Istvan Pirko1, Aaron J. Johnson2, Anne K. Lohrey2, Jun Ying3, Diana Lindquist4, R. Scott Dunn4
1Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA; 2Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, USA; 3Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Cincinnati, USA; 4Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Advanced MRI studies have demonstrated a variety of non-lesional pathology in MS. T2 weighted scans of deep gray matter nuclei often reveal hypointensity, which has been shown to correlate with cognitive, neuropsychiatric and motor dysfunction. In this abstract we demonstrate the first MS model of deep gray matter T2 hypointensity. In a TMEV induced MS model in SJL/J mice, gradual development of thalamic T2 hypointensity was observed. Quantitative intensity analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between the degree of hypointensity and disability. This novel model will allow us to study the pathogenesis and significance of deep gray T2 hypointensity in MS.