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A magnetization transfer imaging study of normal-appearing white matter in multiple sclerosis
M Filippi1, A Campi, V Dousset
1Department of Neurology, Scientific Institute Ospedale San Raffaele, University of Milan, Italy.
Neurology
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Subtle changes in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) are present in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. These alterations in NAWM, detected using magnetization transfer imaging (MTI), correlate with disease progression and disability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Multiple Sclerosis Research
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- The role of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in MS-related disability is not fully understood.
- Subtle white matter changes may precede overt lesion formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the significance of subtle changes in NAWM in the development of disability in MS.
- To compare NAWM characteristics between MS patients and healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between NAWM alterations and MS disease course.
Main Methods:
- Magnetization Transfer Imaging (MTI) was used to study NAWM in 27 MS patients and 10 controls.
- Mean MT Ratios (MTRs) were calculated for frontal lobe NAWM.
- MTRs were analyzed in areas adjacent to lesions and further away in MS patients.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited lower MTRs in frontal NAWM compared to controls (p = 0.02).
- MTRs in NAWM increased with distance from lesions, suggesting a gradient of change.
- Chronic-progressive MS patients showed lower MTRs in NAWM regions closest to lesions than relapsing-remitting MS patients.
Conclusions:
- Alterations in NAWM are confirmed in MS patients.
- These NAWM changes, measurable by MTI, are associated with MS.
- The findings suggest that NAWM alterations may contribute to disability in multiple sclerosis.