ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To use T2 and diffusion MR to determine the change in the mechanical function of human disks with increased degenerative state. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spatial changes in T2 and diffusion were quantified in five cadaveric human lumbar disks under compressive loads. Regression models were used to investigate the relationship between the change in MR parameters and the disk's dynamic and viscoelastic properties. RESULTS: Compressive loading caused a significant reduction in the disk's mean diffusivity ([11.3 versus 9.7].10(-4) .mm(2) /s, P < 0.001) but little change in T2 (P < 0.05). Diffusivity and T2 were correlated with the disk's dynamic (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05) and long-term viscoelastic (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05) stiffness. Diffusivity but not T2, was correlated with its viscoelastic dampening (r(2) = 0.45, P < 0.01) and instantaneous stiffness (r(2) = 0.44, P < 0.05). Nucleus diffusivity was significantly higher than the annulus's (-21% to -4%, P < 0.01). MR-estimated hydration was correlated with the instantaneous viscoelastic stiffness of the nucleus (r(2) = 0.35, P < 0.05) and the dynamic (r(2) = 0.44, P < 0.05) and long-term viscoelastic (r(2) = 0.42, P < 0.05) stiffness in the annulus. T2 correlated with diffusivity at low load (r(2) = 0.66, P < 0.05), but not at high load. CONCLUSION: The strong correlations between diffusivity and the rheological assessments of disk mechanics suggest that MR might permit quantitative assessment of disk functional status and structural integrity.
Subject(s)
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/physiopathology , Intervertebral Disc/physiopathology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biomechanical Phenomena , Cadaver , Female , Humans , Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
Our knowledge about the process of aging has continued to evolve as the methods used to study this process become more sophisticated. As more becomes known about the diagnostic criteria for dementia, the population of subjects taking part in aging studies has become more carefully screened minimizing the role of dementia as a confounding variable. Furthermore, advances in imaging techniques now allow us to view the anatomy of the brain in vivo better than any time in the past paving the way for longitudinal studies of the brain. It should not be surprising given the changes seen in studies of aging that our conventional wisdom of the aging process is being called into question.
