系方面似乎比视觉评分量表具有更好的统计效力。诸如扩散成像等新的磁共振成像模式可以检测出传统采集序列未显示的白质异常。这些更新的技术有望实现疾病的早期检测，并描绘脑区之间的功能连接。
