Abstract

In psychiatric research, there is a growing interest in the microstructural and functional characteristics of brain networks, which often form the basis of current etiological concepts. As a result of novel magnetic resonance imaging techniques, the pathogenic characteristics of neuronal activity and connectivity can be examined in a noninvasive, safe, and repeatable manner. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) uses blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) measures for identifying the gray matter contribution to cognition. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveals the course and structural integrity of white matter projections. Because DTI does not require special motivation and performance, group differences in psychiatry are more easily interpreted in terms of underlying pathology. To date few studies have tried to investigate both, i.e. dynamic and microstructural data in the sense of a modern multi-dimensional investigation approach. The combination of both techniques, however, seems to offer a promising vehicle to further extent our current understanding of mental disorders and to identify populations at risk. In addition to addressing findings in psychiatric research, the present article presents a technical overview of DTI and examines the limitations and potential applications of both techniques.