What is Tractography?

Tractography algorithms aim to reconstruct the structural connections of underlying biological anatomy. Traditionally, in the brain, tractography is applied to reconstruct the brain’s white matter structure using diffusion magnetic resonance images (dMRI) that are sensitive to the movement of water molecules inside brain tissue. Given that water preferentially moves along white matter fibers rather than across them, tractography algorithms can traverse the orientations generated by dMRI to produce streamlines that reflect an underlying map of white matter fiber connections. To date, tractography is still the only method capable of measuring the brain’s underlying “wiring diagram” in living subjects.

Tractography 2.0 and a New Society

Since the mid-90’s, tractography has had a rapid methodological and technological progression. However, it is well-known that significant work is needed for it to become a quantitative tool ready for the industry and clinicians. To that end, the society was created in part to pursue large-scale collaborative projects to address the accuracy and precision of tractography methods while also increasing the accessibility of tractography for clinicians and non-expert users. Additionally, the society plans to incorporate more than just the diffusion MRI community into the field of tractography. A primary goal is to improve tractography results by integrating the expansive knowledge from neuroanatomists, potential validation techniques (e.g. tract tracing) as well as including novel biological insights derived from the ever advancing field of microscopic imaging. This interdisciplinary approach aims to enhance the robustness and applicability of tractography across various domains.