Improved reproducibility of diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index: an analysis of reorientation technique of the OASIS-3 dataset

PURPOSE: Diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index is intended to reflect the glymphatic function of the brain; however, head rotation may reduce reproducibility and reliability. This study aimed to evaluate whether reorientation of DTI data improves the reproducibility of the ALPS index using the OASIS-3 dataset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 234 cognitively normal subjects from the OASIS-3 dataset were included. Original and reoriented ALPS indices were calculated using a technique that registered vector information of DTI to another space and created reoriented diffusivity maps. The F test was used to compare variances of the original and reoriented ALPS indices. Subsequently, subjects with head rotation around the z- (inferior-superior; n = 43) or x axis (right-left; n = 25) and matched subjects with neutral head position were selected for evaluation of intra- and inter-rater reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of the original and reoriented ALPS indices for participants with head rotation and neutral head position were calculated separately. The Bland–Altman plot comparing the original and reoriented ALPS indices was also evaluated. RESULTS: The reoriented ALPS index exhibited a significantly smaller variance than the original ALPS index (p < 0.001). For intra- and inter-reliability, the reorientation technique showed good-to-excellent reproducibility in calculating the ALPS index even in subjects with head rotation (ICCs of original ALPS index: 0.52–0.81; ICCs of reoriented ALPS index: > 0.85). A wider range of the 95% limit of agreement of the Bland–Altman plot for subjects with x axis rotation was identified, indicating that x axis rotation may remarkably affect calculation of the ALPS index. CONCLUSION: The technique used in this study enabled the creation of reoriented diffusivity maps and improved reproducibility in calculating the ALPS index. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11604-022-01370-2.