#6
Bachmann R, Reilmann R, Schwindt W, Kugel H, Heindel W, Krämer S
Eur Radiol 2006 Apr;16(4):915-21
University of Muenster, Department of Clinical Radiology, Germany
PMID# 16365731
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to:
- Identify the optimal TE for FLAIR-imaging at 3.0 Tesla (T) assessing three different echo times qualitatively and quantitatively and
- Evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of high-field 3.0-T FLAIR imaging in comparison to conventional 1.5-T MRI in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Twenty-two patients with clinically definite MS underwent axial FLAIR imaging at 1.5 and 3.0 T. In 15 of these patients further FLAIR images with a TE of 100, 120 and 140 ms were acquired at 3.0 T.
Imaging protocols were modified for 3.0 T using the increased Signal-Noise-Ratio (SNR) to acquire more and thinner slices while maintaining a comparable scan time.
FLAIR images of either different TEs or different field strengths were ranked for each patient qualitatively by two observers.
Signal intensity measurements were obtained in the Gray and White Matter, CSF and representative White Matter Lesions (WML).
At 3.0 T, a TE of 100 and 120 ms proved superior in all qualitative categories when compared to 140 ms.
In the quantitative assessment CNR of WML was highest for 120 ms (CNR: 19.8), intermediate for 100 ms (17.2) and lowest for 140 ms (15.3) (P < 0.003).
For lesion conspicuity and overall image quality, 3.0 T was judged superior to 1.5 T, whereas no difference was found for Gray-White differentiation and image noise.
With regard to artifacts, 3.0 T was inferior to 1.5 T. The CNR for WML was slightly lower at 3.0 T, but the difference was not significant (22.6 vs. 28.0, P=ns).
However, significantly more WML were detected at 3.0 T than at 1.5 T (483 vs. 341, P < 0.0001). The optimal echo time for FLAIR imaging at 3.0 T is 120 ms due to the significantly higher CNR of WML.
By trading the higher SNR at 3.0 T for better spatial resolution, nearly the same CNR level could be maintained, increasing lesion detectability at 3.0 T compared to 1.5 T.
Thus, high-field MRI may further strengthen the role of MRI as the most sensitive paraclinical test for the early diagnosis of MS.
#7
International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium
Hafler DA, Compston A, Sawcer S, Lander ES, Daly MJ, De Jager PL, de Bakker PI, Gabriel SB, Mirel DB, Ivinson AJ, Pericak-Vance MA, Gregory SG, Rioux JD, McCauley JL, Haines JL, Barcellos LF, Cree B, Oksenberg JR, Hauser SL
N Engl J Med 2007 Aug 30;357(9):851-62
Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Division of Molecular Immunology, Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Boston, USA
PMID# 17660530
Abstract
Background
Multiple Sclerosis has a clinically significant heritable component. We conducted a genomewide association study to identify alleles associated with the risk of Multiple Sclerosis.
Methods
We used DNA microarray technology to identify common DNA sequence variants in 931 family trios (consisting of an affected child and both parents) and tested them for association.
For replication, we genotyped another 609 family trios, 2322 case subjects, and 789 control subjects and used genotyping data from two external control data sets.
A joint analysis of data from 12,360 subjects was performed to estimate the overall significance and effect size of associations between alleles and the risk of Multiple Sclerosis.
Results
A transmission disequilibrium test of 334,923 Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in 931 family trios revealed 49 SNPs having an association with Multiple Sclerosis (P < 1x10(-4)); of these SNPs, 38 were selected for the second-stage analysis.
A comparison between the 931 case subjects from the family trios and 2431 control subjects identified an additional nonoverlapping 32 SNPs (P < 0.001).
An additional 40 SNPs with less stringent P values ( < 0.01) were also selected, for a total of 110 SNPs for the second-stage analysis.
Of these SNPs, two within the InterLeukin-2 Receptor alpha gene (IL-2RA) were strongly associated with Multiple Sclerosis (P=2.96x10(-8)).
As were a nonsynonymous SNP in the InterLeukin-7 Receptor alpha gene (IL-7RA) (P=2.94x10(-7)) and multiple SNPs in the HLA-DRA locus (P=8.94x10(-81)).
Conclusions
Alleles of IL-2RA and IL-7RA and those in the HLA locus are identified as heritable risk factors for Multiple Sclerosis.
Copyright 2007 Massachusetts Medical Society.
#8
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine Ameliorates The Inflammatory Disease Process In Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis In Lewis Rats
Stanislaus R, Gilg AG, Singh AK, Singh I
J Autoimmune Dis 2005 May 3;2(1):4
Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Pediatrics, Charleston, SC, USA
PMID# 15869713
Abstract
We report that N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) treatment blocked induction of TNF-, IL-1ß, IFN-γ and iNOS in the CNS and attenuated clinical disease in the Myelin Basic Protein induced model of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats.
Infiltration of MonoNuclear Cells into the CNS and induction of Inflammatory Cytokines and INOS in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and EAE have been implicated in subsequent disease progression and pathogenesis.
To understand the mechanism of efficacy of NAC against EAE, we examined its effect on the production of Cytokines and the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the CNS.
NAC treatment attenuated the transmigration of MonoNuclear Cells thereby lessening the NeuroInflammatory Disease.
Splenocytes from NAC-treated EAE animals showed reduced IFN-γ production, a Th1 Cytokine and increased IL-10 production, an AntiInflammatory Cytokine.
Further, Splenocytes from NAC-treated EAE animals also showed decreased Nitrite production when stimulated in vitro by LPS.
These observations indicate that NAC treatment may be of therapeutic value in MS against the inflammatory disease process associated with the infiltration of activated MonoNuclear Cells into the CNS.
#9
Janardhan V, Suri S, Bakshi R
Radiology 2007 Sep;244(3):823-31
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Boston, Mass; State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Department of Radiology, Buffalo, NY
PMID# 17690319
Abstract
Purpose
To retrospectively document HyperIntense lesions on nonenhanced T1-weighted Magnetic Resonance (MR) images in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and study their relationship to physical disability, disease course, and other MR markers of tissue damage (Brain Atrophy).
Materials and Methods
Institutional review board approval was obtained; informed consent was waived for this HIPAA-compliant study, with 145 patients with MS (mean age, 43 years).
Patients had Relapsing/Remitting (RR) (n = 92) or Secondary/Progressive (S/P) (n = 49) MS; clinical course was unknown in four. Mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was 3.5.
T1 lesions were compared with normal White Matter on nonenhanced images and judged HyperIntense.
Spearman rank correlation, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Fisher exact probability tests and analysis of variance and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were employed.
Results
At least one T1 HyperIntense lesion was found in 113 patients (total, 340 lesions).
Two-thirds of lesions had HyperIntense rim; others were uniformly HyperIntense.
Lesions were more common in patients with SP MS (P = .003, Wilcoxon test) and correlated with EDSS score (Spearman rho = 0.19, P = .04) and Brain Atrophy measures (total Cortical Atrophy, Spearman rho = 0.42, P < .001;
Third Ventricular Width, Spearman rho = 0.40, P < .001) but not disease duration (Spearman rho = 0.038, P = .69).
Lesions were more likely multiple in the SP versus RR group (P < .001, Fisher test). After adjustment for disease course, T1 Hyperintense lesions remained associated with Brain Atrophy (P < /= .001, ANCOVA).
No independent effect of imager type (ANCOVA F value = 1.4, P = .24) or Spin-Echo method (P = .67, Wilcoxon test) on number of lesions was detected.
An effect of other MR protocol adjustments (analysis of variance F value = 5.6, P = .001) was unconfirmed after clinical characteristic adjustment (ANCOVA F value = 1.1, P = .35).
Conclusion
HyperIntense MS plaques on T1-weighted MR images are common and associated with Brain Atrophy, disability, and advancing disease; a HyperIntense lesion may be a clinically relevant biomarker.
(c) RSNA, 2007.
#10
Effect Of Early Versus Delayed Interferon-beta-1b Treatment On Disability After A First Clinical Event Suggestive Of Multiple Sclerosis: A 3-Year Follow-Up Analysis Of The BENEFIT Study
Kappos L, Freedman MS, Polman CH, Edan G, Hartung HP, Miller DH, Montalbán X, Barkhof F, Radü EW, Bauer L, Dahms S, Lanius V, Pohl C, Sandbrink R
BENEFIT Study Group
Lancet 2007 Aug 4;370(9585):389-97
University Hospital, Neurology and Department of Research, Basel, Switzerland
PMID# 17679016
Abstract
Background
Several controlled studies provide evidence that treatment with Interferon-beta in patients with a first event suggestive of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) delays conversion to Clinically Definite MS (CDMS).
Our aim was to determine whether early initiation of treatment with Interferon-ß prevents development of confirmed disability in MS.
Methods
In the initial placebo-controlled phase of the double-blinded BENEFIT study, patients with a first event suggestive of MS.
And a minimum of two clinically silent lesions in MRI were randomized to receive either Interferon-ß-1b 250 microg (n=292) or placebo (n=176) subcutaneously every other day for 2 years, or until diagnosis of CDMS.
Patients were then eligible to enter the follow-up phase with open-label Interferon-ß-1b.
In the current prospectively planned analysis 3 years after randomization, the effects of early Interferon-ß-1b treatment were compared with those of delayed treatment initiated after diagnosis of CDMS or after 2 years on the study.
The primary outcomes of this ITT analysis were time to diagnosis of CDMS, time to confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression, and score on a patient-reported functional assessment scale (FAMS-TOI).
This trial is registered with:
ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00185211.
Findings
Of the 468 patients originally randomized, 418 (89%) entered the follow-up phase; 392 (84%) completed 3 years' post-randomization follow-up.
After 3 years, 99 (37%) patients in the early group developed CDMS compared with 85 (51%) patients in the delayed treatment group.
Early treatment reduced the risk of CDMS by 41% (hazard ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.44-0.80; p=0.0011; absolute risk reduction 14%) compared with delayed treatment.
Over 3 years, 42 (16%) patients in the early group and 40 (24%) in the delayed group had confirmed EDSS progression; early treatment reduced the risk for progression of disability by 40% compared with delayed treatment (0.60, 0.39-0.92; p=0.022.
Absolute risk reduction 8%). The FAMS-TOI score was high and stable in both groups over the 3-year period (p=0.31).
Interpretation
Our data suggest that early initiation of treatment with Interferon-ß-1b prevents the development of confirmed disability, supporting its use after the first manifestation of Relapsing/Remitting MS.
#11
Rocca MA, Agosta F, Sormani MP, Fernando K, Tintorè M, Korteweg T, Tortorella P, Miller DH, Thompson A, Rovira A, Montalban X, Polman C, Barkhof F, Filippi M
J Neurol 2008 May;255(5):683-91]
Scientific Institute and University Ospedale, NeuroImaging Research Unit, Dept. of Neurology, San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
PMID# 18274802
Abstract
Objectives
To define the extent of overall Brain Damage in patients with Clinically Isolated Syndromes (CIS) suggestive of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and to identify non-conventional Magnetic Resonance (MR) metrics predictive of evolution to definite MS.
Methods
Brain conventional and Magnetization Transfer (MT) MRI scans were obtained from 208 CIS patients and 55 matched healthy controls, recruited in four centers.
Patients were assessed clinically at the time of MRI acquisition and after a median period of 3.1 years from disease onset. The following measures were derived:
T2, T1 and gadolinium (Gd)- enhancing Lesion Volumes (LV), Normalized Brain Volume (NBV), MTR Histogram-derived quantities of the Normal-Appearing White Matter (NAWM) and Gray Matter (GM).
Results
During the follow-up, 43 % of the patients converted to definite MS. At baseline, a significant inter-center heterogeneity was detected for T2 LV (p = 0.003), T1 LV (p = 0.006), NBV (p < 0.001) and MTR Histogram-derived metrics (p < 0.001).
Pooled average MTR values differed between CIS patients and controls for NAWM (p = 0.003) and GM (p = 0.01).
Gd activity and positivity of International Panel (IP) criteria for disease Dissemination In Space (DIS), but not NAWM and GM MTR and NBV, were associated with evolution to definite MS.
The final multivariable model retained only MRI IP criteria for DIS (p = 0.05; HR = 1.66, 95 % CI = 1.00-2.77) as an independent predictor of evolution to definite MS.
Conclusions
Although irreversible tissue injury is present from the earliest clinical stages of MS, macroscopic focal lesions but not "diffuse" Brain damage measured by MTR are associated to an increased risk of subsequent development of definite MS in CIS patients.
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