# Exploratory Analysis Tools for Developmental Studies of Brain Microstructure with Diffusion MRI

> **NIH NIH R21** · KITWARE, INC. · 2024 · $314,054

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Diffusion MRI analysis is the primary tool for studying brain white matter microstructure. Adolescent brain
development involves significant microstructural changes due to brain reorganization and neural pruning. The
trajectory of these changes can be altered by the onset of mental disorders, and longitudinal analysis of
diffusion imaging is needed to capture these alterations. Our proposal aims to make available an open source
software platform for exploratory analysis of longitudinal diffusion MRI datasets, and to apply it to study the
early onset of bipolar disorder in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) data.
 Diffusion tensor imaging is not sufficient to distinguish the different types of changes that occur during
adolescent brain development, so our software tool will support more advanced diffusion models such as
Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging. This takes advantage of the high angular resolution of
ABCD diffusion images. The exploratory tools we develop will employ the widely used Tract-Based Spatial
Statistics (TBSS) technique, which is a dimensionality reduction that is well suited for exploratory analysis.
Going beyond standard TBSS, we will adapt the technique to work with improved registration techniques, to
work with more advanced diffusion models, and to provide developmental trajectories based on longitudinal
imaging data.
 The TBSS methodology requires high quality image alignment. In order to achieve this, we will develop a
deep learning model for pairwise registration of diffusion datasets, speeding up an important step in diffusion
MRI analysis. By generating fiber orientation distributions from the ABCD diffusion imaging, our registration
model will align fiber orientations in addition to anatomical structures.
 These tools will be made available in an open source software platform. While there are many tools for
exploring diffusion MRI data, this one will be unique in its support for longitudinal datasets with high angular
resolution imaging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10874547
- **Project number:** 5R21MH132982-02
- **Recipient organization:** KITWARE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Ebrahim Ebrahim
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $314,054
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-06-23 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10874547

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10874547, Exploratory Analysis Tools for Developmental Studies of Brain Microstructure with Diffusion MRI (5R21MH132982-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10874547. Licensed CC0.

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