T2 relaxometry in the central nervous system of solvent misusers

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neurology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Solvent misuse can lead to central nervous system (CNS) damage.
• Previous research suggested a classification for white matter changes observed in solvent misusers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in the CNS of solvent misusers.
• To validate a proposed classification of white matter changes (restricted, intermediate, diffuse) based on visual inspection of MRI scans.

Main Methods:

• Calculated T2 values from MRI intensity measurements in nine brain regions.
• Compared eight solvent misusers (six with white matter changes) to age and gender-matched controls.
• Utilized Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Scheffe's post hoc test for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Significantly prolonged T2 values were observed in the centrum semiovale, periventricular white matter, internal capsule, and cerebellar white matter of solvent misusers with white matter changes.
• Shortened T2 values were found in the thalamus of these individuals.
• Different types of white matter changes exhibited distinct T2 change distributions, correlating with visual MRI findings.

Conclusions:

• Confirmed T2 prolongation in white matter and T2 shortening in the thalamus in solvent misusers with observable white matter changes.
• Provided further support for the classification system of white matter changes in solvent misuse.