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Updated: Nov 8, 2025
Development of an Uncomplicated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Model Modified by Weight-Drop Method and Evidenced by Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: April 11, 2025
Myelin water fraction decrease in individuals with chronic mild traumatic brain injury and persistent symptoms
Bretta Russell-Schulz1, Irene M Vavasour1, Jing Zhang2
1UBC MRI Research Centre, Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Abstract:
The diffuse and continually evolving secondary changes after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) make it challenging to assess alterations in brain-behaviour relationships. In this study we used myelin water imaging to evaluate changes in myelin water fraction (MWF) in individuals with chronic mTBI and persistent symptoms and measured their cognitive status using the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery. Fifteen adults with mTBI with persistent symptoms and twelve age, gender and education matched healthy controls took part in this study. We found a significant decrease in global white matter MWF in patients compared to the healthy controls. Significantly lower MWF was evident in most white matter region of interest (ROIs) examined including the corpus callosum (separated into genu, body and splenium), minor forceps, right anterior thalamic radiation, left inferior longitudinal fasciculus; and right and left superior longitudinal fasciculus and corticospinal tract. Although patients showed lower cognitive functioning, no significant correlations were found between MWF and cognitive measures. These results suggest that individuals with chronic mTBI who have persistent symptoms have reduced MWF.
Insights
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is linked to reduced myelin water fraction (MWF) in white matter, impacting brain structure long-term. This study found lower MWF in chronic mTBI patients, but no direct correlation with cognitive performance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can cause persistent symptoms, complicating the assessment of brain-behavior relationships due to evolving secondary changes.
- Myelin integrity is crucial for cognitive function, and its alterations may underlie long-term deficits after brain injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter integrity using myelin water imaging in individuals with chronic mTBI and persistent symptoms.
- To assess the relationship between myelin water fraction (MWF) and cognitive status in this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized myelin water imaging to quantify myelin water fraction (MWF) in the white matter of participants.
- Administered the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery to measure cognitive functioning.
- Compared MWF and cognitive data between 15 adults with chronic mTBI and 12 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- A significant global decrease in white matter MWF was observed in individuals with chronic mTBI compared to healthy controls.
- Reduced MWF was found in multiple white matter regions, including the corpus callosum, superior longitudinal fasciculus, and corticospinal tract.
- Despite lower cognitive functioning in mTBI patients, no significant correlation was found between MWF and cognitive measures.
Conclusions:
- Chronic mild traumatic brain injury with persistent symptoms is associated with reduced white matter myelin integrity, as indicated by decreased MWF.
- While myelin damage is evident, its direct correlation with cognitive deficits in this chronic mTBI cohort requires further investigation.
