Since its initial development in the mid-1980's, and wide accessibility to perform diffusion MRI on all MRI scanners, the use of diffusion MRI has exploded. Nearly every MRI centre carries out diffusion MRI of some kind.

Obtaining good quality diffusion MRI and making sound and robust inferences from the data is not trivial, however, and involves a long chain of events from ensuring that the hardware is performing optimally, the pulse sequence is carefully designed, the acquisition is optimal, the data quality is maximized while artifacts are minimized, the appropriate post-processing is used, and, where appropriate, the appropriate statistical testing is used, and the data are interpreted correctly.

Professor Derek Jones, a world authority on diffusion MRI, has assembled most of the world's leading scientists and clinicians developing and applying diffusion MRI to produce an authorship list that reads like a "Who's Who" of the field and a definitive, didactic and essential reference volume for those working with diffusion MRI.

Renowned for the clarity of his presentations, Prof Jones has worked closely with each author to ensure that the material is presented in the best possible and accessible manner. The book is aimed at those wishing to really understand where the diffusion signal comes from, and obtain a thorough grounding in the theory, methods and applications of diffusion MRI. The aim here is not to 'skim the surface' - but to dig deep into each topic - so that a thorough grounding is obtained.

In assembling these topics (many of which have never previously appeared in a text book on the topic), Prof Jones carefully balances theoretical treatments with practical considerations. Destined to be a modern classic, this definitive and richly illustrated reference volume deserves a place on the bookshelf of all imaging centres.