Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging : validation, correction and applications

Diffusion weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DW-MRI) images the structure of the white substance in the brains and connections between various brain parts. To validate this technique a test object (phantom) was developed, the structure of which resembles the structure of the white substance. This phantom was brought on the market and by now over 15 universities and hospitals own one.
Furthermore, DW-MRI was applied to a patient with Landau-Kleffner syndrome. This syndrome involves losing the ability of using and understanding language as a consequence of epilepsy. Intensive therapy can restore the language ability. Important connections for language processing look different in these patients and the brains use more visual information in communication.
The dissertation also describes further studies with a blindsight patient. In these patients the eyes still function, but the visual information is no longer consciously processed. And yet, the deep brain parts that unconsciously process emotions and visual information appear active. The necessary brain connections were shown in this patient and they were not present in control persons. Therefore, the patient has created new connections.