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Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Predicting degree of myelination based on diffusion tensor imagining of canines with mucopolysaccharidosis type I
Joshua Choi1, Patricia Dickson2, Evan Calabrese1
1Duke University School of Medicine, USA.
Objective:
This study examined the effect of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type 1 on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics in the canine brain. We hypothesized 1) white matter regions in the MPS brain would show decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity (RD) compared to the same regions in normal brain, 2) compared to FA, RD would more closely correlate with myelin density and fiber coherence, and 3) DTI and histological data from the normal brain could be used to accurately predict degree of myelination in the MPS brain using DTI metrics.
Methods:
We performed DTI imaging on one normal canine brain and two MPS brains on a 7T MR scanner and generated FA and RD maps. Brains were sectioned and stained with a gold chloride stain for myelin to obtain myelin optical density and fiber coherence values. The three brains were compared using the DTI and histology metrics.
Results:
Most measured regions in one MPS brain and all measured regions in the other MPS brain exhibited decreased FA, increased RD, and decreased myelin density in white matter. FA and RD significantly correlated with myelin density in the normal brain but failed to reach significance in either MPS brain. A predictive model using FA but not RD was able to accurately predict degree of myelination in one MPS brain.
Conclusion:
Dysmyelination in the MPS brain results in decreased FA and increased RD. However, in the small sample, FA and RD were values not significantly correlated with myelination in either MPS brain.
Insights
Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type 1 in dogs causes dysmyelination, leading to reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity (RD) in the brain. These diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics did not significantly correlate with myelin density in MPS brains.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Veterinary Neurology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type 1 is a lysosomal storage disorder that can affect the central nervous system.
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is a neuroimaging technique that measures water diffusion to assess white matter integrity.
- Understanding the impact of MPS on brain myelination is crucial for developing potential therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MPS type 1 on DTI metrics (FA and RD) in the canine brain.
- To evaluate the correlation between DTI metrics and myelin density/fiber coherence.
- To determine if DTI data can predict myelination levels in MPS brains.
Main Methods:
- DTI imaging was performed on one normal and two MPS canine brains using a 7T MR scanner.
- Brains were stained with gold chloride to quantify myelin optical density and fiber coherence.
- DTI metrics (FA, RD) and histological data were compared across the brains.
Main Results:
- MPS brains showed decreased FA, increased RD, and reduced myelin density in white matter regions.
- FA and RD significantly correlated with myelin density in the normal brain but not in MPS brains.
- A predictive model using FA could accurately predict myelination in one MPS brain.
Conclusions:
- Dysmyelination in MPS type 1 canine brains is associated with decreased FA and increased RD.
- In this small sample, FA and RD did not significantly correlate with myelination in MPS brains.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to fully elucidate the relationship between DTI metrics and myelination in MPS.
