Scientific objectives of the associate team Diffusion MRI is a technique introduced in the mid-1980s (Le Bihan & al., 1985; Merboldt & al, 1985; Taylor & al, 1985) from which has stemmed a number of variations, such as Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), which was invented by Dr. Basser, a partner in this team, in the mid-1990s (P.J. Basser & al, 1994). High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging (HARDI) techniques such as Q-Ball Imaging (QBI) or Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (DSI) pioneered by Tuch & al. (Tuch; 2002) are more recent examples of DMRI. These powerful techniques have helped efficiently tackle and solve a number of important and challenging problems. They have also opened up a landscape of extremely exciting discoveries for medicine and neuroscience. The development of novel mathematical analysis tools for DTI or HARDI such as Q-Ball Imaging (QBI) will result in fundamental advancements for research on stroke, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, HIV/AIDS, neurosurgery, tumor growth modeling or neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. Moreover, our understanding of the development of the human brain, the effect of aging or the organization of anatomo-functional networks has already started to greatly benefit from this unprecedented insight into brain microstructure. Our main objectives within this research proposal are:

• To develop rigorous mathematical and computational tools for the analysis of Diffusion MRI data
• To improve acquisition techniques and push forward the state-of-the-art in Computational Diffusion MRI achieved through:
  • Joint publications in international conferences and journals dedicated to promoting advances in computational methods for Diffusion MRI analysis and/or use of Diffusion MRI in clinical and neuroscience applications.
  • Development of software packages that will be used at INRIA, NIH and the University of Minnesota's Center for Magnetic Resonance Research in a first stage and then made available to our other partners.
• To help address pressing and challenging clinical and neuroscience questions.