Diffusion tensor imaging reveals normal geniculocalcarine-tract integrity in acquired blindness

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• 作者：Yan Zhang^a ; Sihai Wan^b ; Jian Ge^a ; Xuelin Zhang^b ; ^c ; ^{zxlnfyy@163.com}
• 关键词：Blindness ; Human ; Diffusion tensor imaging ; Visual system
• 刊名：Brain Research
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：8_00068993
• 类别：neu
• 出版时间：6 June, 2012
• 卷：1458
• 期：Complete
• 页码：34-39
• 文件大小：549 K

摘要

We investigated optic nerve and geniculocalcarine tract (GCT) in acquired blindness (AB) using routine cranium magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. Twenty individuals with AB were compared with 20 normally sighted (NS) individuals. The transverse diameters of optic nerves in NS were significantly bigger than the AB participants in T₁WI maps. AB participants had higher mean diffusivity and transverse diffusivity and lower fractional anisotropy and primary diffusivity in the optic nerve. This pattern of diffusion change suggests axonal degeneration or atrophy of nerve fibers. No diffusion-index alterations in the GCT were found between AB participants and NS controls. White matter integrity remained normal in the GCT. Thus, the GCT may not rely on visual afferent input to maintain integrity after development.