Differentiating Axonal from Demyelinating Neuropathies using Multiparametric Quantitative MRI of Peripheral Nerves

Authors

Jacob D. Baraz, Wayne State University School of MedicineFollow
Stephanie Xuan, Wayne State University School of MedicineFollow
Sadaf Saba, Wayne State University School of MedicineFollow
Xue Yang, Wayne State University School of MedicineFollow
Ryan Castoro, Wayne State University School of MedicineFollow
Yang Xuan, Wayne State University School of MedicineFollow
Alison Roth, Barrow Neurological InstituteFollow
Richard D. Dortch, Barrow Neurological InstituteFollow
Jun Li, Houston Methodist Research InstituteFollow
Yongsheng Chen, Wayne State University School of MedicineFollow

Research Mentor Name

Yongsheng Chen

Research Mentor Email Address

ys.chen@wayne.edu

Institution / Department

Department of Neurology

Document Type

Research Abstract

Research Type

basicbio

Level of Research

no

Abstract

Objectives: To develop a multiparametric quantitative MRI (qMRI) method to track pathological changes in the peripheral neuropathies.

Background: Irrespective of the causes or types of polyneuropathies, peripheral nerves are mainly afflicted by two kinds of pathologies – axonal loss and demyelination. It is critical to differentiate between the two as treatments are different for the two conditions. While nerve conduction studies (NCS) have been used to differentiate the two pathologies in the distal nerves, there are no tools to probe the pathologies in the proximal peripheral nerves. This is particularly needed when distal nerves become non-responsive in NCS.

Methods: We have developed a qMRI method that quantifies the sciatic and tibial nerves with 10 parameters that are sensitive to different aspects of myelin and axonal pathologies: magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), magnetization transfer saturation index (MTsat), longitudinal relaxation time (T1), proton density (PD), effective transverse relaxation time (T2*), fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and nerve fascicular volume (fVol). In this pilot study, we studied 4 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth type-1A (CMT1A), 2 patients with CMT type-2S (CMT2S), and 17 healthy controls.

Results: Compared with the healthy controls, patients with CMT2S (axonal type) had a comparable MTR, MTsat, T1, PD and fVol, but a reduced T2*. While patients with CMT1A (demyelinating type) had a reduced MTR and MTsat, increased fVol, T1 and PD, and comparable T2*. All 6 patients with CMT shared a change in reduced FA, which was driven by a reduced AD and an increased RD.

Conclusions: The data show different qMRI patterns between axonal and demyelinating neuropathies. The differential changes will be further verified in a larger cohort of patients with peripheral neuropathies.

Disciplines

Bioimaging and Biomedical Optics | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nervous System | Nervous System Diseases | Neurology | Radiology

Recommended Citation

Baraz, Jacob D.; Xuan, Stephanie; Saba, Sadaf; Yang, Xue; Castoro, Ryan; Xuan, Yang; Roth, Alison; Dortch, Richard D.; Li, Jun; and Chen, Yongsheng, "Differentiating Axonal from Demyelinating Neuropathies using Multiparametric Quantitative MRI of Peripheral Nerves" (2023). Medical Student Research Symposium. 284.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/som_srs/284