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Published on: February 28, 2021
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Whole brain in vivo axonal diameter mapping in multiple sclerosis
Summary
Multi-shell diffusion MRI with varying diffusion times reveals widespread increases in axonal diameter in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This advanced imaging technique shows promise as a sensitive biomarker for detecting microstructural changes in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biomarkers
- White Matter Diseases
Background:
- Diffusion MRI has low specificity for white matter microstructural changes in diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).
- These changes can include axonal loss, demyelination, and altered axonal size, which are difficult to differentiate with traditional methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance specificity in detecting white matter microstructural alterations in MS using advanced diffusion MRI techniques.
- To estimate intra-voxel axonal diameter distributions and identify potential non-invasive biomarkers for MS progression.
Main Methods:
- Applied a multi-shell diffusion MRI protocol with multiple b-values and varying diffusion times.
- Utilized the AxCaliber model to estimate axonal diameter indices across the whole brain in MS patients and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated widespread increases in axonal diameter in MS patients compared to healthy controls.
- Axonal diameter estimation showed high discrimination power for alterations in normal-appearing white matter in MS.
Conclusions:
- Multi-shell diffusion MRI with varying diffusion times and the AxCaliber model can effectively disentangle microstructural alterations in MS.
- Axonal diameter estimation holds promise as a sensitive and specific non-invasive biomarker for irreversible MS progression.
