Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
09:33

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Published on: July 28, 2013

28.4K

Are white matter hyperintensities associated with neuroborreliosis? The answer is twofold

Elisabeth S Lindland1,2, Martin S Røvang3, Anne Marit Solheim4,5

  • 1Department of Radiology, Sorlandet Hospital, Sykehusveien 1, 4838, Arendal, Norway. Elisabeth.M.S.Lindland@sshf.no.

Neuroradiology
|October 18, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are not more common in neuroborreliosis patients. A slight reduction in WMH volume occurred in patients, linked to baseline severity, not disease outcome.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Radiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are often considered significant in neuroborreliosis.
  • Existing evidence linking WMHs to neuroborreliosis is limited and of low quality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in neuroborreliosis using both visual and quantitative MRI methods.
  • To assess the association between WMHs and neuroborreliosis.

Main Methods:

  • Brain MRI scans were performed on 74 early neuroborreliosis patients and 65 healthy controls.
  • WMHs were assessed via visual rating and automated volumetric segmentation.
  • Clinical and biochemical markers were analyzed for association with WMH volume changes.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in baseline WMH lesion counts was observed between neuroborreliosis patients and controls.
  • Patients showed a small reduction in WMH volume from baseline to follow-up, while controls had a slight increase.
  • WMH volume change in patients correlated with baseline WMH severity, not disease markers or outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Non-specific white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) should not be considered indicative of neuroborreliosis.
  • The observed reduction in WMH volume in patients suggests WMHs are not a direct marker of neuroborreliosis burden or outcome.
Keywords:
Central nervous system infectionsLyme neuroborreliosisMagnetic resonance imagingTick-borne diseases

More Related Videos

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis09:41

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: July 19, 2019

11.4K
Brain Infarct Segmentation and Registration on MRI or CT for Lesion-symptom Mapping10:25

Brain Infarct Segmentation and Registration on MRI or CT for Lesion-symptom Mapping

Published on: September 25, 2019

47.8K

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...