The relationship between cognitive function and high-resolution diffusion tensor MRI of the cingulum bundle in multiple sclerosis. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koenig, Katherine A; Sakaie, Ken E.; Lowe, Mark J; Lin, Jian; Stone, Lael; Bermel, Robert A; Beall, Erik B; Rao, Stephen M.; Trapp, Bruce D; Phillips, Micheal D
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 21:Number 14(2015)
• Page Start: 1794
• Page End: 1801
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- cognition -- diffusion tensor imaging -- episodic memory -- disease progression -- cingulate gyrus; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458515576983
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: Imaging can provide noninvasive neural markers of disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) that are related to behavioral and cognitive symptoms. Past work suggests that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides a measure of white matter pathology, including demyelination and axonal counts. Objectives: In the current study, the authors investigate the relationship of DTI measures in the cingulum bundle to common deficits in MS, including episodic memory, working memory, and information processing speed. Methods: Fifty-seven patients with MS and 17 age- and education-matched controls underwent high-spatial resolution diffusion scans and cognitive testing. Probabilistic tracking was used to generate tracks from the posterior cingulate cortex to the entorhinal cortex. Results: Radial and axial diffusivity values were significantly different between patients and controls ( p < 0.031), and in patients bilateral diffusion measures were significantly related to measures of episodic memory and speed of processing ( p < 0.033). Conclusions: The tractography-based measures of posterior cingulum integrity reported here support further development of DTI as a viable measure of axonal integrity and cognitive function in patients with MS.