Multi-shell diffusion MRI shows early WM changes

[frodo]

It seems that multi-shell diffusion is some kind of new MRI protocol able to show the white matter early damage.

Evidence of early microstructural white matter abnormalities in multiple sclerosis from multi-shell diffusion MRI

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 821930049X

Taken together, our data provide evidence for the presence of widespread microstructural changes in the NAWM in early MS stages that are, at least in part, unrelated to focal demyelinating lesions. Interestingly, these pathological changes were not yet detectable by conventional diffusion imaging at this early disease stage, highlighting the sensitivity and value of multi-shell diffusion imaging for better characterizing axonal microstructure in MS.

and from the same team:

Evidence for Progressive Microstructural Damage in Early Multiple Sclerosis by Multi-Shell Diffusion MRI

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a ... 2219300429

Finally, FR was the only diffusion metric (as compared to Diffusion Tensor Imaging) that revealed pre-lesional changes already present at baseline. Taken together, our data provide evidence for progressive microstructural damage in the NAWM of early MS cases detectable already at 1-year follow-up. Our study highlights the value of multi-shell diffusion imaging for sensitive tracking of disease evolution in MS before any clinical changes are observed.