Elevated Corpus Callosum T1rho Reflects Disease Burden and Structural Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Radiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Corpus callosum atrophy is a known feature of multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Quantitative T1rho imaging is sensitive to microstructural changes but its role in MS corpus callosum is unexplored.
• MS is associated with disease duration and severity.

Purpose of the Study:

• Characterize T1rho in the corpus callosum of MS patients.
• Examine relationships between T1rho values, callosal atrophy, and disease burden markers.
• Investigate T1rho in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Main Methods:

• T1rho imaging was performed on 30 RRMS patients and 30 healthy controls.
• T1rho values were measured in corpus callosum subregions.
• Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U test, independent samples t-test, and correlation coefficients.

Main Results:

• Significantly increased T1rho values were observed in all corpus callosum subregions in MS patients compared to controls.
• Corpus callosum T1rho values correlated with disease duration (r = 0.375-0.408, p < 0.041).
• T1rho values correlated with lesion load (r = 0.726-0.810, p < 0.001) and corpus callosum index (CCI) (r = -0.731--0.640, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• T1rho values are elevated in the corpus callosum of MS patients.
• Elevated T1rho is associated with disease duration, lesion load, and callosal atrophy.
• Quantitative T1rho imaging may serve as a valuable tool for assessing MS-related corpus callosum changes.