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Voxel‐based analysis of MTR images: A method to locate gray matter abnormalities in patients at the earliest stage of multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Audoin Bertrand,
Ranjeva JeanPhilippe,
Duong My Van Au,
Ibarrola Danielle,
Malikova Irina,
ConfortGouny Sylviane,
Soulier Elisabeth,
Viout Patrick,
AliChérif André,
Pelletier Jean,
Cozzone Patrick J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.20178
Subject(s) - voxel , basal ganglia , white matter , multiple sclerosis , caudate nucleus , voxel based morphometry , medicine , nuclear medicine , pathology , thalamus , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , central nervous system , psychiatry
Purpose To determine whether voxel‐based analysis of magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) maps can provide evidence of a coherent pattern of gray matter (GM) macroscopic and microscopic tissue damage in patients at the earliest stage of multiple sclerosis (MS). Materials and Methods We acquired GM MTR maps in 18 patients with clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of MS (CISSMS), and 18 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy controls. We evaluated the clinical status of the patients using the MS functional composite score and the expanded disability status scale. A two‐sample t‐test ( P < 0.0001, k = 20, uncorrected for height threshold) was used to compare GM MTR maps from patients and controls on a voxel‐by‐voxel basis. We then extracted data from regions with t‐values above the statistical threshold to verify the significance of differences using a nonparametric Mann‐Whitney U‐test. Results A between‐groups comparison of GM maps revealed large abnormalities in the basal ganglia, including the bilateral thalamus, bilateral lenticular nucleus, bilateral head of caudate, and protuberance, and smaller abnormalities in the right insula, right BA 4, and left BA 40. The MTR measured in the left caudate and right insula was inversely correlated with duration following the first clinical event. Conclusion These results suggest that although MS is a multifocal demyelinating disease that affects white matter (WM), a pattern of tissue damage is present inside the GM involving predominantly basal ganglia at the earliest stage of the disease. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:765–771. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.