title: Multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography of the brain reveals tissue degeneration in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Application of multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography (MMRE) of the brain parenchyma in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) compared to age matched healthy controls (HC).
  
  
  METHODS
  15 NMOSD patients and 17 age- and gender-matched HC were examined using MMRE. Two three-dimensional viscoelastic parameter maps, the magnitude |G*| and phase angle φ of the complex shear modulus were reconstructed by simultaneous inversion of full wave-field data in 1.9-mm isotropic resolution at 7 harmonic drive frequencies from 30 to 60 Hz.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In NMOSD patients, a significant reduction of |G*| was observed within the white matter fraction (p = 0.017), predominantly within the thalamic regions (p = 0.003), compared to HC. These parameters exceeded the reduction in brain volume measured in patients versus HC (p = 0.02 whole-brain volume reduction). Volumetric differences in white matter fraction and the thalami were not detectable between patients and HC. However, phase angle φ was decreased in patients within the white matter (p = 0.03) and both thalamic regions (p = 0.044).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMRE reveals global tissue degeneration with accelerated softening of the brain parenchyma in patients with NMOSD. The predominant reduction of stiffness is found within the thalamic region and related white matter tracts, presumably reflecting Wallerian degeneration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Magnetic resonance elastography reveals diffuse cerebral tissue changes in patients with NMOSD. • Premature tissue softening in NMOSD patients indicates tissue degeneration. • Hypothesis of a widespread cerebral neurodegeneration in form of diffuse tissue alteration.
authors: Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany. kaspar-josche.streitberger@charite.de.|Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany. kaspar-josche.streitberger@charite.de.
authors: Kaspar-Josche
authors: KJ
authors: Streitberger
authors: Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Fehlner
authors: Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.|NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Florence
authors: F
authors: Pache
authors: NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Lacheta
authors: NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Papazoglou
authors: Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Bellmann-Strobl
authors: Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Klemens
authors: K
authors: Ruprecht
authors: NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Brandt
authors: Institute of Medical Informatics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Braun
authors: Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Ingolf
authors: I
authors: Sack
authors: Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.|NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.|Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Friedemann
authors: F
authors: Paul
authors: NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.|Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.|Medical Image Analysis Center (MIAC AG), Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Wuerfel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D004548:Elasticity; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014783:Viscosity; D066127:White Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Brain tissue; MDEV inversion; MMRE; Multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography; Neuromyelitis optica