Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.10.09.332700v1?rss=1 Authors: Howard, A. F., Lange, F. J., Mollink, J., Cottaar, M., Drakesmith, M., Rudrapatna, S. U., Jones, D. K., Miller, K. L., Jbabdi, S. Abstract: By analysing the diffusion MRI signal, we can infer information about the microscopic structure of the brain. Two parameters of interest - the intra-axonal axial diffusivity and fibre orientation dispersion - are potential biomarkers for very different aspects of the white matter microstructure, yet they are difficult to disentangle. The parameters covary such that, if one is not accurately accounted for, the other will be biased. In this work we use high b-value data to isolate the signal from the intra-axonal compartment and resolve any degeneracies with the extra-axonal compartment. In the high b-value regime, we then use a model of dispersed sticks to estimate the intra-axonal axial diffusivity and fibre orientation distribution on a voxelwise basis. Our results in in vivo, human data show an intra-axonal axial diffusivity of ~2.3-3 m2/ms, where 3 m2/ms is the diffusivity of free water at 37{degrees}C. The intra-axonal axial diffusivity is seen to vary considerably across the white matter. For example, in the corpus callosum we find high values in the genu and splenium, and lower values in the midbody. Furthermore, the axial diffusivity and orientation dispersion appear negatively correlated, behaviour which we show is consistent with the presence of fibre undulations but not consistent with a degeneracy between fanning fibres and axial diffusivity. Finally, we demonstrate that the parameter maps output from Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) change substantially when the assumed axial diffusivity was increased from 1.7 to 2.5 or 3 m2/ms. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info