In vivo quantitative whole‐brain T1 rho MRI of multiple sclerosis. Issue 6 (30th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gonyea, Jay V.; Watts, Richard; Applebee, Angela; Andrews, Trevor; Hipko, Scott; Nickerson, Joshua P.; Thornton, Lindsay; Filippi, Christopher G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of magnetic resonance imaging. Volume 42:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 1623
• Page End: 1630
• Publication Date: 2015-05-30
• Subjects: T1ρ -- T1 rho -- spin lock -- quantitative MRI -- multiple sclerosis; Magnetic resonance imaging -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24954
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1053-1807

Abstract

Abstract : Background: To apply quantitative whole‐brain T1 ‐rho (T1ρ ) and T2 imaging to the detection and quantification of brain changes resulting from multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Twenty‐three MS patients with clinically isolated syndrome (10) and relapsing remitting MS (13) phenotypes, compared with 24 age‐matched healthy controls were imaged at 3 Tesla. An axial T1ρ ‐weighted three‐dimensional turbo spin echo sequence with a variable flip angle and fluid suppression was used. Spin‐lock times of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 ms were used. Corresponding T2 maps were also acquired. Results: Whole brain white matter (WM) T1ρ maps were elevated compared with controls ( P = 0.002). WM lesion T1ρ and T2 values were highly correlated (r = 0.83), but T1ρ demonstrated 25% better contrast to noise ratio ( P < 0.001). WM lesion T1ρ correlated with disease duration. Gray matter T1ρ was negatively correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale, r = −0.45, P = 0.03. Normal appearing gray matter and cortical gray matter lesions were negatively correlated on T1ρ, but not on T2 (rT1ρ = −0.63, pT1ρ = 0.03; rT2 = −0.17, pT2 = 0.6). Conclusion: T1ρ MRI demonstrates enhanced lesion contrast compared with T2, and in some cases may provide complementary information. T1ρ may provide a useful measure of demyelinating processes in MS. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2015;42:1623–1630.