BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Magnetization transfer ratio histogram peak height (MTR-HPH) has been shown to correlate with macroscopic and microscopic brain disease in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied the changes in MTR-HPH and in Kurtzke's Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores over time in a group of patients with relapsing-remitting MS. METHODS: Twenty adult patients with relapsing-remitting MS (four men and 16 women) were followed up for a period of 334 to 1313 days. In all, 86 MR imaging studies of the brain were obtained, and MTR-HPH was calculated for each MR examination by using a semiautomated technique. Changes in MTR-HPH were compared between patients over the study's duration. A neurologist specialized in the care of MS patients assessed the EDSS score for each patient as a measure of clinical disability. RESULTS: Serial MR data showed a subtle but significant decline in MTR-HPH with time. No significant changes in EDSS scores were noted over the same period. CONCLUSION: Patients with relapsing-remitting MS have a significant progressive decline in normalized MTR-HPH, which is independent of EDSS score. MTR-HPH measurements can be used to monitor subclinical disease in patients with relapsing-remitting MS over a short time frame of 1 to 4 years. This parameter might be applied in future therapeutic trials to assess its usefulness.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Magnetization transfer ratio histogram peak height (MTR-HPH) has been shown to correlate with macroscopic and microscopic brain disease in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied the changes in MTR-HPH and in Kurtzke's Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores over time in a group of patients with relapsing-remitting MS. METHODS: Twenty adult patients with relapsing-remitting MS (four men and 16 women) were followed up for a period of 334 to 1313 days. In all, 86 MR imaging studies of the brain were obtained, and MTR-HPH was calculated for each MR examination by using a semiautomated technique. Changes in MTR-HPH were compared between patients over the study's duration. A neurologist specialized in the care of MS patients assessed the EDSS score for each patient as a measure of clinical disability. RESULTS: Serial MR data showed a subtle but significant decline in MTR-HPH with time. No significant changes in EDSS scores were noted over the same period. CONCLUSION:Patients with relapsing-remitting MS have a significant progressive decline in normalized MTR-HPH, which is independent of EDSS score. MTR-HPH measurements can be used to monitor subclinical disease in patients with relapsing-remitting MS over a short time frame of 1 to 4 years. This parameter might be applied in future therapeutic trials to assess its usefulness.
Authors: M A van Buchem; J K Udupa; J C McGowan; Y Miki; F H Heyning; M P Boncoeur-Martel; D L Kolson; M Polansky; R I Grossman Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 1997-08 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: C M Poser; D W Paty; L Scheinberg; W I McDonald; F A Davis; G C Ebers; K P Johnson; W A Sibley; D H Silberberg; W W Tourtellotte Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 1983-03 Impact factor: 10.422
Authors: H Kimura; D F Meaney; J C McGowan; R I Grossman; R E Lenkinski; D T Ross; T K McIntosh; T A Gennarelli; D H Smith Journal: J Comput Assist Tomogr Date: 1996 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 1.826
Authors: P S Tofts; S C A Steens; M Cercignani; F Admiraal-Behloul; P A M Hofman; M J P van Osch; W M Teeuwisse; D J Tozer; J H T M van Waesberghe; R Yeung; G J Barker; M A van Buchem Journal: MAGMA Date: 2006-09-07 Impact factor: 2.310