Symposium on diffusion imaging

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fibre tracking have become increasingly popular among neuroscientists, neurologists and neurosurgeons since they allow to visualise the structural integrity of the brain white matter in a non-invasive manner. DWI has become the tool of choice not only in various clinical conditions where white matter pathology is expected, but also in studies of brain plasticity and brain development. Among others, DWI is used in the study of acute stroke, brain tumours, neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease), neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, schizophrenia), language and memory disorders, and ageing.

Our symposium on diffusion imaging consists of a theoretical and a practical part. During the theoretical part, six internationally renowned scientists will talk about the basic physics of diffusion imaging, fiber tracking, and their relevance to understanding brain function in normal and pathological conditions. In the afternoon, there is first a general workshop on fiber tracking that will be led by prof. Flavio Dell’Acqua from Kings College London. Participants will learn to get acquainted with handling and analyzing diffusion data. This will be followed by a second more focused workshop on the use of diffusion imaging in neurosurgical planning. This second workshop is targeted specifically at neurosurgeons. Attendance to the symposium and the workshops is free of charge but prior registration is mandatory. Attendance to the workshop(s) will be on a first come, first served principle, due to the limited number of seats.

Agenda

8:15- 8:50 Registration and coffee

8:50-8:55 Welcome address - Prof. Philippe de Timary

8:55-9:00 Introduction to the program - Dr. Laurence Dricot Ir.

Morning session (part 1) – chair: Dr. Bernard Hanseeuw

9:00-9:30 Concepts, physicsand basics of diffusion imaging - Prof. Henrik Lundell, DRCMR, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark

9:35-10:05 DTI and HARDI models - Prof. Flavio Dell Acqua, King’s College, London, UCL, London

10:10-10:40 Fiber tracking - Prof. Alexander Leemans, Providi Lab, Image Sciences Institute – Utrecht University

10:45-11:00 Coffee break

Morning session (part 2) – chair: Prof. Christian Raftopoulos

11:00-11:30 The short frontal lobe connections of the human brain - Prof. Michel Thiebaut de Schotten, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière – ICM, Paris

11:35-12:05 DTI as a tool for studying brain plasticity - Prof. Cassandra Sampaio-Baptista, Wellcome center for integrative neuroimaging,
Oxford University, Oxford

12:10-12:40 The role of DTI in neurosurgical planning - Dr. Ahmed Radwan, Dept. of Radiology, Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven

12:40-13:15 General Discussion

Afternoon session (special workshop registration required)

14:15-17:00 Hands-on workshop fiber tracking - COMPLET

17:00-18:00 Practical implementation of DTI for neurosurgeons, organized by Brainlab

Link to registration form