Abstract #2510

Diffusion tensor imaging of multiple sclerosis patients with progression independent of relapse activity show increased white matter damage

Mario Ocampo-Pineda^1,2,3, Alessandro Cagol^1,2,3,4, Pascal Benkert⁵, Muhamed Barakovic^1,2,3, Po-Jui Lu^1,2,3, Jannis Müller^1,2,3,6, Sabine Schaedelin^1,2,3,7, Matthias Weigel^1,2,3, Lester Melie-Garcia^1,2,3, Ludwig Kappos^1,2,3, Jens Kuhle^2,3, and Cristina Granziera^1,2,3

¹Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, ²Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland, ³Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, ⁴Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy, ⁵Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, ⁶Clinical Outcomes in Research (CORe), University of Melbourne, Melbourne VIC, Australia, ⁷Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Synopsis

Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis, Neurodegeneration, White matter, PIRA

Motivation: Progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) is the most frequent manifestation of disability accumulation in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the mechanisms leading to PIRA are currently unknown.

Goal(s): To investigate the link between PIRA and white matter degeneration in people with MS.

Approach: To compare the integrity of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) between patients with MS who experienced PIRA versus stable patients using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures from a clinical-compatible protocol.

Results: Patients with PIRA exhibited significant differences in DTI-derived measures compared to stable patients: reduced fractional anisotropy and increased mean and radial diffusivity in NAWM.

Impact: This study sheds light on the relationship between progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) and white matter degeneration in people with multiple sclerosis. The results have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of disability progression in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

How to access this content:

For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.

After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.

After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.

Click here for more information on becoming a member.