14.08.2013 Views

Docteur de l'université Automatic Segmentation and Shape Analysis ...

Docteur de l'université Automatic Segmentation and Shape Analysis ...

Docteur de l'université Automatic Segmentation and Shape Analysis ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

10 Chapter 1 Introduction<br />

Functional neuroimaging usually adds diagnostic value when structural imaging<br />

result is equivocal. MR based measurements such as perfusion imaging, MR spec-<br />

troscopy, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), <strong>and</strong> functional MRI (fMRI), are more<br />

sensitive to the functional <strong>de</strong>cline preceding the structural changes, <strong>and</strong> show po-<br />

tential for markers for early diagnosis. Molecular imaging using emission tomogra-<br />

phies such as positron emission tomography (SPECT) <strong>and</strong> single-photon emission<br />

computed tomography (SPECT) are also used to assess the biology un<strong>de</strong>rlying the<br />

neuro<strong>de</strong>generation process.<br />

In current clinical practices, structural MRI <strong>and</strong> PET are most commonly <strong>de</strong>-<br />

ployed. In this thesis, the data <strong>de</strong>alt with are mainly the structural MR brain<br />

images, therefore we will only introduce the brief background of structural MRI<br />

<strong>and</strong> its application in the AD studies.<br />

1.1.3.1 MRI<br />

The physical principle un<strong>de</strong>rlying the MRI is nuclear magnetic resonance, which<br />

<strong>de</strong>scribes the dynamics <strong>and</strong> manipulates the behavior of nuclear spins or other<br />

magnetic systems possessing angular momentum in an external magnetic field (for<br />

the physical background of the nuclear resonance, see Slichter, 1990; Levitt, 2008).<br />

In MRI, the predominant effect giving rises to the MR signal comes from the proton<br />

of hydrogen atom with 1 spin. The spin moments aligned either in parallel or anti-<br />

2<br />

parallel to the external field B0 split into two distinct energy levels, conforming<br />

to the Boltzmann distribution at thermal equilibrium, with more spinors in the<br />

same direction of B0. The net effect of the spin excess is the magnetization that<br />

can be <strong>de</strong>tected.<br />

The phenomenon of Larmor precession in classical electromagnetism is retained<br />

in quantum mechanics. By applying an additional oscillating radiofrequency (rf)<br />

magnetic field tuned to the Larmor frequency of the proton, the magnetization<br />

vector can be tipped away from its original longitudinal direction parallel to B0<br />

by π,<br />

such that the magnetization rotates in the transverse plane perpendicular to<br />

2

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!