Longitudinal Changes in Diffusion Properties in the White Matter Pathways in Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Fiona M. Baumer¹, Jae W. Song¹, Paul D. Michell¹, Rudolph Pienaar¹, Mustafa Sahin¹, Patricia Ellen Grant², Emi Takahashi¹

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem congenital disorder often linked to one of two genetic mutations. Clinically, many patients with TSC have disabling neurologic conditions, including epilepsy, mental retardation or autism. Given that multiple factors are involved in the TSC pathology and the relationships among the factors in the TSC pathology is still under debate, cross-sectional studies can miss important predictors for TSC progression. The goal of this study was to provide exploratory data on the relationship between common pathologies in TSC and pattern of longitudinal diffusion changes in projection, association and commissural fibers using diffusion tractography.