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Abstract #3248

Normal-Appearing White Matter Quantitative Magnetization Transfer Imaging Correlates with Disability in Multiple Sclerosis

Barbara Basile1,2, Mara Cercignani3, Fabrizio Fasano3, Ugo Nocentini4, Carlo Caltagirone4,5, Marco Bozzali3

1Neuroimaging Laboratory , Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy, Italy; 2School of Cognitive Psychotherapy, Rome, Italy, Italy; 3Neuroimaging Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy, Italy; 4Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy, Italy; 5Department of Neuroscience, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, Italy


Quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) probes the MR properties of protons in macromolecules such as myelin. A clinically feasible whole-brain qMT protocol was implemented in order to investigate the different pathological substrates of normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and lesions in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and to assess whether qMT parameters may explain MS patients clinical disability. Results showed significant differences across healthy and damaged tissues in qMT values. Consistently with our predictions, clinical disability was explained by specific qMTIparameters in both NAWM and lesions.