Fiber orientation mapping using generalized diffusion tensor imaging

Generalized diffusion tensor imaging uses tensors of arbitrary ranks to model the angular variations in the diffusivities measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods. However, a diffusivity profile alone is not readily capable of producing distinct fiber orientations. In this work, we show how it is possible to get the displacement probability profile for water molecules from the higher rank diffusion tensors and validate the technique via simulations of one, two and three fiber systems. Finally, we present fiber orientation results for an image from an excised rat brain.