title: Asymmetric glucose uptake in leg muscles of patients with Multiple Sclerosis during walking detected by [18F]-FDG PET/CT.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), comparative leg muscle strength asymmetries are common and typically accompanied by walking difficulties. Underlying mechanisms for these asymmetries are not completely known, but altered muscle energetics may play a role.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate glucose uptake asymmetries in leg muscles of patients with mild MS during walking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight MS and 8 healthy control (CON) participants performed a 15-min treadmill walking test at self-selected speed. They were injected with a glucose tracer (18F-FDG) two minutes into the test and immediately upon completion, underwent Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MS group walked at a lower speed than the healthy control group (P < 0.01), however it was found that: 1) ([18F]-FDG) uptake in knee and hip flexors was higher compared to the CON group (P = 0.02); 2) the MS group exhibited asymmetrical strength of the knee flexors (P = 0.03); 3) [18F]-FDG uptake was significantly lower in the weaker knee flexors of patients with MS (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  [18F]-FDG uptake and strength asymmetries in the legs of patients with MS indicate greater metabolic costs during activity, which may play a major role in premature muscle fatigability and subsequent impaired walking capacity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rudroff
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kindred
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karki
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - Physical Therapy Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hebert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005947:Glucose
keywords: Positron emission tomography; glucose uptake; multiple sclerosis; strength asymmetries