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Abstract #2714

Atrophy and diffusion tensor MRI metrics of brain fiber bundles. Application to primary progressive multiple sclerosis patients

Filippi M, Rovaris M, Comi G, Judica E, Benedetti B, Pagani E
Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele

In this study, we wished to investigate the pathological status of the pyramidal tract (PYT) and the corpus callosum (CC) in primary progressive (PP) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. To this aim, an index of atrophy and DT derived metrics were obtained within the PYT and the CC. We studied 47 PPMS and 16 healthy volunteers. A positive correlation was found between the lesion load and the MD in the PYT and CC; this correlation was only weak with the index of atrophy. Compared to patients without clinical disability progression, those who progressed had significantly higher atrophy (p=0.009) of the CC.