The signal intensity variation of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential biomarker for patients' disability: A feasibility study

Impact of dance classes on motor and cognitive functions and gut microbiota composition in multiple sclerosis patients: Randomized controlled trial

Evidence suggests that multiple sclerosis (MS) induces a decline in motor and cognitive function and provokes a shift in gut microbiome composition in patients. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the effect of dance classes on the motor and cognitive functions and gut microbiota composition of MS patients. In this randomized controlled trial, 36 patients were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 18) and the passive control group (n = 18). Supervised rock and roll and sports dance classes were performed for 12 weeks at a frequency of two times a week. Before and after the intervention, fecal samples were taken and the motor and cognitive function assessments were completed. Fecal microbiota were categorized using primers targeting the V3-V4 region of 16S rDNA. Our results revealed significant differences in mobility performance (T25-FWT), attention and working memory (TMT B), and finger dexterity (9-HPT) within the experimental group. Furthermore, we reported favorable shifts in gut microbial communities (an increase in Blautia stercoris and a decrease in Ruminococcus torques) within the experimental group. In conclusion, our randomized control trial on the effects of 12-week dance classes in MS patients found significant improvements in motor and cognitive functions, with further moderate influence on gut microbiota composition.

Association of vulnerable plaques with white matter hyperintensities on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging

Background

One of the widespread manifestations of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) of the brain parenchyma is white matter lesion, which appears as white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Previous studies have illustrated that large artery atherosclerosis is related to CSVD, but the precise progress of pathogenesis remains unknown. High-resolution MRI (HR-MRI) has the ability to delineate intracranial vascular walls, enabling a thorough exploration of the structure and composition of unstable plaques. This study aimed to apply HR-MRI to characterize the wall changes and plaque characteristics of middle cerebral arteries in patients with WMHs and to investigate the correlation between plaque vulnerability parameters and different degrees of WMHs.

Methods

In this study, 138 patients with acute ischemic stroke at Harbin Medical University's First Clinical Hospital (May 2021 to October 2023) were cross-sectionally reviewed and underwent conventional brain and HR-MRI using T1-weighted 3D volumetric isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition (T1W-3D-VISTA) of the unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA). According to Fazekas grade (0-6), the patients were divided into two groups: Fazekas score 0-2, no-or-mild WMHs; and Fazekas 3-6, moderate-to-severe WMHs. The intraplaque hemorrhage, plaque distribution, plaque enhancement, plaque load, remodeling pattern, and stenosis of the two groups were measured. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between vulnerable plaques and WMHs.

Results

Of the participants who were initially considered for inclusion, 71 were deemed eligible, among whom 34 were placed in the no-or-mild WMH group and 37 in the moderate-to-severe WMH group. Between the two groups, there were significant differences in intraplaque hemorrhage (P=0.01), a wide distribution (P=0.02), and plaque enhancement (P=0.02). Univariate analysis showed that WMHs were associated with age [odds ratio (OR) =1.080; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.020-1.144; P=0.008], hypertension (OR =3.500; 95% CI: 1.276-9.597; P=0.01), intraplaque hemorrhage (OR =3.955; 95% CI: 1.247-12.538; P=0.02), a wide distribution (OR =3.067; 95% CI: 1.159-8.115; P=0.02), and significant plaque enhancement (OR =4.372; 95% CI: 1.101-17.358; P=0.03); however, the multivariate results showed that the only independent factors associated with WMHs were age (OR =1.095; 95% CI: 1.019-1.176; P=0.01) and intraplaque hemorrhage (OR =5.88; 95% CI: 1.466-23.592; P=0.01).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that age and intraplaque hemorrhage may be associated with more severe WMHs in patients with acute ischemic stroke, which may be helpful for further clinical examination and intervention treatment.

Retrospectively gated ultrashort-echo-time MRI T1 mapping reveals compromised pulmonary microvascular NO-dependent function in a murine model of acute lung injury

This study sought to develop noninvasive, in vivo imaging schemes that allow for quantitative assessment of pulmonary microvascular functional status based on the combination of pulmonary T1 mapping and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DynCE) imaging. Ultrashort-echo-time (UTE) imaging at 9.4 T of lung parenchyma was performed. Retrospective gating was based on modulation of the first point in each recorded spoke. T1 maps were obtained using a series of five consecutive images with varying RF angles and analyzed with the variable flip angle approach. The obtained mean T1 lung value of 1078 ± 38 ms correlated well with previous reports. Improved intersession variability was observed, as evident from a decreased standard deviation of motion-resolved T1 mapping (F-test = 0.051). Animals received lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and were imaged at t = 2, 6, and 12 h after administration. The nitric oxide (NO)-dependent function was assessed according to changes in lung T1 after L-NAME injection, while microvascular perfusion and oxidant stress were assessed with contrast-enhanced imaging after injection of gadolinium or 3-carbamoyl-proxyl nitroxide radical, respectively. Retrospectivel gated UTE allowed robust, motion-compensated imaging that could be used for T1 mapping of lung parenchyma. Changes in lung T1 after L-NAME injection indicated that LPS induced overproduction of NO at t = 2 and 6 h after LPS, but NO-dependent microvascular function was impaired at t = 12 h after LPS. DynCE imaging at t = 6 h after LPS injection revealed decreased microvascular perfusion, with increased vascular permeability and oxidant stress. MRI allows to visualize and quantify lung microvascular NO-dependent function and its concomitant impairment during acute respiratory distress syndrome development with high sensitivity. UTE T1 mapping appears to be sensitive and useful in probing pulmonary microvascular functional status.

Bibliometric analysis of myelin imaging studies of patients with multiple sclerosis (2000-2022)

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can impact the central nervous system (CNS) and cause damage to the myelin, which is responsible for facilitating the normal transmission of electrical impulses along the nerves. We performed a bibliometric analysis of the scientific publications on myelin imaging in MS to reveal the development trends in this field and to evaluate research trends in myelin imaging in MS.

Methods

The Web of Science Core Collection was searched for articles related to myelin imaging in MS published between January 2000 and December 2022. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and R language were used to evaluate and visualize contributions by and co-occurrence relationships among countries and institutions, authors, journals, citations, keywords, and so on.

Results

A total of 1,639 articles addressed the topic of myelin imaging in MS. The United States had the largest number of annual publications. The University of London was the institution with the highest number of publications (n=118) and citations (n=9,885). The top 3 productive authors were all from the University of British Columbia in Canada. An article published by Mackay et al. in 1994 had the most citations (n=272). Neuroimage [impact factor (IF) =7.40, Journal Citation Reports quartile 1 (Q1)] was the most productive journal in terms of the number of articles relating to myelin imaging in MS (n=149). In recent years, myelin water imaging, synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI), inhomogeneous magnetization, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) have been researched hotspots of myelin imaging in MS.

Conclusions

With advancements in the pathophysiological research on myelin changes in MS, myelin imaging is playing an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of MS. In addition, the use of new sequences of myelin imaging to distinguish MS from other inflammatory demyelinating diseases is a future development trend in this field.