Axial Diffusivity Is the Primary Correlate of Axonal Injury in the Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Spinal Cord: A Quantitative Pixelwise Analysis

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4605-08.2009
• Publication Date: 2009-03-04T18:38:23Z
• Authors: Matthew D. Budde; Mingqiang Xie; Anne H. Cross; Sheng-Kwei Song
• Keywords: Encephalomyelitis; Neurofilament

The dissociation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and permanent disability in multiple sclerosis (MS), termed the clinicoradiological paradox, can primarily be attributed to lack of specificity conventional, relaxivity-based MRI measurements detecting axonal damage, primary pathological correlate long-term impairment MS. Diffusion tensor (DTI) has shown promise specifically damage demyelination MS its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). To quantify DTI injury, vivo maps from spinal cords mice with EAE quantitative histological were both registered a common space. A pixelwise correlation analysis parameters, metrics, scores revealed significant water diffusion parallel white matter fibers, or axial diffusivity, score. Furthermore, diffusivity was staining for neurofilaments (SMI31), markers integrity. Both neurofilament decreased throughout entire matter, not solely within demyelinated lesions seen EAE. In contrast, although anisotropy significantly correlated score, it damage. results demonstrate strong, relationship show that is specific after inflammatory demyelination.