ODF maxima computation using hill climbing algorithm

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) is the only technique to probe invivo and non-invasively fiber structure of white matter. Diffusion was first modeled using the classical Second Order Diffusion Tensor model. However, this model is limited in regions of multiple fiber crossings and this has motivated the development of many approaches to extract crossing fibers. Methods like Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (DSI), High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging (HARDI) and the High Order Tensor techniques have been proposed to reconstruct specific functions like the Orientation Distribution Function (ODF) whose maxima do correspond to the directions of the multiple fibers. In this work, we are interested to extract all the crossing fibers characterized as the maxima of the Orientation Distribution Function (ODF). A Hill Climbing algorithm based approach has been developed and implemented to efficiently and accurately extract all the fibers. Promising experimental results obtained with synthetic and real data illustrate the potential of the technique.