Final answer:
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is a type of MRI that tracks water molecule diffusion to visualize and analyze the white matter fibers of the brain by measuring the anisotropic diffusion which varies depending on tissue type, thereby assisting in medical diagnoses and monitoring.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is a specialized form of MRI imaging that measures the diffusion of water molecules in biological tissues, primarily used to visualize white matter tracts in the brain. DTI works on the principle that, in a magnetic field, hydrogen nuclei within water molecules emit signals as they return to equilibrium after the field is turned off. The time it takes for this relaxation varies by tissue type and status, allowing the technique to reveal the orientation and integrity of the brain's white matter fibers. In addition to standard MRI scans like T1 and T2, which rely on different relaxation mechanisms, DTI provides a unique contrast by capturing the anisotropic diffusion of water along nerve fibers, owing to the obstruction provided by myelin sheaths around axons. The strength of the magnetic field generated within an MRI unit, typically between 1 and 2 Tesla, and the response of hydrogen nuclei are fundamental to constructing detailed images of tissue that aid in diagnosing conditions like strokes and monitoring the progression of neurological disorders.