Neural Microstructure Associates of Cognitive and Pain Symptomatology in Chiari Malformation Type I

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In this lecture, Dr. Jim Houston examines microstructural changes in the white matter of patients with Chiari malformation, with a focus on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as a potential research biomarker. Dr. Houston introduces the role of white matter in brain connectivity and cognition, explains how DTI measures water diffusion through white matter tracts, and describes a comprehensive study combining imaging, pain, symptom, and cognitive assessments. The findings show differences in fractional anisotropy in Chiari patients, including across the cerebellar peduncles, with associations to pain and attention performance. Houston concludes by discussing possible mechanisms, including abnormal CSF dynamics, inflammatory compression, and central pain sensitization, while emphasizing the need for further research and broader use of DTI in Chiari studies.

This lecture was presented on August 8th at Northeastern University. (2026)

This lecture was presented at the Chiari Research Open House at Northeastern University on August 8th. (2026)

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