Evaluating MRI Fractional Anisotropy of Corpus Callosum in Healthy Individuals vs ICH Patients

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

5-1-2025

Publication Title

Cerebrovasc Dis

Abstract

Objectives: PurposeIntracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) poses challenges due to high mortality and neural function impact, emphasizing the need for reliable neural injury biomarkers. Our prior studies have shown the correlation between iron in ICH neurotoxicity and its natural history. This study assesses white matter (WM) integrity via fractional anisotropy (FA) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to explore dynamic changes post-ICH. Evaluating normative FA values in healthy corpus callosum enables direct comparisons to ICH patients as presented here. Methods: MethodsDTI and T1-weighted scans were performed on 10 normal subjects at 10-minute intervals to assess FA measurement reliability. ICH patients underwent single T1-MRI and DTI scans to derive FA maps (days 1,3,14,30 post-ICH). T1 images and FA maps were co-registered with 3D Slicer software for precision. Corpus callosum segmentation was evaluated by three independent reviewers. FA values were analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and ANCOVA to study associations with hematoma volume and age, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: ResultsMean FA values were higher in ICH patients (0.79 ± 0.08; range 0.47-0.86) than in healthy subjects (0.62 ± 0.07; range 0.44-0.68). Corpus callosum volume averaged 5.18 ± 1.08 (2.94-7.01) in ICH patients and 5.83 ± 0.90 (4.09-7.44) in normal subjects. Reliability across segmenters was assessed by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and indicated substantial agreement with ICC(2k) values of 0.83 for FA and 0.81 for volume. ANCOVA (controlling for corpus callosum volume and age of patients) found a significant FA difference between healthy and ICH patients (F(1, 45) = 57.29, p < 0.000001). Neither corpus callosum volume (p=0.52) nor age (p=0.26) demonstrated significant influence on FA, suggesting FA difference is independent of both factors. Further analyses indicated a decrease in FA values in ICH group on elapsed time, indicating a gradual decrease or other temporal effects on white matter integrity post-ICH. Conclusions: ConclusionsFA values in CC were unexpectedly elevated in ICH patients compared to normal subjects. This finding requires further validation with larger sample sizes. Normal FA and its derangement in ICH near and distant from hematoma regions are crucial for improving biomarker development. Future studies should examine FA-iron relationships and longitudinal FA assessments to understand ICH's impact on WM integrity and guide interventions. (Figure Presented).

Volume

54

First Page

53

Last Page

54

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