A generalised framework for super-resolution track-weighted imaging

Track-density imaging (TDI) was recently introduced as a method to achieve super-resolution imaging using whole-brain fibre-tracking data (the so called tractogram). A similar approach to achieve super-resolution was later applied for average pathlength mapping (APM). These two methods have in common that the tractogram information is used to create an image with novel contrast and super-resolution properties. In this study, we present a generalised framework for creating super-resolution track-weighted imaging (TWI), where the intensity of the map can be made dependent on any specific property of the streamlines or their set of spatial coordinates. Furthermore, each contrast can be determined by a number of characteristics that are under user control. It is shown that TDI and APM represent specific cases of this generalised framework, and that this framework opens up the possibility of generating a large range of images with novel image contrasts. Finally, it is shown that the same super-resolution principles as those introduced in the original TDI method are also applicable to any of these new images. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.