Meeting Banner
Abstract #3610

Altered White Matter Connectivity in Early Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients with High Lesion Load

Wan Hazlin Zaini1, Zhang Chen1, Min Liu1, Fabrizio Giuliani2, Chris Hanstock1, Christian Beaulieu1

1Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; 2Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Conventional magnetic resonance imaging has low ability to predict disease progression in multiple sclerosis patients. We used diffusion tensor brain network analysis to assess differences among early relapsing-remitting MS patients with low disability and various levels of lesion load. Relative to controls, the high lesion load group, but not the low lesion load group, had reduced global and local network efficiency and increased shortest path length that all correlated with lesion load within that group. Diffusion tensor brain network analysis identifies altered white matter network properties that may provide a potential biomarker of disease progression.

Abstract PDF Presentation Video

Keywords

account adjacent agreement alterations altered anatomical another applied attributed automatic axial background biomedical bottom brain build calculating cerebral clinical communication connecting connections connectivity constructed controls correlated correlation cortex cortical cutoff decreased detecting dimension disability disease disruption distribution division duration early efficiency eighteen either engineering enough even expanded explored extracted fiber fifty findings flair function global gong graph gray head healthy human hypothesis hypothesize injury insight investigate labeling larger length lesion lesions linear load local mapping matched measures median might network networks neurology nineteen nodes nonlinear normalized objective path patient patients plaques plots potential predictor presence previous profound profoundly progression reduced regression relapsing related relevant remitting removed revealed scale sclerosis sensitive short shortest slices sonata stages status structural studies subject subsequently template theoretical tissue transformation underwent unique utilized variables variation versus volume white whole wider women years