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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Biological laterality and peripheral nerve DTI metrics.
Scott A Holmes1,2, Steven J Staffa1,2, Anastasia Karapanagou1,2
1Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Plos One
|December 16, 2021
Summary
Laterality significantly impacts peripheral nerve white matter indices, affecting measurements in the sciatic, tibial, and fibular nerves. Accounting for this biological asymmetry is crucial for accurate clinical analysis and diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Clinical studies often overlook laterality, potentially leading to inaccurate data.
- Laterality is well-established in the brain and motor systems, but its role in peripheral nerves is less explored.
- Peripheral nerve imaging requires consideration of biological asymmetries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of laterality on white matter indices of the sciatic nerve and its branches (tibial and fibular) using MRI.
- To determine if MRI-derived nerve measurements differ between ipsilateral and contralateral sides relative to hand dominance.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) were performed on 17 healthy participants.
- Peripheral nerves (sciatic, tibial, fibular) were scanned bilaterally.
- Generalized estimating equation modeling analyzed differences between ipsilateral and contralateral nerve fibers, controlling for age, sex, and scan number.
Main Results:
- Laterality affected radial, axial, and mean diffusivity in the tibial nerve.
- Axial diffusivity was lateralized in the sciatic nerve.
- Mean magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) showed a laterality effect in all nerve divisions. Sex also influenced tibial and fibular nerve fiber bundles.
Conclusions:
- Biological laterality in peripheral nerve characteristics must be considered in data analysis for both healthy and diseased states.
- Understanding peripheral nerve microstructure laterality can enhance pain disorder diagnosis, recovery tracking, and prognostication of pain chronification.
