PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Zhang, Hui-Qin
AU  - Lee, Jacky Chi-Yan
AU  - Wang, Lu
AU  - Cao, Peng
AU  - Chan, Koon-Ho
AU  - Mak, Henry Ka-Fung
TI  - Dynamic Changes in Long-Standing Multiple Sclerosis Revealed by Longitudinal Structural Network Analysis Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging
AID  - 10.3174/ajnr.A8115
DP  - 2024 Feb 01
TA  - American Journal of Neuroradiology
4099  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2024/02/01/ajnr.A8115.short
4100  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2024/02/01/ajnr.A8115.full
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: DTI can be used to derive conventional diffusion measurements, which can measure WM abnormalities in multiple sclerosis. DTI can also be used to construct structural brain networks and derive network measurements. However, few studies have compared their sensitivity in detecting brain alterations, especially in longitudinal studies. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine which type of measurement is more sensitive in tracking the dynamic changes over time in MS.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with MS were recruited at baseline and followed up at 6 and 12 months. All patients underwent MR imaging and clinical evaluation at 3 time points. Diffusion and network measurements were derived, and their brain changes were evaluated.RESULTS: None of the conventional DTI measurements displayed statistically significant changes during the follow-up period; however, the nodal degree, nodal efficiency, and nodal path length of the left middle frontal gyrus and bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, opercular part showed significant longitudinal changes between baseline and at 12 months, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: The nodal degree, nodal efficiency, and nodal path length of the left middle frontal gyrus and bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, opercular part may be used to monitor brain changes over time in MS.ADaxial diffusivityEDSSExpanded Disability Status ScaleFAfractional anisotropyIFGopercinferior frontal gyrus, opercular partMDmean diffusivityMFGmiddle frontal gyrusNAWMnormal-appearing WMORBsupmedsuperior frontal gyrus, medial orbital partRDradial diffusivitySPMSsecondary-progressive MS