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Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Normal-appearing brain tissue analysis in radiologically isolated syndrome using 3 T MRI
Andrés Labiano-Fontcuberta1, Virginia Mato-Abad, Juan Álvarez-Linera
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital "12 de Octubre" Madrid Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Biomedical Technology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Móstoles Department of Radiology, Hospital Ruber International, Madrid Department of Neurology, University Hospital "Gregorio Marañón," Madrid Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Getafe, Getafe Department of Neurology, University Hospital "Principe de Asturias" Alcalá de Henares Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) Department of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) patients show brain atrophy but no significant hidden microstructural damage in normal-appearing brain tissue. Further MRI studies are needed to understand RIS pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is characterized by incidental MRI findings suggestive of demyelination.
- The extent of brain damage in RIS, particularly in normal-appearing brain tissue (NABT), remains poorly understood.
- Investigating sub-lesional microstructural changes is crucial for understanding RIS progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if brain damage exists in NABT in RIS patients beyond visible white matter lesions.
- To compare metabolite concentrations and microstructural integrity in NABT between RIS patients and healthy controls.
- To assess global and regional brain volumes in RIS patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3 Tesla MRI with single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
- Analyzed metabolite concentrations (NAA, Cr, etc.) and DTI metrics (FA, MD) in NABT of 18 RIS patients and 18 controls.
- Measured T2 lesion volumes and structural brain volumes (whole brain, cortical).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in NAA or NAA/Cr ratio were found in mid-parietal gray matter between RIS patients and controls.
- RIS patients exhibited lower fractional anisotropy (FA) only in areas overlapping T2 lesions, not in NABT.
- Significantly lower normalized brain and cortical volumes were observed in RIS patients compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Global brain and cortical atrophy in RIS are not primarily driven by occult microstructural damage in NABT.
- The observed atrophy suggests other pathological mechanisms may be at play in RIS.
- Longitudinal MRI studies are essential to elucidate the underlying pathological processes in this emerging clinical entity.
