title: Multicontrast MRI Quantification of Focal Inflammation and Degeneration in Multiple Sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Local microstructural pathology in multiple sclerosis patients might influence their clinical performance. This study applied multicontrast MRI to quantify inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS lesions. We explored the impact of MRI-based lesion pathology in cognition and disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  36 relapsing-remitting MS subjects and 18 healthy controls underwent neurological, cognitive, behavioural examinations and 3 T MRI including (i) fluid attenuated inversion recovery, double inversion recovery, and magnetization-prepared gradient echo for lesion count; (ii) T1, T2, and T2(*) relaxometry and magnetisation transfer imaging for lesion tissue characterization. Lesions were classified according to the extent of inflammation/neurodegeneration. A generalized linear model assessed the contribution of lesion groups to clinical performances.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four lesion groups were identified and characterized by (1) absence of significant alterations, (2) prevalent inflammation, (3) concomitant inflammation and microdegeneration, and (4) prevalent tissue loss. Groups 1, 3, 4 correlated with general disability (Adj-R (2) = 0.6; P = 0.0005), executive function (Adj-R (2) = 0.5; P = 0.004), verbal memory (Adj-R (2) = 0.4; P = 0.02), and attention (Adj-R (2) = 0.5; P = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multicontrast MRI provides a new approach to infer in vivo histopathology of plaques. Our results support evidence that neurodegeneration is the major determinant of patients' disability and cognitive dysfunction.
authors: Advanced Clinical Imaging Technology Group, Siemens, Innovation Park, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; LTS5, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Guillaume
authors: G
authors: Bonnier
authors: Advanced Clinical Imaging Technology Group, Siemens, Innovation Park, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; LTS5, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Alexis
authors: A
authors: Roche
authors: Advanced Clinical Imaging Technology Group, Siemens, Innovation Park, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; LTS5, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Romascano
authors: Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Samanta
authors: S
authors: Simioni
authors: Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland ; Medical Image Processing Laboratory (MIPLAB), Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Djalel Eddine
authors: DE
authors: Meskaldji
authors: Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Rotzinger
authors: Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors: Ying-Chia
authors: YC
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Menegaz
authors: Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Myriam
authors: M
authors: Schluep
authors: Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Renaud
authors: R
authors: Du Pasquier
authors: Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Goettingen, Germany.
authors: Tilman Johannes
authors: TJ
authors: Sumpf
authors: Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Goettingen, Germany.
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Frahm
authors: LTS5, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Jean-Philippe
authors: JP
authors: Thiran
authors: Advanced Clinical Imaging Technology Group, Siemens, Innovation Park, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; LTS5, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; Healthcare Sector IM&WS S, Siemens Schweiz AG, 1020 Renens, Switzerland.
authors: Gunnar
authors: G
authors: Krueger
authors: Advanced Clinical Imaging Technology Group, Siemens, Innovation Park, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; LTS5, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland ; Laboratoire de Recherche en Neuroimagerie, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Granziera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media