title: Preliminary magnetic resonance study of the macromolecular proton fraction in white matter: a potential marker of myelin?
abstract: We report on a new quantitative magnetization transfer (MT) technique that allows for the in vivo estimation of the macromolecular proton fraction (f) and the bound pool T2 relaxation time (T2b), whilst permitting whole brain coverage. In this pilot study, five subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) and five healthy controls were studied. Both f and T2b were significantly different between MS lesions and normal control white matter (WM). Relationships between f and T1 relaxation time [Spearmans rank correlation coefficient (r(s)) = -0.97, P < 0.001] and f and the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR; r(s) = 0.80, P < 0.001) were observed. Compared with MTR, f and T2b have the potential advantage of relative independence from MT acquisition protocol while offering more pathologically specific information. In particular, f may provide a more direct indication of myelin content in WM.
authors.affiliation: NMR Research Unit, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramani
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Tozer
authors.forename: C A M
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wheeler-Kingshott
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Tofts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D010487:Periaqueductal Gray / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011522:Protons; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011522:Protons