Diffusion imaging of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was compared with T2-weighted MRI in longitudinal studies of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis, in five monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). In a region of the brain that had highly directional myelinated fibers (internal capsule) sequential changes were identified on diffusion-weighted images on and before the day these changes were detected on conventional T2-weighted images. Changes were also identified on diffusion-weighted images in brain areas that did not develop T2-weighted abnormalities. This result suggests that diffusion-weighted image intensities are sensitive to pathologic conditions of the brain that can not be seen on T2-weighted images.
Heide
A C
AC
Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Richards
T L
TL
Alvord
E C
EC
Peterson
J
J
Rose
L M
LM
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis