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Abstract #4075

Normal Appearing White Matter Myelin Water Fraction Distribution Analysis in Multiple Sclerosis

Hagen H. Kitzler1,2, Frank M. Noack1, Jason Su3, Michael Zeineh3, Cyndi Harper-Little2, Andy Leung4, Marcelo Kremenchutzky5, Ruediger von Kummer1, Sean Deoni6, Brian K. Rutt3

1Neuroradiology, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, SN, Germany; 2Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; 3Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States; 4Department of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; 5Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; 6Department of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States


Multi-component Driven Equilibrium Single Pulse Observation of T1 and T2 (mcDESPOT) allows quantifying brain white matter (WM) myelination by means of myelin water fraction (MWF) measure. Distribution characteristics of MWF add relevant information to understanding of subtle myelination change in normal appearing WM (NAWM) in MS. Myelination distribution was abnormal in NAWM in the studied cohort. We found unique averaged probability distribution of MWF in different MS subgroups. Non-progressive and progressive MS courses could be significantly distinguished by MWF peak location and kurtosis. We found significant correlations for MWF peak location with a MS disability score and duration of disease.