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Positron Emission Tomography Imaging for In Vivo Measuring of Myelin Content in the Lysolecithin Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: February 28, 2021
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Myelin Detection Using Rapid Quantitative MR Imaging Correlated to Macroscopically Registered Luxol Fast Blue-Stained
J B M Warntjes1,2,3, A Persson4, J Berge5
1From the Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (J.B.M.W., A.P., W.Z.) marcel.warntjes@cmiv.liu.se.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|April 22, 2017
Summary
This study validates a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for myelin detection. The quantitative MRI technique shows good correlation with traditional staining methods, supporting its clinical potential for diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biophysics
Background:
- Myelin detection is crucial for diagnosing neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis and dementia.
- Current MR imaging methods for myelin quantification are often not suitable for routine clinical application.
- A new method infers myelin presence using its effects on water relaxation rates and proton density via rapid quantitative MR imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To further validate a novel quantitative MR imaging method for myelin detection.
- To assess the accuracy of this method in fresh, intact human cadaver brains.
Main Methods:
- 12 fresh, intact cadaver brains were scanned using quantitative MR imaging to obtain relaxation rates and proton density.
- Brains were subsequently excised, and myelin presence was verified using Luxol fast blue staining.
- Optical density from stained brain slices was correlated with quantitative MR imaging myelin estimations.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation (Spearman ρ = 0.74 ± 0.11) was observed between the novel MR imaging method and myelin staining.
- Linear regression analysis yielded a mean intercept of 1.50% ± 2.84% and a slope of 4.37% ± 1.73%/%.
- Individual relaxation rates and proton density showed moderate correlations, while transverse relaxation rates had very low correlation.
Conclusions:
- The strong correlation found supports the validity of the quantitative MR imaging method for myelin measurement.
- This technique shows promise as a more accessible tool for clinical myelin assessment.
