What does Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) primarily assess?

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) primarily assesses connectivity within the brain. This imaging technique leverages the diffusion of water molecules in biological tissues, particularly in white matter. In the context of the brain, it maps the orientation and integrity of axonal pathways, which are crucial for communication between different brain regions. DTI can provide detailed information about the microstructural properties of white matter and can identify alterations in connectivity patterns that may be associated with various neurological conditions or brain injuries.

While methods like functional MRI might be more suited for measuring brain activity and identifying which areas are active at a given time, DTI’s strength lies in its ability to visualize and quantify the structural pathways that connect these active areas, making it instrumental in understanding how information flows through the brain's network. The other options, such as brain structure and cerebral blood flow, are better assessed by other imaging modalities.