Diffusion MRI as a marker of neuroinflammation following intracerebral haemorrhage

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation and density imaging (NODDI) is used to observe regional changes in brain microstructure following intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in rats. On day 7 following ICH, DTI and NODDI metrics were significantly altered in haemorrhaged sub-regions as well as healthy appearing overlying cortex, compared to contralateral tissue. Histological analysis suggest these changes are driven by altered cell density and populations, with notable regional changes in microglia/macrophages. In summary, DTI and NODDI parameters are altered in ICH and may reflect changes in the immune cell populations in both haemorrhaged and overlying normal-appearing cortex.