title: MRI T2 shortening ('black T2') in multiple sclerosis: frequency, location, and clinical correlation.
abstract: Abnormal iron deposition occurs in the brains of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and may cause MRI T2 shortening ('black T2'; BT2). The frequency, distribution and clinical significance of BT2 in MS is unknown. Analysis of brain MRI scans of 114 MS patients showed BT2 in thalamus (n = 65; 57%), putamen (n = 48; 42%), caudate (n = 27; 24%) and Rolandic cortex (n = 9; 8%). BT2 was significantly related to longer disease duration and advancing neurological disability. Wheelchair-bound patients had worse BT2 in thalamus (p < 0.05), putamen (p < 0.001) and Rolandic cortex (p < 0.05). Patients with secondary progressive disease (n = 34) had worse BT2 in thalamus, putamen and caudate (all p < 0.05) than those with relapsing remitting disease (n = 80). BT2 is proposed as a clinically relevant finding relating to neuronal degeneration in MS.
authors.affiliation: Imaging Services-Kaleida Health, State University of New York, Buffalo 14203, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bakshi
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Janardhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D007501:Iron