Fiber Orientation Distribution

Fiber orientation distribution (FOD) analysis aims to map the three-dimensional arrangement of white matter fibers in the brain using diffusion MRI (dMRI), crucial for understanding brain connectivity and neurological diseases. Current research focuses on improving FOD estimation accuracy and robustness, particularly using deep learning models like U-Nets and transformers (e.g., Swin Transformers), often incorporating spherical harmonics representations and addressing challenges like susceptibility-induced distortions and limited data acquisition. These advancements enable more precise tractography and improved analysis of brain microstructure, impacting fields such as neuroscience, neurology, and clinical diagnostics.