ISMRM SCIENTIFIC WORKSHOP ~ 14-18 October 2013

Diffusion as a Probe of Neural Tissue Microstructure
 Podstrana, Croatia
 

OVERVIEW
Diffusion imaging is one of the most common research MRI tools and is a standard part of many clinical Radiology protocols for brain investigation. This four-day workshop follows from two previous ISMRM workshops on diffusion:
• Saint-Malo, France in 2002 focused on biophysical mechanisms; and
• Lake Louise, Canada in 2005 focused on quantitative aspects for clinical applications.

The proposed workshop aims to highlight the numerous key advances in diffusion imaging, primarily of brain, over the last eight years. Since then, diffusion MRI has accumulated a number of new acquisition and analysis methods aimed at getting information about tissue microstructure at the cellular level, such as:

  • Measurement with extremely short diffusion time or high spatial resolution at high fields;
  • Evaluating axonal diameter and their density;
  • Evaluation of neurite density in gray matter; and
  • Fiber tracking.

Another important aspect is the increased use of biophysical modelling to understand and quantify the microstructure. There is a developing need to discuss potential interpretations of alterations in diffusion parameters that are measured in various clinical disorders. The latest tractography methods and their use for evaluating brain connectivity in large scale studies will be covered. There will be invited talks by world experts in diffusion imaging as well as poster sessions for the latest research.
 

TARGET AUDIENCE
Expert technical diffusion researchers, clinicians with interest in neurological imaging (e.g. radiologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, etc.), trainees (M.Sc., Ph.D., postdoctoral fellows & clinical fellows) and other MRI experts.
 

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
  • Integrate state-of-the-art diffusion imaging acquisition methods;
  • Employ knowledge of the links between diffusion parameters and neural tissue micro-structure;
  • Assess the strengths and limitations of various diffusion analysis schemes such as tractography, graph theory, kurtosis, axon diameter mapping and etc.; and
  • Recognize the utility of modeling for diffusion MRI.