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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Diffusely abnormal white matter in progressive multiple sclerosis: in vivo quantitative MR imaging characterization
H Vrenken1, A Seewann, D L Knol
1Department of Radiology, MS Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. H.Vrenken@vumc.nl
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|October 24, 2009
Summary
Quantitative MRI measures in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain reveal differences in the deep white matter (DAWM) between primary progressive (PPMS) and secondary progressive (SPMS) disease types. These findings aid in characterizing DAWM pathology in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Quantitative MRI
- Multiple Sclerosis Pathophysiology
Background:
- Postmortem studies indicate quantitative MRI can assess white matter changes in MS.
- Deep white matter (DAWM) alterations are present in MS but require in vivo characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize DAWM in vivo using four quantitative MRI measures.
- To explore differences in DAWM characteristics between primary progressive MS (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS).
Main Methods:
- 17 patients with chronic MS (7 PPMS, 10 SPMS) underwent 1.5T quantitative MRI.
- Voxelwise maps of T1, MTR, ADC, and FA were generated.
- General linear mixed-model analysis compared tissue types (DAWM, NAWM, WM lesions) and disease types.
Main Results:
- DAWM values for T1, MTR, ADC, and FA were intermediate between normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and white matter lesions.
- In SPMS, DAWM significantly differed from both NAWM and lesions across all four measures.
- In PPMS, DAWM differed from NAWM in T1, MTR, and FA, and from lesions in FA.
- Crucially, DAWM in SPMS showed higher T1 and lower MTR compared to PPMS.
Conclusions:
- In vivo quantitative MRI measures (T1, MTR, ADC, FA) reflect varying DAWM pathology severity in MS.
- These imaging metrics suggest distinct DAWM characteristics between PPMS and SPMS.
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