title: Quantitative diffusion tensor deterministic and probabilistic fiber tractography in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to study the quantitative fiber tractography variations and patterns in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and to assess the correlation between quantitative fiber tractography and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight patients with RRMS and 28 age-matched healthy volunteers underwent a diffusion tensor MR imaging study. Quantitative deterministic and probabilistic fiber tractography were generated in all subjects. And mean numbers of tracked lines and fiber density were counted. Paired-samples t tests were used to compare tracked lines and fiber density in RRMS patients with those in controls. Bivariate linear regression model was used to determine the relationship between quantitative fiber tractography and EDSS in RRMS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both deterministic and probabilistic tractography's tracked lines and fiber density in RRMS patients were less than those in controls (P<.001). Both deterministic and probabilistic tractography's tracked lines and fiber density were found negative correlations with EDSS in RRMS (P<.001). The fiber tract disruptions and reductions in RRMS were directly visualized on fiber tractography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes of white matter tracts can be detected by quantitative diffusion tensor fiber tractography, and correlate with clinical impairment in RRMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Road Tianhe 600, 510630 Guangdong, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Binbin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Kangshun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zhuang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Sichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuang
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000473:pathology*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*; D012984:Software; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric