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Cagol A, Tsagkas C, Granziera C. Advanced Brain Imaging in Central Nervous System Demyelinating Diseases. Neuroimaging Clin N Am 2024; 34:335-357. [PMID: 38942520 DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, advances in neuroimaging have profoundly transformed our comprehension of central nervous system demyelinating diseases. Remarkable technological progress has enabled the integration of cutting-edge acquisition and postprocessing techniques, proving instrumental in characterizing subtle focal changes, diffuse microstructural alterations, and macroscopic pathologic processes. This review delves into state-of-the-art modalities applied to multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Furthermore, it explores how this dynamic landscape holds significant promise for the development of effective and personalized clinical management strategies, encompassing support for differential diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring treatment response, and patient stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cagol
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Hegenheimermattweg 167b, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 2, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, Via A. Pastore, 1 16132 Genova, Italy. https://twitter.com/CagolAlessandr0
| | - Charidimos Tsagkas
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Hegenheimermattweg 167b, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; Translational Neuroradiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Cristina Granziera
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Hegenheimermattweg 167b, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 2, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
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Chen X, Roberts N, Zheng Q, Peng Y, Han Y, Luo Q, Feng J, Luo T, Li Y. Comparison of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tissue characterization parameters in white matter tracts of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Eur Radiol 2024; 34:5263-5275. [PMID: 38175221 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10550-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the microstructural properties of T2 lesion and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in 20 white matter tracts between multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and correlations between the tissue damage and clinical variables. METHODS The white matter (WM) compartment of the brain was segmented for 56 healthy controls (HC), 48 patients with MS, and 38 patients with NMOSD, and for the patients further subdivided into T2 lesion and NAWM. Subsequently, the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tissue characterization parameters of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were compared for 20 principal white matter tracts. The correlation between tissue damage and clinical variables was also investigated. RESULTS The higher T2 lesion volumes of 14 fibers were shown in MS compared to NMOSD. MS showed more microstructure damage in 13 fibers of T2 lesion, but similar microstructure in seven fibers compared to NMOSD. MS and NMOSD had microstructure damage of NAWM in 20 fibers compared to WM in HC, with more damage in 20 fibers in MS compared to NMOSD. MS patients showed higher correlation between the microstructure of T2 lesion areas and NAWM. The T2 lesion microstructure damage was correlated with duration and impaired cognition in MS. CONCLUSIONS Patients with MS and NMOSD show different patterns of microstructural damage in T2 lesion and NAWM areas. The prolonged disease course of MS may aggravate the microstructural damage, and the degree of microstructural damage is further related to cognitive impairment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT Microstructure differences between T2 lesion areas and normal-appearing white matter help distinguish multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. In multiple sclerosis, lesions rather than normal-appearing white matter should be a concern, because the degree of lesion severity correlated both with normal-appearing white matter damage and cognitive impairment. KEY POINTS • Multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder have different damage patterns in T2 lesion and normal-appearing white matter areas. • The microstructure damage of normal-appearing white matter is correlated with the microstructure of T2 lesion in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. • The microstructure damage of T2 lesion in multiple sclerosis is correlated with duration and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Chen
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Neil Roberts
- Edinburgh Imaging Facility QMRI, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Qiao Zheng
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yuling Peng
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yongliang Han
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Qi Luo
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jinzhou Feng
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Tianyou Luo
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| | - Yongmei Li
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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Rubin M, Pagani E, Preziosa P, Meani A, Storelli L, Margoni M, Filippi M, Rocca MA. Cerebrospinal Fluid-In Gradient of Cortical and Deep Gray Matter Damage in Multiple Sclerosis. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2024; 11:e200271. [PMID: 38896808 PMCID: PMC11197989 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES A CSF-in gradient in cortical and thalamic gray matter (GM) damage has been found in multiple sclerosis (MS). We concomitantly explored the patterns of cortical, thalamic, and caudate microstructural abnormalities at progressive distances from CSF using a multiparametric MRI approach. METHODS For this cross-sectional study, from 3T 3D T1-weighted scans, we sampled cortical layers at 25%-50%-75% depths from pial surface and thalamic and caudate bands at 2-3-4 voxels from the ventricular-GM interface. Using linear mixed models, we tested between-group comparisons of magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and R2* layer-specific z-scores, CSF-in across-layer z-score changes, and their correlations with clinical (disease duration and disability) and structural (focal lesions, brain, and choroid plexus volume) MRI measures. RESULTS We enrolled 52 patients with MS (33 relapsing-remitting [RRMS], 19 progressive [PMS], mean age: 46.4 years, median disease duration: 15.1 years, median: EDSS 2.0) and 70 controls (mean age 41.5 ± 12.8). Compared with controls, RRMS showed lower MTR values in the outer and middle cortical layers (false-discovery rate [FDR]-p ≤ 0.025) and lower R2* values in all 3 cortical layers (FDR-p ≤ 0.016). PMS had lower MTR values in the outer and middle cortical (FDR-p ≤ 0.016) and thalamic (FDR-p ≤ 0.048) layers, and in the outer caudate layer (FDR-p = 0.024). They showed lower R2* values in the outer cortical layer (FDR-p = 0.003) and in the outer thalamic layer (FDR-p = 0.046) and higher R2* values in all 3 caudate layers (FDR-p ≤ 0.031). Both RRMS and PMS had a gradient of damage, with lower values closer to the CSF, for cortical (FDR-p ≤ 0.002) and thalamic (FDR-p ≤ 0.042) MTR. PMS showed a gradient of damage for cortical R2* (FDR-p = 0.005), thalamic R2* (FDR-p = 0.004), and caudate MTR (FDR-p ≤ 0.013). Lower MTR and R2* of outer cortical, thalamic, and caudate layers and steeper gradient of damage toward the CSF were significantly associated with older age, higher T2-hyperintense white matter lesion volume, higher thalamic lesion volume, and lower brain volume (β ≥ 0.08, all FDR-p ≤ 0.040). Lower MTR of outer caudate layer was associated with more severe disability (β = -0.26, FDR-p = 0.040). No correlations with choroid plexus volume were found. DISCUSSION CSF-in damage gradients are heterogeneous among different GM regions and through MS course, possibly reflecting different dynamics of demyelination and iron loss/accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Rubin
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.R., E.P., P.P., A.M., L.S., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), Division of Neuroscience; Neurology Unit (M.R., P.P., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (M.R., P.P., M.F., M.A.R.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.M., M.F.); and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Pagani
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.R., E.P., P.P., A.M., L.S., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), Division of Neuroscience; Neurology Unit (M.R., P.P., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (M.R., P.P., M.F., M.A.R.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.M., M.F.); and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Preziosa
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.R., E.P., P.P., A.M., L.S., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), Division of Neuroscience; Neurology Unit (M.R., P.P., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (M.R., P.P., M.F., M.A.R.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.M., M.F.); and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Meani
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.R., E.P., P.P., A.M., L.S., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), Division of Neuroscience; Neurology Unit (M.R., P.P., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (M.R., P.P., M.F., M.A.R.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.M., M.F.); and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Loredana Storelli
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.R., E.P., P.P., A.M., L.S., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), Division of Neuroscience; Neurology Unit (M.R., P.P., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (M.R., P.P., M.F., M.A.R.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.M., M.F.); and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Margoni
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.R., E.P., P.P., A.M., L.S., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), Division of Neuroscience; Neurology Unit (M.R., P.P., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (M.R., P.P., M.F., M.A.R.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.M., M.F.); and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.R., E.P., P.P., A.M., L.S., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), Division of Neuroscience; Neurology Unit (M.R., P.P., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (M.R., P.P., M.F., M.A.R.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.M., M.F.); and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria A Rocca
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.R., E.P., P.P., A.M., L.S., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), Division of Neuroscience; Neurology Unit (M.R., P.P., M.M., M.F., M.A.R.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (M.R., P.P., M.F., M.A.R.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.M., M.F.); and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Romanò F, Valsasina P, Pagani E, De Simone A, Parolin E, Filippi M, Rocca MA. Structural and functional correlates of disability, motor and cognitive performances in multiple sclerosis: Focus on the globus pallidus. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 86:105576. [PMID: 38579567 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore structural and functional alterations of external (GPe) and internal (GPi) globus pallidus in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) compared to healthy controls (HC) and analyze their relationship with measures of clinical disability, motor and cognitive impairment. METHODS Sixty pwMS and 30 HC comparable for age and sex underwent 3.0T MRI, including conventional, diffusion tensor MRI and resting state (RS) functional MRI. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were rated and timed 25-foot walk (T25FW) test, nine-hole peg test (9HPT), and paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT) were administered. Two operators segmented the GP into GPe and GPi. Volumes, T1/T2 ratio, diffusivity indices and seed-based RS functional connectivity (FC) of the GP and its components were assessed. RESULTS PwMS had no atrophy or altered diffusivity measures of the GP. Compared to HC, pwMS had higher T1/T2 ratio in both GP regions, which correlated with EDSS score (r = 0.26-0.39, p = 0.01-0.05). RS FC analysis highlighted component-specific functional alterations in pwMS: the GPe had decreased RS FC with fronto-parietal cortices, whereas the GPi had decreased intra-GP RS FC and increased RS FC with the thalamus. Worse EDSS, 9HPT, T25FW and PASAT scores were associated with GP RS FC modifications (r=-0.51‒0.51, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Structural GP involvement in MS was homogeneous across its portions. Increased T1/T2 ratio values, possibly representing iron accumulation, were related to more severe disability. RS FC alterations of the GPe and GPi were consistent with their roles within the basal ganglia network and correlated with worse functional status, suggesting less efficient communication between structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Romanò
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Valsasina
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Pagani
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice De Simone
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Emma Parolin
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Neurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria A Rocca
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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Fang M, Huang H, Yang J, Zhang S, Wu Y, Huang CC. Changes in microstructural similarity of hippocampal subfield circuits in pathological cognitive aging. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:311-321. [PMID: 38147082 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02721-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
The hippocampal networks support multiple cognitive functions and may have biological roles and functions in pathological cognitive aging (PCA) and its associated diseases, which have not been explored. In the current study, a total of 116 older adults with 39 normal controls (NC) (mean age: 52.3 ± 13.64 years; 16 females), 39 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (mean age: 68.15 ± 9.28 years, 14 females), and 38 dementia (mean age: 73.82 ± 8.06 years, 8 females) were included. The within-hippocampal subfields and the cortico-hippocampal circuits were assessed via a micro-structural similarity network approach using T1w/T2w ratio and regional gray matter tissue probability maps, respectively. An analysis of covariance was conducted to identify between-group differences in structural similarities among hippocampal subfields. The partial correlation analyses were performed to associate changes in micro-structural similarities with cognitive performance in the three groups, controlling the effect of age, sex, education, and cerebral small-vessel disease. Compared with the NC, an altered T1w/T2w ratio similarity between left CA3 and left subiculum was observed in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. The left CA3 was the most impaired region correlated with deteriorated cognitive performance. Using these regions as seeds for GM similarity comparisons between hippocampal subfields and cortical regions, group differences were observed primarily between the left subiculum and several cortical regions. By utilizing T1w/T2w ratio as a proxy measure for myelin content, our data suggest that the imbalanced synaptic weights within hippocampal CA3 provide a substrate to explain the abnormal firing characteristics of hippocampal neurons in PCA. Furthermore, our work depicts specific brain structural characteristics of normal and pathological cognitive aging and suggests a potential mechanism for cognitive aging heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Fang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanghuang Huang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuying Zhang
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujie Wu
- Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chu-Chung Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (Ministry of Education), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
- Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China.
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Boaventura M, Sastre-Garriga J, Rimkus CDM, Rovira À, Pareto D. T1/T2-weighted ratio: A feasible MRI biomarker in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2024; 30:283-291. [PMID: 38389172 DOI: 10.1177/13524585241233448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
T1/T2-weighted ratio is a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarker based on conventional sequences, related to microstructural integrity and with increasing use in multiple sclerosis (MS) research. Different from other advanced MRI techniques, this method has the advantage of being based on routinely acquired MRI sequences, a feature that enables analysis of retrospective cohorts with considerable clinical value. This article provides an overview of this method, describing the previous cross-sectional and longitudinal findings in the main MS clinical phenotypes and in different brain tissues: focal white matter (WM) lesions, normal-appearing white matter (NAWM), cortical gray matter (GM), and deep normal-appearing gray matter (NAGM). We also discuss the clinical associations, possible reasons for conflicting results, correlations with other MRI-based measures, and histopathological associations. We highlight the limitations of the biomarker itself and the methodology of each study. Finally, we update the reader on its potential use as an imaging biomarker in research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaume Sastre-Garriga
- Department of Neurology-Neuroimmunology, Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia (Cemcat), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Àlex Rovira
- Section of Neuroradiology. Department of Radiology (IDI). Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Deborah Pareto
- Section of Neuroradiology. Department of Radiology (IDI). Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
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Colato E, Prados F, Stutters J, Bianchi A, Narayanan S, Arnold DL, Wheeler-Kingshott C, Barkhof F, Ciccarelli O, Chard DT, Eshaghi A. Networks of microstructural damage predict disability in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:992-1003. [PMID: 37468305 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Network-based measures are emerging MRI markers in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to identify networks of white (WM) and grey matter (GM) damage that predict disability progression and cognitive worsening using data-driven methods. METHODS We analysed data from 1836 participants with different MS phenotypes (843 in a discovery cohort and 842 in a replication cohort). We calculated standardised T1-weighted/T2-weighted (sT1w/T2w) ratio maps in brain GM and WM, and applied spatial independent component analysis to identify networks of covarying microstructural damage. Clinical outcomes were Expanded Disability Status Scale worsening confirmed at 24 weeks (24-week confirmed disability progression (CDP)) and time to cognitive worsening assessed by the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). We used Cox proportional hazard models to calculate predictive value of network measures. RESULTS We identified 8 WM and 7 GM sT1w/T2w networks (of regional covariation in sT1w/T2w measures) in both cohorts. Network loading represents the degree of covariation in regional T1/T2 ratio within a given network. The loading factor in the anterior corona radiata and temporo-parieto-frontal components were associated with higher risks of developing CDP both in the discovery (HR=0.85, p<0.05 and HR=0.83, p<0.05, respectively) and replication cohorts (HR=0.84, p<0.05 and HR=0.80, p<0.005, respectively). The decreasing or increasing loading factor in the arcuate fasciculus, corpus callosum, deep GM, cortico-cerebellar patterns and lesion load were associated with a higher risk of developing SDMT worsening both in the discovery (HR=0.82, p<0.01; HR=0.87, p<0.05; HR=0.75, p<0.001; HR=0.86, p<0.05 and HR=1.27, p<0.0001) and replication cohorts (HR=0.82, p<0.005; HR=0.73, p<0.0001; HR=0.80, p<0.005; HR=0.85, p<0.01 and HR=1.26, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS GM and WM networks of microstructural changes predict disability and cognitive worsening in MS. Our approach may be used to identify patients at greater risk of disability worsening and stratify cohorts in treatment trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Colato
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ferran Prados
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
- e-Health Center, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jonathan Stutters
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alessia Bianchi
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sridar Narayanan
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Douglas L Arnold
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Claudia Wheeler-Kingshott
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Brain Connectivity Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Institute for Health Research (NIHR), University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), London, UK
| | - Olga Ciccarelli
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Institute for Health Research (NIHR), University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), London, UK
| | - Declan T Chard
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Institute for Health Research (NIHR), University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), London, UK
| | - Arman Eshaghi
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
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Rocca MA, Margoni M, Battaglini M, Eshaghi A, Iliff J, Pagani E, Preziosa P, Storelli L, Taoka T, Valsasina P, Filippi M. Emerging Perspectives on MRI Application in Multiple Sclerosis: Moving from Pathophysiology to Clinical Practice. Radiology 2023; 307:e221512. [PMID: 37278626 PMCID: PMC10315528 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.221512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
MRI plays a central role in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and in the monitoring of disease course and treatment response. Advanced MRI techniques have shed light on MS biology and facilitated the search for neuroimaging markers that may be applicable in clinical practice. MRI has led to improvements in the accuracy of MS diagnosis and a deeper understanding of disease progression. This has also resulted in a plethora of potential MRI markers, the importance and validity of which remain to be proven. Here, five recent emerging perspectives arising from the use of MRI in MS, from pathophysiology to clinical application, will be discussed. These are the feasibility of noninvasive MRI-based approaches to measure glymphatic function and its impairment; T1-weighted to T2-weighted intensity ratio to quantify myelin content; classification of MS phenotypes based on their MRI features rather than on their clinical features; clinical relevance of gray matter atrophy versus white matter atrophy; and time-varying versus static resting-state functional connectivity in evaluating brain functional organization. These topics are critically discussed, which may guide future applications in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Assunta Rocca
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
| | - Monica Margoni
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
| | - Marco Battaglini
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
| | - Arman Eshaghi
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
| | - Jeffrey Iliff
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
| | - Elisabetta Pagani
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
| | - Paolo Preziosa
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
| | - Loredana Storelli
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
| | - Toshiaki Taoka
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
| | - Paola Valsasina
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
| | - Massimo Filippi
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience
(M.A.R., M.M., E.P., P.P., L.S., P.V., M.F.), Neurology Unit (M.A.R., M.M.,
P.P., M.F.), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service
(M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan,
Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (M.A.R., P.P., M.F.);
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena,
Italy (M.B.); Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of
Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain
Sciences, University College London, London, UK (A.E.); Centre for Medical Image
Computing, Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
(A.E.); VISN20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA
Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology, University of Washington
School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash (J.I.); and Department of Innovative
Biomedical Visualization (iBMV), Department of Radiology, Nagoya University
Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan (T.T.)
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9
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Margoni M, Pagani E, Preziosa P, Gueye M, Azzimonti M, Rocca MA, Filippi M. Unraveling the heterogeneous pathological substrates of relapse-onset multiple sclerosis: a multiparametric voxel-wise 3 T MRI study. J Neurol 2023:10.1007/s00415-023-11736-9. [PMID: 37093395 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11736-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In multiple sclerosis (MS), pathological processes affecting brain gray (GM) and white matter (WM) are heterogeneous. OBJECTIVE To apply a multimodal MRI approach to investigate the regional distribution of the different pathological processes occurring in the brain WM and GM of relapse-onset MS patients. METHODS Fifty-seven MS patients (forty-two relapsing remitting [RR], fifteen secondary progressive [SP]) and forty-seven age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) underwent a multimodal 3 T MRI acquisition. Between-group voxel-wise differences of brain WM and GM volumes, magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), T1-weighted(w)/T2w ratio, intracellular volume fraction (ICV_f), and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) maps were investigated. RESULTS Compared to HC, RRMS showed significant WM, deep GM and cortical atrophy, significantly lower MTR and T1w/T2w ratio of periventricular and infratentorial WM, deep GM and several cortical areas, lower ICV_f in supratentorial and cerebellar WM and in some cortical areas, and lower QSM values in bilateral periventricular WM (p < 0.001). Compared to RRMS, SPMS patients showed significant deep GM and widespread cortical atrophy, significantly lower MTR of periventricular WM, deep GM and cerebellum, lower T1w/T2w ratio of fronto-temporal WM regions, lower ICV_f of some fronto-tempo-occipital WM and cortical areas. They also had increased QSM and T1w/T2w ratio in the pallidum, bilaterally (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION A periventricular pattern of demyelination and widespread GM and WM neuro-axonal loss are detectable in RRMS and are more severe in SPMS. Higher T1w/T2w ratio and QSM in the pallidum, possibly reflecting iron accumulation and neurodegeneration, may represent a relevant MRI marker to differentiate SPMS from RRMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Margoni
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Pagani
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Preziosa
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Mor Gueye
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Azzimonti
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria A Rocca
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
- Neurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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10
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Wenzel N, Wittayer M, Weber CE, Platten M, Gass A, Eisele P. Multiple sclerosis iron rim lesions are linked to impaired cervical spinal cord integrity using the T1/T2-weighted ratio. J Neuroimaging 2023; 33:240-246. [PMID: 36504270 DOI: 10.1111/jon.13076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In multiple sclerosis (MS), iron rim lesions (IRLs) are characterized by pronounced tissue matrix damage. The T1/T2-weighted (T1/T2w) ratio represents a postprocessing MRI approach to investigate tissue integrity, but studies investigating spinal cord pathology are missing until now. The aim of this study was to characterize tissue integrity using the T1/T2w ratio in lesions and the normal-appearing white and gray matter (NAWM, NAGM) in the spinal cord and brain in MS patients with and without brain IRLs. METHODS Forty MS patients (20 patients with at least one brain IRL and 20 age- and sex-matched patients without IRLs) were included. Normalized cross-sectional area (nCSA) of the upper cervical cord was calculated in addition to T1/T2w values and standard brain and spinal cord MRI parameters. RESULTS Patients with IRLs had higher disability scores, a smaller nCSA, and a higher cervical T2 lesion volume. T1/T2w values of brain IRLs were significantly lower compared to non-IRLs (p < .001). Furthermore, T1/T2w values of lesions were significantly lower compared to the NAGM and NAWM, both in the brain and the spinal cord (p < .05 for all comparisons). T1/T2w values of the NAGM and NAWM in the brain and spinal cord did not statistically differ between the IRL group and the non-IRL group. CONCLUSION IRLs constitute an imaging marker of disease severity. T1/T2w ratio maps represent an interesting technique to capture diffuse tissue properties. Calculation of T1/T2w ratio maps of the spinal cord might provide additional insights into the pathophysiological processes of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Wenzel
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Matthias Wittayer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudia E Weber
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael Platten
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,DKTK CCU Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Achim Gass
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Philipp Eisele
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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11
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Wittayer M, Weber CE, Krämer J, Platten M, Schirmer L, Gass A, Eisele P. Exploring (peri-) lesional and structural connectivity tissue damage through T1/T2-weighted ratio in iron rim multiple sclerosis lesions. Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 95:12-18. [PMID: 36270415 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In multiple sclerosis (MS), iron rim lesions (IRLs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with pronounced intralesional tissue damage. The aim of this study was to investigate (peri-)lesional and structural connectivity tissue damage in IRLs compared to non-IRLs. MATERIAL AND METHODS MRI was acquired on a 3 T system. Tissue integrity was assessed using the T1/T2-weighted (T1/T2w) ratio. Furthermore, we assessed the impact on structural network connectivity accounting for differences in lesion volumes and T1/T2w values. RESULTS Seventy-six patients (38 with at least one IRL and 38 age- and sex-matched patients without IRLs) were included. In the IRL-group, T1/T2w ratios of IRLs were significantly lower compared to non-IRLs (p < 0.05). When comparing the T1/T2w ratios in non-IRLs between the IRL-group and non-IRL group, there was no significant difference (p = 0.887). We observed a centrifugal decrease in microstructural damage from lesions to the perilesional white matter. In the IRL-group, T1/T2w ratios in the perilesional white matter 3-8 mm distant to the lesion were significantly lower in IRLs compared to non-IRLs. We found no significant differences in the amount of network disruption between both lesion types (p = 0.122). CONCLUSION T1/T2w represents an interesting candidate to capture a pronounced intra- and perilesional tissue damage of IRLs. However, our preliminary results suggest that a pronounced tissue damage might not result in a higher disruption to structural connectivity networks in IRLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Wittayer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1 - 3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudia E Weber
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1 - 3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Julia Krämer
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1; Gebäude A1, Westturm, Ebene 5, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Platten
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1 - 3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; German Consortium of Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lucas Schirmer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1 - 3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; Institute for Innate Immunoscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Achim Gass
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1 - 3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Philipp Eisele
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1 - 3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
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12
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Fernandez-Alvarez M, Atienza M, Cantero JL. Effects of non-modifiable risk factors of Alzheimer's disease on intracortical myelin content. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:202. [PMID: 36587227 PMCID: PMC9805254 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01152-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-modifiable risk factors of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have lifelong effects on cortical integrity that could be mitigated if identified at early stages. However, it remains unknown whether cortical microstructure is affected in older individuals with non-modifiable AD risk factors and whether altered cortical tissue integrity produces abnormalities in brain functional networks in this AD-risk population. METHODS Using relative T1w/T2w (rT1w/T2w) ratio maps, we have compared tissue integrity of normal-appearing cortical GM between controls and cognitively normal older adults with either APOE4 (N = 50), with a first-degree family history (FH) of AD (N = 52), or with the co-occurrence of both AD risk factors (APOE4+FH) (N = 35). Additionally, individuals with only one risk factor (APOE4 or FH) were combined into one group (N = 102) and compared with controls. The same number of controls matched in age, sex, and years of education was employed for each of these comparisons. Group differences in resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC) patterns were also investigated, using as FC seeds those cortical regions showing significant changes in rT1w/T2w ratios. RESULTS Overall, individuals with non-modifiable AD risk factors exhibited significant variations in rT1w/T2w ratios compared to controls, being APOE4 and APOE4+FH at opposite ends of a continuum. The co-occurrence of APOE4 and FH was further accompanied by altered patterns of rs-FC. CONCLUSIONS These findings may have practical implications for early detection of cortical abnormalities in older populations with APOE4 and/or FH of AD and open new avenues to monitor changes in cortical tissue integrity associated with non-modifiable AD risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Fernandez-Alvarez
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Laboratory of Functional Neuroscience, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera Km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain ,grid.418264.d0000 0004 1762 4012CIBERNED, Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Atienza
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Laboratory of Functional Neuroscience, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera Km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain ,grid.418264.d0000 0004 1762 4012CIBERNED, Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose L. Cantero
- grid.15449.3d0000 0001 2200 2355Laboratory of Functional Neuroscience, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera Km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain ,grid.418264.d0000 0004 1762 4012CIBERNED, Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Madrid, Spain
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13
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Strain JF, Cooley SA, Tomov D, Boerwinkle A, Ances BM. Abnormal Magnetic Resonance Image Signature in Virologically Stable HIV Individuals. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:2161-2169. [PMID: 36281565 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With implementation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), changes to brain integrity in people with HIV (PWH) are subtle compared to those observed in the pre-cART era. T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) ratio has been proposed as a measure of cortical myelin. This study examines T1w/T2w values between virologically controlled PWH and persons without HIV (PWoH). METHODS Virologically well-controlled PWH (n = 164) and PWoH (n = 120) were compared on global and regional T1w/T2w values. T1w/T2w values were associated with HIV disease variables (nadir and current CD4 T-cell count, and CNS penetration effectiveness of cART regimen) in PWH, and as a function of age for both PWoH and PWH. RESULTS PWH had reduced global and regional T1w/T2w values compared to PWoH in the posterior cingulate cortex, caudal anterior cingulate cortex, and insula. T1w/T2w values did not correlate with HIV variables except for a negative relationship with CNS penetration effectiveness. Greater cardiovascular disease risk and older age were associated with lower T1w/T2w values only for PWH. CONCLUSIONS T1w/T2w values obtained from commonly acquired MRI protocols differentiates virologically well-controlled PWH from PWoH. Changes in T1w/T2w ratio do not correlate with typical HIV measures. Future studies are needed to determine the biological mechanisms underlying this measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy F Strain
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sarah A Cooley
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Dimitre Tomov
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Anna Boerwinkle
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Beau M Ances
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
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Correlation of T1- to T2-weighted signal intensity ratio with T1- and T2-relaxation time and IDH mutation status in glioma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18801. [PMID: 36335158 PMCID: PMC9637175 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23527-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to test whether the ratio of T1-weighted to T2-weighted signal intensity (T1W/T2W ratio: rT1/T2) derived from conventional MRI could act as a surrogate relaxation time predictive of IDH mutation status in histologically lower-grade gliomas. Strong exponential correlations were found between rT1/T2 and each of T1- and T2-relaxation times in eight subjects (rT1/T2 = 1.63exp-0.0005T1-relax + 0.30 and rT1/T2 = 1.27exp-0.0081T2-relax + 0.48; R2 = 0.64 and 0.59, respectively). In a test cohort of 25 patients, mean rT1/T2 (mrT1/T2) was significantly higher in IDHwt tumors than in IDHmt tumors (p < 0.05) and the optimal cut-off of mrT1/T2 for discriminating IDHmt was 0.666-0.677, (AUC = 0.75, p < 0.05), which was validated in an external domestic cohort of 29 patients (AUC = 0.75, p = 0.02). However, this result was not validated in an external international cohort derived from TCIA/TCGA (AUC = 0.63, p = 0.08). The t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding analysis revealed a greater diversity in image characteristics within the TCIA/TCGA cohort than in the two domestic cohorts. The failure of external validation in the TCIA/TCGA cohort could be attributed to its wider variety of original imaging characteristics.
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Cappelle S, Pareto D, Sunaert S, Smets I, Laenen A, Dubois B, Demaerel P. T1w/FLAIR ratio standardization as a myelin marker in MS patients. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 36:103248. [PMID: 36451354 PMCID: PMC9668645 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Calculation of a T1w/T2w ratio was introduced as a proxy for myelin integrity in the brain of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Since nowadays 3D FLAIR is commonly used for lesion detection instead of T2w images, we introduce a T1w/FLAIR ratio as an alternative for the T1w/T2w ratio. OBJECTIVES Bias and intensity variation are widely present between different scanners, between subjects and within subjects over time in T1w, T2w and FLAIR images. We present a standardized method for calculating a histogram calibrated T1w/FLAIR ratio to reduce bias and intensity variation in MR sequences from different scanners and at different time-points. MATERIAL AND METHODS 207 Relapsing Remitting MS patients were scanned on 4 different 3 T scanners with a protocol including 3D T1w, 2D T2w and 3D FLAIR images. After bias correction, T1w/FLAIR ratio maps and T1w/T2w ratio maps were calculated in 4 different ways: without calibration, with linear histogram calibration as described by Ganzetti et al. (2014), and by using 2 methods of non-linear histogram calibration. The first nonlinear calibration uses a template of extra-cerebral tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) brought from Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space to subject space; for the second nonlinear method we used an extra-cerebral tissue and CSF template of our own subjects. Additionally, we segmented several brain structures such as Normal Appearing White Matter (NAWM), Normal Appearing Grey Matter (NAGM), corpus callosum, thalami and MS lesions using Freesurfer and Samseg. RESULTS The coefficient of variation of T1w/FLAIR ratio in NAWM for the no calibrated, linear, and 2 nonlinear calibration methods were respectively 24, 19.1, 9.5, 13.8. The nonlinear methods of calibration showed the best results for calculating the T1w/FLAIR ratio with a smaller dispersion of the data and a smaller overlap of T1w/FLAIR ratio in the different segmented brain structures. T1w/T2w and T1w/FLAIR ratios showed a wider range of values compared to MTR values. CONCLUSIONS Calibration of T1w/T2w and T1w/FLAIR ratio maps is imperative to account for the sources of variation described above. The nonlinear calibration methods showed the best reduction of between-subject and within-subject variability. The T1w/T2w and T1w/FLAIR ratio seem to be more sensitive to smaller changes in tissue integrity than MTR. Future work is needed to determine the exact substrate of T1w/FLAIR ratio and to obtain correlations with clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Cappelle
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Corresponding author
| | - D. Pareto
- Department of Radiology (IDI), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S. Sunaert
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Department of Imaging & Pathology, Translational MRI, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - I. Smets
- Laboratory for Neuroimmunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A. Laenen
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, KU Leuven and Hasselt University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - B. Dubois
- Laboratory for Neuroimmunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ph. Demaerel
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Department of Imaging & Pathology, Translational MRI, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Ponticorvo S, Manara R, Russillo MC, Andreozzi V, Forino L, Erro R, Picillo M, Amboni M, Cuoco S, Di Salle G, Di Salle F, Barone P, Esposito F, Pellecchia MT. Combined regional T1w/T2w ratio and voxel-based morphometry in multiple system atrophy: A follow-up study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1017311. [PMID: 36341112 PMCID: PMC9626981 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1017311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several MRI techniques have become available to support the early diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA), but few longitudinal studies on both MSA variants have been performed, and there are no established MRI markers of disease progression. We aimed to characterize longitudinal brain changes in 26 patients with MSA (14 MSA-P and 12 MSA-C) over a 1-year follow-up period in terms of local tissue density and T1w/T2w ratio in a-priori regions, namely, bilateral putamen, cerebellar gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and substantia nigra (SN). A significant GM density decrease was found in cerebellum and left putamen in the entire group (10.7 and 33.1% variation, respectively) and both MSA subtypes (MSA-C: 15.4 and 33.0% variation; MSA-P: 7.7 and 33.2%) and in right putamen in the entire group (19.8% variation) and patients with MSA-C (20.9% variation). A WM density decrease was found in the entire group (9.3% variation) and both subtypes in cerebellum-brainstem (MSA-C: 18.0% variation; MSA-P: 5% variation). The T1w/T2w ratio increase was found in the cerebellar and left putamen GM (6.6 and 24.9% variation), while a significant T1w/T2w ratio decrease was detected in SN in the entire MSA group (31% variation). We found a more progressive atrophy of the cerebellum in MSA-C with a similar progression of putaminal atrophy in the two variants. T1w/T2w ratio can be further studied as a potential marker of disease progression, possibly reflecting decreased neuronal density or iron accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ponticorvo
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
- *Correspondence: Sara Ponticorvo ;
| | - Renzo Manara
- Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Claudia Russillo
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Valentina Andreozzi
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Forino
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Roberto Erro
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Marina Picillo
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Marianna Amboni
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Sofia Cuoco
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Di Salle
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Paolo Barone
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Esposito
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Pellecchia
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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