Mammillotegmental tract in the human brain: diffusion tensor tractography study

• Published in: Neuroradiology 2011-08, Vol.53 (8), p.623-626
• Main Authors: Kwon, Hyeok Gyu, Hong, Ji Heon, Jang, Sung Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anisotropy; Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Brain - anatomy & histology; Diffusion; Diffusion Tensor Imaging - methods; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; Female; Functional Neuroradiology; Humans; Imaging; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Mammillary Bodies - anatomy & histology; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nervous system; Neural Pathways - anatomy & histology; Neurology; Neuroradiology; Neurosciences; Neurosurgery; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Radiology; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tegmentum Mesencephali - anatomy & histology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0028-3940; 1432-1920
• DOI: 10.1007/s00234-011-0858-y

Introduction Several animal studies have been conducted for the identification of the mammillotegmental tract (MTT); however, no study has been reported in the human brain. Methods In the current study, using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), we attempted to identify the MTT in the human brain. We recruited 31 healthy volunteers for this study. Diffusion tensor images were acquired using 1.5 T, and the MTT was obtained using a probabilistic tractography method based on a multi-fiber model. Values of fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and tract volume of the MTT were measured. Results MTTs of all subjects, which originated from the mammillary body, ascended posteriorly to the bicommissural level along the third ventricle and then turned caudally and terminated at the tegmentum of the midbrain. No significant differences were observed in terms of fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and tract volume according to hemisphere and sex ( P