Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is a non-invasive MRI technique that
is sensitive to the micro-structure and the structural connectivity of the
brain. Recent technological advancements in commercially available MR scanners
has enabled a large number of neuroscientists and clinicians to acquire
advanced diffusion-weighted data of very high quality but has made also this a
very fast evolving field of neuroimaging. To fully exploit all the
opportunities given by these new technologies it is therefore essential to
fully understand what are the main strategies to acquire, process and analyse
diffusion imaging data. By following an ideal diffusion imaging pipeline, all
lectures will review the current state of the art of diffusion imaging methods
and the possible pitfalls and limitations that need to be taken into account
before getting to the final results. Examples will be provided on how advanced
analysis methods benefit from the technological advancements in data acquisition
and how these analysis methods help to address relevant clinical and scientific
questions ranging from brain plasticity, development, brain disorders or
neurodegeneration. The course will also present techniques for investigating
the microstructure properties in white and gray matter tissue within and across
brains. At a systems level, the course will demonstrate techniques for
diffusion-based connectomics analyses and parcellations of the human cortex.
Finally, the course will try to link structural connectivity with functional
MRI and quantitative MRI. Each technique will be presented by practical
examples and dedicated time will be allocated for discussion with the audience.