Open AccessThe effects of connection reconstruction method on the interregional connectivity of brain networks via diffusion tractography
Author(s) -
Li Longchuan,
Rilling James K.,
Preuss Todd M.,
Glasser Matthew F.,
Hu Xiaoping
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.21332
Subject(s) - tractography , diffusion mri , white matter , precuneus , connectomics , neuroscience , connectome , computer science , asymmetry , artificial intelligence , pattern recognition (psychology) , psychology , functional connectivity , physics , magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , cognition , quantum mechanics , radiology
Abstract Estimating the interregional structural connections of the brain via diffusion tractography is a complex procedure and the parameters chosen can affect the outcome of the connectivity matrix. Here, we investigated the influence of different connection reconstruction methods on brain connectivity networks. Specifically, we applied three connection reconstruction methods to the same set of diffusion MRI data, initiating tracking from deep white matter (method #1, M1), from the gray matter/white matter interface (M2), and from the gray/white matter interface with thresholded tract volume rather than the connection probability as the connectivity index (M3). Small‐world properties, hub identification, and hemispheric asymmetry in connectivity patterns were then calculated and compared across methods. Despite moderate to high correlations in the graph‐theoretic measures across different methods, significant differences were observed in small‐world indices, identified hubs, and hemispheric asymmetries, highlighting the importance of reconstruction method on network parameters. Consistent with the prior reports, the left precuneus was identified as a hub region in all three methods, suggesting it has a prominent role in brain networks. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc