Synopsis

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is a magnetic resonance (MR) technique for estimating microstructural integrity and organization by quantifying the random, intravoxel incoherent motion of water protons. Restriction and/or alterations in water diffusion within the brain and other organs have been found useful for characterizing and monitoring disease processes and therapeutic responses to a number of pathologies and disorders. The current lecture will cover the fundamental physics, practical set-up, and quantification techniques using the basic DWI experiment, then end with a short discussion of clinical applications and advanced techniques at the cutting-edge of DWI research.