Diffusion tensor imaging findings in the multiple sclerosis patients and their relationships to various aspects of disability

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences Vol. 391; pp. 127 - 133
• Main Authors: Pokryszko-Dragan, A., Banaszek, A., Nowakowska-Kotas, M., Jeżowska-Jurczyk, K., Dziadkowiak, E., Gruszka, E., Zagrajek, M., Bilińska, M., Budrewicz, S., Sąsiadek, M., Bladowska, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.08.2018
• Subjects: Adult; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Cerebellum; Cognition; Corpus callosum; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Disability; Disability Evaluation; Fatigue; Female; Hand - physiopathology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Skills; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - diagnostic imaging; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - physiopathology; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - psychology; Thalamus; Young Adult; Disability; Cerebellum; Multiple sclerosis; Fatigue; Thalamus; Cognition; Corpus callosum; Diffusion tensor imaging
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2018.06.007

The aim of the study was to assess microstructural changes within strategic brain regions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), with regard to various aspects of disability. The study comprised 50 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (37 women, 13 men, mean age 36.4 yrs) and 27 age- and sex-matched controls. Using DTI, fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were obtained within corpus callosum (CC), both thalami (TH) and middle cerebellar peduncles (MCP). Disability was assessed using Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), MS Functional Composite (MSFC), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). DTI indices were compared between the patients and controls and in the MS group - referred to disability measures. Significant decrease in FA and increase in ADC within CC and both TH were found in MS patients compared to the controls. DTI indices within CC and TH correlated significantly with SDMT score, and within TH and MCP - with MSFC manual dexterity measure. Changes in DTI measures in normal appearing white and grey matter in the MS patients indicate subtle alterations of the tissue integrity. An occult damage to the strategic brain regions may contribute to various aspects of disability due to MS. •DTI shows subtle abnormalities in white and grey matter in multiple sclerosis patients.•DTI indices correlate with measures of manual dexterity and cognition.•An occult damage to the strategic areas of the brain may contribute to disability.