title: Diffusion-weighted imaging thermometry in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively investigate brain temperature using MR diffusion-weighted imaging thermometry in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and age-matched healthy controls, to examine comparisons of brain temperature between MS patients and healthy volunteers, and to examine correlations between brain temperature and disease duration and between brain temperature and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in MS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen MS patients and 13 age-matched healthy controls were examined using a 3.0 Tesla MR unit from January 2011 to February 2013. Brain temperature in each participant was measured using diffusion-weighted imaging-based MR thermometry of the lateral ventricles. Group comparisons of brain temperature between MS patients and healthy controls were performed using the Student's t-test. The determination of correlation between brain temperature in MS patients and disease duration, and between brain temperature and EDSS were performed using a Pearson's correlation coefficient test. For statistical analyses, values of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median brain temperature was 35.81°C (range, 35.06-37.03°C) in MS patients, and 36.29°C (range, 35.51-37.89°C) in healthy controls representing a significant difference (P = 0.020). No significant correlation of both between brain temperature and disease duration and between brain temperature and EDSS were identified (r/P = -0.382/0.198, -0.026/0.933).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brain temperature was significantly lower in MS patients than in healthy controls, probably representing decreased brain metabolism in MS patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Asari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sai
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimono
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Akitoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsukamoto
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Yukio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: brain temperature; diffusion-weighted imaging; diffusion-weighted thermometry; multiple sclerosis