Fig. 3
From: Diffusion MRI quantifies early axonal loss in the presence of nerve swelling
Box plots summarize the group distribution of DTI-derived λǁ, λ⊥, and FA (a–c) and DBSI-derived λǁ, λ⊥, FA, restricted, and non-restricted diffusion fraction (d–h) from baseline, time 1, and time 2, respectively. Axonal injury developed at time 2 suggested by the significantly decreased DTI- and DBSI-λǁ (a, d, p < 0.005). At time 1, significant decrease was only seen in DTI-λǁ but not in DBSI-λǁ reflecting the confounding effects of inflammatory cell infiltration and vasogenic edema (a, d). The same confounding effects also resulted in increased DTI-λ⊥ at time 2 but not in DBSI-λ⊥ (b, e).The distribution of DBSI results (d–f) was much tighter than DTI (a–c) since DBSI was able to separate vasogenic edema (g) and cell infiltration (h) from axon and myelin pathologies. One asterisk indicates p < 0.05. Double asterisks indicate p < 0.005