Neurite orientation and dispersion density imaging: clinical utility, efficacy, and role in therapy

Integrative Brain Imaging Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan Abstract: In the field of diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for neuroimaging, white matter tracts have traditionally been analyzed using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures, such as fractional anisotropy. However, recent advances in diffusion MRI have provided further information on brain microstructures using multi-shell protocols of diffusion MRI. Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) is one such emerging advanced diffusion MRI method that enables investigation of the neurite density and neurite orientation dispersion of brain microstructures. NODDI was developed as a practical and clinically feasible diffusion MRI technique to evaluate the microstructural complexity of dendrites and axons. This review shed light on recent studies on the use of NODDI in human brain. Indeed, a growing number of studies are using NODDI to examine neurological and psychiatric disorders, with most reporting its clinical utility. The time has thus come, for us to seriously consider the clinical use of NODDI.