Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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A high variability of brain MRI volume change measurement renders challenging its interpretation in multiple sclerosis (MS). Occurrence and clinical relevance of observed apparent brain volume increase (BVI) in MS patients have not been investigated yet. The objective was to quantify the prevalence and factors associated with BVI. ⋯ BVI occurs in a great proportion of MR scans over short-term follow-up and is not associated with disease stabilization. Although BVI can be caused by several factors, the results indicate that measurement error may contribute to BVI in the majority of cases. Clinicians should be aware of the frequent occurrence of apparent BVI, interpret brain volume changes in MS patients with great caution, and use methods with precise quantification of brain volume changes.
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The fetal brain changes significantly throughout gestation. From a smooth (lissencephalic) cortex, it transforms into its convolved (gyrencephalic) state. Despite its importance, the diagnosis of delay in brain gyrogenesis is a challenge for many sonographers. This study presents a novel semiautomatic image processing algorithm for simple quantification of sagittal sulci maturation in the third trimester. ⋯ We found that fetal gyrogenesis is linear throughout the third trimester of pregnancy. The use of a computer algorithm to measure fetal sulci can be used as a simple prenatal screening test for delayed gyral maturation of the fetal brain.
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For diagnosis of medulloblastoma, the updated World Health Organization classification now demands for genetic typing, defining more precisely the tumor biology, therapy, and prognosis. We investigated potential associations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters including apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and neuropathologic features of medulloblastoma, focusing on genetic subtypes. ⋯ MRI analysis enabled noninvasive differentiation of SHH-activated medulloblastoma. ADC alone was not reliable for genetic characterization, but associated with tumor proliferation rate.
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Source-based morphometry(SBM) has been used in multicenter studies pooling magnetic resonance imaging data across different scanners to advance the reproducibility of neuroscience research. In the present study, we developed an analysis strategy for Scanner-Specific Detection (SS-Detect) of SBPs in multiscanner studies, and evaluated its performance relative to a conventional strategy. ⋯ SS-Detect outperformed the conventional strategy and can be considered advantageous when SBM is applied to a multiscanner study.
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Observational Study
Multimodal MRI Response to Fingolimod in Multiple Sclerosis: A Nonrandomized, Single Arm, Observational Study.
Fingolimod has a favorable effect on conventional MRI measures; however, its neuroprotective effect is not clear. We aim to investigate changes of conventional and advanced MRI measures in lesions and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) over 2 years in fingolimod-treated patients. ⋯ These findings suggest a possible neuroreparative effect of fingolimod on the MS lesions and NAWM. Larger and longer randomized studies are required to confirm these results.