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Positron Emission Tomography Imaging for In Vivo Measuring of Myelin Content in the Lysolecithin Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: February 28, 2021
In vivo MR imaging of hippocampal lesions in multiple sclerosis
Stefan D Roosendaal1, Bastiaan Moraal, Hugo Vrenken
1Department of Radiology, MS Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, The Netherlands. s.roosendaal@vumc.nl
Purpose:
To investigate whether a recently improved version of the three-dimensional double inversion-recovery (3D-DIR) technique enables the in vivo detection of hippocampal lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Materials And Methods:
Magnetic resonance images of 16 patients and nine healthy control subjects were acquired at 1.5T. Lesions were scored on 3D-DIR images and were anatomically classified as white matter (WM), cortical, or hippocampal lesions. Associations between hippocampal, cortical, and WM lesion numbers were evaluated. Also, hippocampal lesions were retrospectively assessed on 3D-T2 and hippocampal and brain volumes were measured.
Results:
No hippocampal lesions were detected in control subjects. By contrast, 14 out of 16 MS patients had at least one hippocampal lesion. The mean number (+/-SD) of hippocampal lesions detected with 3D-DIR was 2.6 +/- 1.8 in MS patients; only 56% of these lesions could be observed on 3D-T2.
Conclusion:
Hippocampal lesions can be visualized in vivo with 3D-DIR and occur frequently in MS. The ability to visualize hippocampal lesions in vivo is of fundamental importance to future studies focusing on the role of gray matter (GM) damage in cognitive deficits, which are common in MS.
Insights
A new 3D-DIR MRI technique effectively detects hippocampal lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This advancement is crucial for understanding gray matter damage and cognitive issues common in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Cognitive deficits are common in MS, potentially linked to gray matter damage.
- In vivo detection of hippocampal lesions in MS has been challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an improved three-dimensional double inversion-recovery (3D-DIR) technique for detecting hippocampal lesions in MS.
- To assess the frequency and characteristics of hippocampal lesions in MS patients using 3D-DIR.
Main Methods:
- 1.5T MRI scans were acquired from 16 MS patients and 9 healthy controls.
- Lesions were identified and classified on 3D-DIR images (white matter, cortical, hippocampal).
- Hippocampal lesions were also assessed on 3D-T2 images; hippocampal and brain volumes were measured.
Main Results:
- No hippocampal lesions were found in healthy controls.
- 14 of 16 MS patients exhibited at least one hippocampal lesion.
- The mean number of hippocampal lesions detected by 3D-DIR was 2.6 ± 1.8; only 56% were visible on 3D-T2.
Conclusions:
- The 3D-DIR technique enables in vivo visualization of hippocampal lesions in MS.
- Hippocampal lesions are frequent in MS patients and may contribute to cognitive impairment.
- This imaging capability is vital for future research on gray matter pathology in MS.
