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Updated: Jun 4, 2025
Positron Emission Tomography Imaging for In Vivo Measuring of Myelin Content in the Lysolecithin Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: February 28, 2021
Evaluation of myelin content in the spinal cord of patients with multiple sclerosis: A positron emission tomography
Letícia Zorante de Lucena1, Kenia Repiso Campanholo1, Samira Luiza Apóstolos Pereira2
1Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine (LIM43), Department of Radiology and Oncology, Faculdade de Medicina-FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-911, SP, Brazil.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is divided into Relapsing-Remitting (RRMS) and Progressive (PMS) phenotypes, both associated with spinal cord (SC) damage. MS-related disability and SC atrophy are not yet fully understood and can differ across phenotypes. A combined approach using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) could provide a broader understanding of myelin changes in the cervical SC (CSC) in different MS phenotypes and the associations with disability.
Objectives:
To evaluate CSC myelin content using a PET-MRI with [11C]PIB and its association with disability in PMS and RRMS compared to healthy volunteers (HV).
Methods:
[11C]PIB PET images and T1-MRI of 49 patients with MS and 19 HV were evaluated at C1-C2, C3, and C4 vertebrae levels. [11C]PIB uptake and volume were compared between groups.
Results:
[11C]PIB uptake was significantly lower at C1-C4, C1-C2, and C3 segments when comparing PMS to RRMS and HV. [11C]PIB uptake inversely correlated with overall disability in all CSC segments in all patients with MS, and in the RRMS phenotype separately.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest an association between [11C]PIB CSC uptake and overall disability score measured by EDSS. MRI and PET can be used as complementary methods for studying MS.
Insights
Positron Emission Tomography with [11C]PIB reveals lower cervical spinal cord myelin in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and correlates with disability. This combined PET-MRI approach aids MS research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiochemistry
- Neurology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) presents with Relapsing-Remitting (RRMS) and Progressive (PMS) phenotypes, both involving spinal cord (SC) damage.
- SC atrophy and disability in MS are not fully understood and vary by phenotype.
- Combined Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can elucidate myelin changes in the cervical SC (CSC) and their link to disability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess CSC myelin content using PET-MRI with [11C]PIB.
- To investigate the association between CSC myelin content and disability in PMS and RRMS patients compared to healthy volunteers (HV).
Main Methods:
- [11C]PIB PET and T1-MRI scans were analyzed in 49 MS patients and 19 HV at C1-C4 vertebral levels.
- Cervical spinal cord [11C]PIB uptake and volume were compared across groups.
- Correlation between [11C]PIB uptake and disability scores was examined.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower [11C]PIB uptake was observed in PMS compared to RRMS and HV across C1-C4, C1-C2, and C3 segments.
- [11C]PIB uptake showed an inverse correlation with overall disability in all MS patients and specifically in the RRMS phenotype.
Conclusions:
- Cervical spinal cord [11C]PIB uptake is associated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score in MS.
- PET and MRI serve as complementary tools for studying MS pathophysiology and progression.
