Objective To investigate the differences in neurite density index(NDI),neurite orientation dispersion index(ODI),and volume fraction of isotropic water molecule(Viso)of subcutaneous white matter fiber tracts in patients with cerebral small ves-sel disease(CSVD),and the effect of the glymphatic system(GS)on NDI,ODI,and Viso values of white matter fiber tracts in patients with CSVD.Methods A total of 69 CSVD patients(CSVD group)were retrospectively selected.All patients underwent conventional plain MRI scans[3D-T1,T2WI,3D-T2 fluid attenuated inversion recovery(FLAIR)],spin echo-echo planar imaging(SE-EPI),and susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI)scans.The NDI,ODI,and Viso values of 29 white matter fiber tracts in the brain were meas-ured using post-processing software.Thirty-five healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group,and the independent sample t test was used to compare the differences of NDI,ODI,and Viso values between the two groups.Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between along the perivascular space(ALPS)index and NDI,ODI,and Viso values of 29 white matter fiber tracts in CSVD patients.Results Compared with control group,CSVD group showed a statistically significant increase in Viso values in 26 white matter fiber tracts and decrease in NDI values in 14 white matter fiber tracts(PFDR<0.05).In multiple linear regression,the decrease of ALPS index in CSVD patients was found to be statistically different from that of NDI values in certain white matter fiber tracts(PFDR<0.05)and primarily located in the frontal and temporal lobes.Conclusion Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging(NODDI)technology is more effective in identifying the biological differences,which impact the integrity of white matter fiber tracts in patients with CSVD.Furthermore,it reflects the pathophysiological changes of the brain GS on different white matter fiber tracts in CSVD patients.This provides valuable insights for recognizing the clinical manifestations of CSVD and developing appropri-ate treatment plans.
cerebral small vessel diseasemagnetic resonance imagingglymphatic systemwhite matter fiber tracts