Correlation between functional MRI techniques and early disability in ambulatory patients with relapsing–remitting MS

Abstract

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disorder which can lead to an occasional damage to the central nervous system. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) is an important modality in the diagnosis of MS; however, correlation between cMRI findings and clinical impairment is weak. Non-conventional MRI techniques including apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) investigate the metabolic changes over the course of MS and overcome the limits of cMRI. A total of 80 patients with MS and 20 age and sex-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Ambulatory patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) were recruited. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used to assess the disability and the patients were categorized into three groups “no disability”, “minimal disability” and “moderate disability”. All patients underwent cMRI techniques. ADC was measured in MS plaques and in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) adjacent and around the plaque. All metabolites concentrations were expressed as ratios including N-acetyl-aspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr), choline/N-acetyl-aspartate (Cho/NAA) and choline/creatine (Cho/Cr). ADC and metabolite concentrations were measured in the normal white matter of 20 healthy control subjects. Results The study was carried on 80 MS patients [36 males (45%) and 44 females (55%)] and 20 healthy control [8 males (40%) and 12 females (60%)]. The ADC values and MRS parameters in NAWM of patients with MS were significantly different from those of the control group. The number of the plaques on T2 images and black holes were significantly higher at “Minimal disability” group. Most of the enhanced plaques were at the “Moderate disability” group with P value < 0.001. The mean of ADC in the group 1, 2 and 3 of disability was 1.12 ± 0.19, 1.50 ± 0.35, 1.51 ± 0.36, respectively, with P value < 0. 001. In the group 1, 2 and 3 of disability, the mean of NAA/Cr ratio at the plaque was 1.34 ± 0.44, 1.59 ± 0.51 and 1.11 ± 0.15, respectively, with P value equal 0.001. Conclusion The non-conventional quantitative MRI techniques are useful tools for detection of early disability in MS patients.