Diffusion tensor imaging of corpus callosum integrity in multiple sclerosis: correlation with disease variables

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neurology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• The corpus callosum (CC) is frequently affected in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Understanding CC microstructural integrity is crucial for assessing MS progression.
• Previous studies highlight the impact of MS on white matter tracts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate corpus callosum (CC) microstructure integrity using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in relapsing-remitting MS patients with low disability.
• To compare DTI-CC parameters between MS patients and healthy controls.
• To identify correlations between DTI-CC metrics and clinical variables of MS disease activity.

Main Methods:

• Corpus callosum (CC) volume measured using 3.0T brain MRI and MS Analyze software.
• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics including fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), longitudinal (λ1), and transverse (λ2, λ3) diffusivities acquired along 31 directions.
• Disease activity assessed by relapse rate and neurological disability using the Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

Main Results:

• Significant differences in CC volume and DTI metrics were observed between 30 MS patients and 30 age-matched healthy controls.
• All DTI parameters showed correlations with neurological disability in MS patients.
• ADC, longitudinal, and transverse diffusivity correlated with disease duration; ADC and transverse diffusivity correlated with relapse rate.

Conclusions:

• Corpus callosum (CC) DTI parameters, particularly ADC and transverse diffusivity, are significantly correlated with clinical disease variables in MS.
• These findings suggest DTI of the CC can serve as a valuable biomarker for MS disease activity and progression.
• Microstructural integrity of the CC is a sensitive indicator of neurological impairment in MS.