Procesado, análisis y representación de imágenes de difusión. Cuantificación de la reparación neuronal tras infarto, tratamiento del TDAH y evaluación de tumores cerebrales.

Grant Type: 
National
Date: 
2011-2013
Principal investigator: 
Prof. Santiago Aja Fernández
Reference: 
TEC2010-17982
Funding institution: 
Dirección general de investigación y gestión del plan nacional I+D+I, subdirección general de proyectos de innovación. Ministerio de Ciencia y tecnología.
Center: 
ETSI Telecomunicación. Universidad de Valladolid; Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid
Funding: 
163.592,00 €

The expected contribution of this project is twofold: From a technical point of view, the aim is the development of new strategies to estimate the orientation of the fibers in the white matter of the brain, solving the traditional problems related to the diffusion tensor. The new estimator must be independent from non-realistic signal models and provide probabilistic information of the orientation and direction of the fiber bundles. In addition, we also propose the utilization of techniques for real-time estimation of the structure and connectivity of the fibers assuming different models, in order to optimize the scanning time. Prior filtering and enhancement of the data will be needed for both tasks. Results obtained, together with the existing DTI background, will be used in clinical research: (1) To investigate the temporal evolution of qualitative and quantitative parameters during the acute, subacute and chronic phases after a disabling middle cerebral artery infarction; (2) to evaluate the degree of functional recovery achieved by stroke patients; (3) to study the cortico-spinal tracts of brain tumor; and (4) to study the implication of the cortico-ponto-cerebellar pathways in the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).