Normal-appearing grey and white matter T1 abnormality in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the presence and evolution of T(1) relaxation time abnormalities in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and grey matter (GM), early in the course of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Twenty-three patients with early relapsing-remitting MS and 14 healthy controls were imaged six monthly for up to three years. Mean follow-up was 26 months for MS patients and 24 months for controls. Dual-echo fast-spin echo and gradient-echo proton-density and T(1)-weighted data sets (permitting the calculation of a T(1) map) were acquired in all subjects. GM and NAWM T(1) histograms were produced and a hierarchical regression model was used to investigate changes in T(1) over time.


RESULTS
At baseline, significant patient-control differences were seen, both in NAWM (P <0.001) and in GM (P =0.01). At follow-up, there was no evidence for a serial change in either mean T(1) or peak-location for either NAWM or GM. There was weak evidence for a decline in patient NAWM peak-height and also evidence for a decline in control GM peak-height.


CONCLUSIONS
There are significant and persistent abnormalities of NAWM and GM T(1) in early relapsing-remitting MS. Further studies should address whether such T(1) measures have a role in prognosis or therapeutic monitoring.
Davies
G R
GR
NMR Research Unit, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK.
Hadjiprocopis
A
A
Altmann
D R
DR
Chard
D T
DT
Griffin
C M
CM
Rashid
W
W
Parker
G J
GJ
Tofts
P S
PS
Kapoor
R
R
Thompson
A J
AJ
Miller
D H
DH
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016899:Interferon-beta