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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Published on: July 28, 2013

Functionally relevant white matter degradation in multiple sclerosis: a tract-based spatial meta-analysis.

Thomas Welton¹, Daniel Kent, Cris S Constantinescu

¹From the Departments of Radiological Sciences (T.W., D.K., D.P.A., R.A.D.) and Clinical Neurology (C.S.C.), Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Derby Rd, Nottingham NG7 2UH, England.

|November 27, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

White matter (WM) damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) is widespread, affecting physical and cognitive functions. Lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in specific brain areas correlates with disability and cognitive impairment, with cognition showing greater sensitivity.

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Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging

Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging

Published on: November 8, 2012

Area of Science:

Neuroimaging
Neuroscience
Medical Research

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by demyelination and axonal damage in the central nervous system.
White matter (WM) integrity is crucial for efficient neural communication, and its degradation is a hallmark of MS pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

To statistically synthesize findings from published studies on the distribution and functional impact of white matter (WM) degradation in MS.
To identify consensus on the relationship between white matter integrity and both physical and cognitive impairments in MS patients.

Main Methods:

Systematic literature search for tract-based spatial statistics studies comparing fractional anisotropy (FA) in MS patients versus controls.
Voxelwise meta-analysis using Signed Differential Mapping to assess FA differences and correlations.
Meta-regression to explore moderating effects of clinical and imaging variables.

Main Results:

Meta-analysis of 12 studies (495 MS patients, 253 controls) revealed widespread lower FA in MS patients.
Lower FA significantly correlated with physical disability in specific tracts (e.g., posterior cingulum, fornix).
Impaired cognition was associated with lower FA in distinct regions (e.g., genu of corpus callosum, thalamus), with more extensive clusters than physical disability.

Conclusions:

White matter damage in MS is extensive and affects distinct neural pathways relevant to physical and cognitive functions.
Cerebral white matter degradation appears to have a greater impact on cognitive dysfunction than physical disability in MS.
Reduced FA in the anterior corpus callosum and thalamus is particularly important for cognitive status in MS.