Five year iron changes in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis deep gray matter compared to healthy controls

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neurology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Investigated 5-year changes in deep grey matter (DGM) in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) using MRI.
• Utilized R2* and quantitative susceptibility (QS) to assess volume, relaxation rate, and magnetic susceptibility.
• Employed Discriminative Analysis of Regional Evolution (DARE) to differentiate iron and non-iron sources of change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine longitudinal changes in DGM in RRMS patients over a 5-year period.
• To differentiate MRI-based changes originating from iron versus non-iron sources.
• To correlate imaging findings with clinical measures like disease duration and MS Severity Score.

Main Methods:

• Studied 25 RRMS patients and 25 age-matched controls at baseline and 5-year follow-up.
• Analyzed bulk DGM R2* and QS in the caudate nucleus, putamen, thalamus, and globus pallidus.
• Applied DARE for regional analysis and regression/correlation for clinical associations.

Main Results:

• No significant change in disability scores (EDSS) over 5 years.
• Significant longitudinal R2* changes in the caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus.
• Significant longitudinal QS change in the putamen and thalamic volume interaction.
• DARE identified significant iron decrease in the thalamus, caudate, and putamen.

Conclusions:

• Thalamic atrophy showed differential rates of change compared to controls over 5 years.
• Prominent iron decrease in the thalamus, caudate, and putamen observed in stable RRMS patients.
• No significant correlation found between imaging changes and clinical measures.