Axonal Damage without T2-Lesions: Primary neurodegeneration?

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Evidence of Axonal Damage in Cerebellar Peduncles (CP) without T2-Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 8X18303127

Highlights

• Cerebellar DTI abnormalities reflect both local and distant pathology effect.
• AD abnormalities in both non-lesioned and lesioned CP reflect early axonal damage.
• Clinical and disability outcomes are associated with cerebellar DTI abnormalities.


Conclusion

The diffusion changes (fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD)) measured in lesioned CP are probably directly related to the presence of inflammatory and/or demyelinating lesions. In contrast, the microstructural alterations reflected by axial diffusivity (AD) increase in non-lesioned CP may result either from remote effects of cerebral white matter injury (diaschisis) or primary axonal degeneration, that are associated with cognitive, sensory and motor impairments of MS patients.