Diffusion tensor imaging in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Citation
Cm. Griffin et al., Diffusion tensor imaging in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, MULT SCLER, 7(5), 2001, pp. 290-297
Citations number
45
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Neurology,"Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
ISSN journal
1352-4585 → ACNP
Volume
7
Issue
5
Year of publication
2001
Pages
290 - 297
Database
ISI
SICI code
1352-4585(200110)7:5<290:DTIIER>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) indices are abnormal in p atients with established multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this stu dy was to examine the diffusion characteristics of MS lesions, normal appea ring white matter (NAWM) and normal appearing grey matter (NAGM) in MS pati ents with early relapsing-remitting disease. A further objective was to inv estigate the relationship between three DTI parameters (fractional anisotro py (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and volume ratio (VR)) and clinical outcome measures (Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and MS Functional Composite Measure) in early disease. DTI was performed in 28 patients and 27 controls. Analysis was carried out using a region of interest (ROI) appr oach. ROIs were placed in 12 NAWM and nine NAGM regions. Significant differ ences were found in FA, MD and VR between lesions and NAWM (P < 0.001 for a ll three DTI parameters). No significant differences were found between pat ients and controls when examining NAWM or NAGM, although there was a trend for abnormal NAWM FA and VR in some regions, No correlation was found betwe en DTI parameters in lesions, NAWM or NAGM and the clinical outcome measure s. The lack of significant DTI abnormality in the NAWM and NAGM may reflect a lack of pathological change or a limited sensitivity of DTI using ROI me thodology. Previous studies have shown abnormalities in TI relaxation time, magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) and N-Acetyl aspartate (NAA) in this co hort of patients, and as such, DTI using a region of interest (ROI) approac h may not be as sensitive as other MR techniques in detecting subtle change s in normal appearing brain tissue in early disease.