Abstract #0216

Using myelin water and diffusion basis spectrum imaging to differentiate demyelination, inflammation, oedema and axonal damage in subjects with multiple sclerosis

Irene Margaret Vavasour¹, Peng Sun², Shannon H Kolind^1,3, David KB Li¹, Alex L MacKay^1,4, Sheng-Kwei Song², Robert Carruthers³, and Anthony L Traboulsee³

¹Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, ²Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States, ³Medicine (Neurology), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, ⁴Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

This study compared myelin water fraction (MWF), intra/extracellular water geometric mean T₂ (ieGMT₂) and diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI)-derived measures in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and normal appearing white matter. 14 MS subjects were scanned with 48-echo T₂ relaxation and DBSI sequences. Significant correlations were found for MWF vs radial diffusivity, MWF vs fiber fraction, and ieGMT₂ vs restricted fraction. Lesions showed changes consistent with decreased myelin and axons. Enhancing lesions also showed increased oedema. By quantitatively distinguishing and tracking inflammation, axon and myelin injury, DBSI and myelin water imaging can inform us of the pathological processes involved in MS.

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