Accelerated diffusion tensor imaging with self-supervision and fine-tuning

Abstract Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is essential for assessing brain microstructure but requires long acquisition times, limiting clinical use. Recent deep learning (DL) approaches, such as SuperDTI or deepDTI, improve DTI metrics but demand large, high-quality datasets for training. We propose...

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Main Authors: Phillip Martin, Diego Martin, Maria Altbach, Ali Bilgin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96459-9
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author Phillip Martin
Diego Martin
Maria Altbach
Ali Bilgin
author_facet Phillip Martin
Diego Martin
Maria Altbach
Ali Bilgin
author_sort Phillip Martin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is essential for assessing brain microstructure but requires long acquisition times, limiting clinical use. Recent deep learning (DL) approaches, such as SuperDTI or deepDTI, improve DTI metrics but demand large, high-quality datasets for training. We propose a self-supervised deep learning with fine-tuning (SSDLFT) framework to reduce training data requirements. SSDLFT involves self-supervised pretraining, which denoises data without clean labels, followed by fine-tuning with limited high-quality data. Experiments using Human Connectome Project data show that SSDLFT outperforms traditional methods and other DL approaches in qualitative and quantitative assessments of DWI reconstructions and tensor metrics. SSDLFT’s ability to maintain high performance with fewer training subjects and DWIs presents a significant advancement, enhancing DTI’s practical applications in clinical and research settings.
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spelling doaj-art-05b3a7e19e4d40f9b12105f5ea88e00e2025-08-20T02:17:50ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-96459-9Accelerated diffusion tensor imaging with self-supervision and fine-tuningPhillip Martin0Diego Martin1Maria Altbach2Ali Bilgin3Department of Radiology, Houston Methodist Research InstituteDepartment of Radiology, Houston Methodist Research InstituteDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of ArizonaDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of ArizonaAbstract Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is essential for assessing brain microstructure but requires long acquisition times, limiting clinical use. Recent deep learning (DL) approaches, such as SuperDTI or deepDTI, improve DTI metrics but demand large, high-quality datasets for training. We propose a self-supervised deep learning with fine-tuning (SSDLFT) framework to reduce training data requirements. SSDLFT involves self-supervised pretraining, which denoises data without clean labels, followed by fine-tuning with limited high-quality data. Experiments using Human Connectome Project data show that SSDLFT outperforms traditional methods and other DL approaches in qualitative and quantitative assessments of DWI reconstructions and tensor metrics. SSDLFT’s ability to maintain high performance with fewer training subjects and DWIs presents a significant advancement, enhancing DTI’s practical applications in clinical and research settings.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96459-9Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)Deep learning (DL)Self-supervised learningFractional anisotropy (FA)Mean diffusivity (MD)
spellingShingle Phillip Martin
Diego Martin
Maria Altbach
Ali Bilgin
Accelerated diffusion tensor imaging with self-supervision and fine-tuning
Scientific Reports
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
Deep learning (DL)
Self-supervised learning
Fractional anisotropy (FA)
Mean diffusivity (MD)
title Accelerated diffusion tensor imaging with self-supervision and fine-tuning
title_full Accelerated diffusion tensor imaging with self-supervision and fine-tuning
title_fullStr Accelerated diffusion tensor imaging with self-supervision and fine-tuning
title_full_unstemmed Accelerated diffusion tensor imaging with self-supervision and fine-tuning
title_short Accelerated diffusion tensor imaging with self-supervision and fine-tuning
title_sort accelerated diffusion tensor imaging with self supervision and fine tuning
topic Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
Deep learning (DL)
Self-supervised learning
Fractional anisotropy (FA)
Mean diffusivity (MD)
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96459-9
work_keys_str_mv AT phillipmartin accelerateddiffusiontensorimagingwithselfsupervisionandfinetuning
AT diegomartin accelerateddiffusiontensorimagingwithselfsupervisionandfinetuning
AT mariaaltbach accelerateddiffusiontensorimagingwithselfsupervisionandfinetuning
AT alibilgin accelerateddiffusiontensorimagingwithselfsupervisionandfinetuning