title: Segmented corpus callosum diffusivity correlates with the Expanded Disability Status Scale score in the early stages of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to characterize the microscopic damage to the corpus callosum in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with diffusion tensor imaging and to investigate the correlation of this damage with disability. The diffusion tensor imaging parameters of fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity provide information about the integrity of cell membranes, offering two more specific indices, namely the axial and radial diffusivities, which are useful for discriminating axon loss from demyelination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brain magnetic resonance imaging exams of 30 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were acquired in a 3T scanner. The axial diffusivities, radial diffusivities, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity of five segments of the corpus callosum, correlated to the Expanded Disability Status Scale score, were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All corpus callosum segments showed increased radial diffusivities and mean diffusivity, as well as decreased fractional anisotropy, in the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis group. The axial diffusivity was increased in the posterior midbody and splenium. The Expanded Disability Status Scale scores correlated more strongly with axial diffusivities and mean diffusivity, with an isolated correlation with radial diffusivities in the posterior midbody of the corpus callosum. There was no significant correlation with lesion loads.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurological dysfunction in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis can be influenced by commissural disconnection, and the diffusion indices of diffusion tensor imaging are potential biomarkers of disability that can be assessed during follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), Department of Radiology, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM-44), São Paulo/SPSP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina de Medeiros
authors.initials: Cde M
authors.lastname: Rimkus
authors.forename: Thiago de Faria
authors.initials: Tde F
authors.lastname: Junqueira
authors.forename: Dagoberto
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Callegaro
authors.forename: Maria Concepción García
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Otaduy
authors.forename: Claudia da Costa
authors.initials: Cda C
authors.lastname: Leite
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016880:Anisotropy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000473:pathology*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000473:pathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
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