Evaluation on changes of white matter microstructure in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with tract-based spatial statistics / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the changes of white matter microstructure in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) with DTI based on tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) method.Methods Conventional MR and DTI were performed in 20 NMOSD patients (NMOSD group) and 20 healthy volunteers (control group).DTI data were analyzed with TBSS procedure,which was a part of FSL software packages,and non-parametric statistical analysis was performed on the whole brain.Correlation between FA value of tracts with significant difference in NMOSD group and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores was analyzed.Results TBSS analysis revealed significantly (P＜ 0.05,FWE corrected) extensive decrease of FA value in cerebrum and cerebellum white matter fiber bundles,i.e.corpus callosum,fornix,corticospinal tract,unciform fasciculus,cerebellar peduncles etc.in NMOSD group,and decrease of AD value,increase of RD value in cingulum bundle,corpus callosum and fornix,while MD value only increased in fornix and retrolenticular part of the left internal capsule (P＜0.05,FWE corrected).Negative correlations were found between FA value of left uncinate fasciculus,right external capsule,left inferior cerebellar peduncle,bilateral anterior limb of internal capsule,medial lemniscus and EDSS scores (all P＜0.05).Conclusion Widespread white matter damage is observed in cerebrum and cerebellum in NMOSD patients by using TBSS analysis,which may partly correspond to the disabilities of NMOSD patients.However,the other microstructural changes of white matter tracts may suggest complicated pathological mechanism of NMOSD.