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Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Brain tissue sodium concentration in multiple sclerosis: a sodium imaging study at 3 tesla
M Inglese1, G Madelin, N Oesingmann
1Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 660 1st Avenue, 4th floor, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Brain : a Journal of Neurology
|January 30, 2010
Summary
Sodium magnetic resonance imaging reveals elevated sodium levels in multiple sclerosis lesions and normal-appearing white matter, correlating with disease severity and brain volume loss. This technique shows potential for understanding neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
Background:
- Neuro-axonal degeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) contributes to progressive disability.
- Axonal sodium accumulation may trigger calcium overload via the sodium/calcium exchanger, leading to cell death.
- Sodium magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) is hypothesized to indicate cellular integrity and ion homeostasis in MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility and findings of in vivo sodium magnetic resonance imaging at 3 Tesla in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
- To assess tissue sodium concentration in MS lesions and normal-appearing white and grey matter compared to healthy controls.
- To correlate sodium levels with lesion volume, brain atrophy, and clinical disability scores.
Main Methods:
- Sodium magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) was performed at 3 Tesla using a 3D radial gradient-echo sequence with a short echo time.
- Absolute total tissue sodium concentration was measured in lesions and normal-appearing white/grey matter in 17 MS patients and 13 controls.
- Statistical analyses included mixed-model ANCOVA for group comparisons and Spearman correlations for associations with lesion volume, brain volume, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.
Main Results:
- Tissue sodium concentration was significantly elevated in acute and chronic MS lesions compared to normal-appearing white matter (P < 0.0001).
- Normal-appearing white matter in MS patients showed higher sodium levels than in healthy controls (P < 0.0001).
- Elevated sodium levels correlated positively with T2- and T1-weighted lesion volumes and negatively with grey matter volume. EDSS scores showed a mild positive association with sodium levels in chronic lesions and normal-appearing white/grey matter.
Conclusions:
- In vivo sodium magnetic resonance imaging at 3 Tesla is feasible in multiple sclerosis patients.
- Abnormal tissue sodium concentration in MS may reflect altered cellular composition and integrity within lesions and normal-appearing white matter.
- sMRI holds potential for elucidating pathophysiological mechanisms of tissue injury in MS, pending histopathological correlation.
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