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Normal-appearing white matter in optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis: a comparative proton spectroscopy study
A Tourbah1, J L Stievenart, A Abanou
1Service de Neuroradiologie, Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des XV-XX, 28 rue de Charenton, F-75012 Paris, France.
Neuroradiology
|November 7, 1999
Summary
Neurochemical abnormalities in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) were detected in patients with optic neuritis (ON) using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). These findings suggest MRS may identify ON-related brain changes not visible on standard MRI scans.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurochemistry
- Neurology
Background:
- Optic neuritis (ON) and multiple sclerosis (MS) involve white matter abnormalities.
- Standard MRI may not detect subtle neurochemical changes in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare neurochemical abnormalities in the NAWM of patients with ON and MS using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
- To determine if MRS can detect brain changes in ON not visible on conventional MRI.
Main Methods:
- Localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of NAWM was performed on 42 patients with ON, 55 patients with MS (relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS] and secondary progressive MS [SPMS]), and 15 controls.
- MRS parameters were analyzed and compared across patient groups and controls.
Main Results:
- Patients with MS showed significant NAWM abnormalities compared to controls and ON patients.
- MRS parameters in RRMS patients were comparable to those with ON.
- SPMS patients exhibited significant spectroscopic abnormalities compared to controls and RRMS patients.
- MRS detected abnormalities in 27% of ON patients, including decreased N-acetylaspartate (NAA), increased choline-containing compounds, and free lipid peaks.
Conclusions:
- MRS can detect neurochemical abnormalities in the NAWM of patients with ON, suggesting axonal dysfunction or loss.
- MRS may be a valuable tool for identifying subclinical brain pathology in ON that is not apparent on standard MRI.
- Distinct neurochemical profiles exist between different stages of MS and ON.