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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Severity of white matter microstructural damage in a Brazilian relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis cohort: A
Rafael Correia1, Diogo Corrêa1, Thomas Doring2
1Department of Radiology, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói - RJ, Brazil.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important cause of acquired neurological disability in young adults, characterized by multicentric inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage.
Objective:
The objective is to investigate white matter (WM) damage progression in a Brazilian MS patient cohort, using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) post-processed by tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS).
Methods:
DTI scans were acquired from 76 MS patients and 37 sex-and-age matched controls. Patients were divided into three groups based on disease duration. DTI was performed along 30 non-collinear directions by using a 1.5T imager. For TBSS analysis, the WM skeleton was created, and a 5000 permutation-based inference with a threshold of p < .05 was used, to enable the identification of abnormalities in fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD).
Results:
Decreased FA and increased RD, MD, and AD were seen in patients compared to controls and a decreased FA and increased MD and RD were seen, predominantly after the first 5 years of disease, when compared between groups.
Conclusion:
Progressive WM deterioration is seen over time with a more prominent pattern after 5 years of disease onset, providing evidence that the early years might be a window to optimize treatment and prevent disability.
Insights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients show progressive white matter (WM) damage over time. This deterioration, particularly evident after five years, suggests early intervention is crucial for managing neurological disability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a primary cause of acquired neurological disability in young adults.
- MS pathology involves inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage in the central nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter (WM) damage progression in a Brazilian cohort of MS patients.
- Utilized diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analyzed with tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS).
Main Methods:
- Acquired DTI scans from 76 MS patients and 37 controls.
- Analyzed WM integrity using fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD).
- Employed TBSS with permutation-based inference (p < .05) to identify WM abnormalities.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited reduced FA and increased RD, MD, and AD compared to controls.
- Significant decreases in FA and increases in MD and RD were observed, especially after five years of disease duration.
Conclusions:
- White matter deterioration progresses over time in MS patients.
- The findings highlight the period after five years as a critical phase for WM damage.
- Early intervention in MS may be essential for optimizing treatment and preventing long-term disability.
