High-b-value q-space diffusion MRS enables early detection in rat model.(Brief Article)

2002 OCT 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Results of a study by Tel Aviv University researchers suggest that that q-space analysis of high b-values diffusion MRS could be a new way to detect white-matter-associated disorders earlier.

Specifically, the scientists studied experimental autoimmune neuritis in rats.

"Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) has been studied in rat sciatic nerves by a combination of high b-value H-1 and H-2 double quantum filtered (DQF) diffusion MRS," explained Y. Assaf and colleagues.

"The signal decays of water in the H-1 and H-2 DQF diffusion MRS were found to be not monoexponential and were analyzed using the q-space approach. The q-space analysis of the H-1 diffusion data detected two diffusing components, one having broad and the other having narrow displacement profiles. These components were shown to be very sensitive to the progression of EAN disease," the researchers reported.

"The q-space parameters were found to be abnormal at day 9 postimmunization before the appearance of clinical signs. The assignment of the component with the narrow displacement profile to axonal water has been corroborated by the H-2 DQF diffusion MRS results. The displacement and the relative population of this slow and restricted diffusing component followed the processes of demyelination, axonal loss, and remyelination that occur in EAN. The displacements extracted from the slow-diffusing component with the narrow displacement correlated well with the average size of the axons ...