RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Synthetic MRI in Progressive MS: Associations with Disability
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 847
OP 851
DO 10.3174/ajnr.A8605
VO 46
IS 4
A1 Braga, N.
A1 Aymerich, F.X.
A1 Alonso, J.
A1 Mongay-Ochoa, N.
A1 Pareto, D.
A1 Montalban, X.
A1 Vidal-Jordana, A.
A1 Sastre-Garriga, J.
A1 Rovira, À.
YR 2025
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/46/4/847.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Synthetic MRI (SyMRI) is a short-time acquisition sequence that generates different contrast-weighted images based on the measurement of tissue properties and provides quantitative volumetric, relaxation, and myelin maps. It has been used as an alternative to conventional MRI sequences in relapsing-remitting MS for detecting focal lesions and volumetric analysis. This study aimed to find an SyMRI variable associated with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥ 6 in progressive patients.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with progressive MS underwent SyMRI with a 2D axial QRAPMASTER pulse sequence. We analyzed volumetric parameters, global myelin fraction (MyCF), and quantitative values derived from maps of proton density, R1, R2, and myelin for the masks: normal-appearing white and gray matter, lesion, and corpus callosum. A t test compared SyMRI variables between groups, followed by univariate binary logistic regression for significant (P < .05) or trending results (P < .09).RESULTS: Patients were categorized into 2 groups (EDSS < 6 versus ≥ 6). Variables with significant differences between groups were: brain parenchymal fraction (P = .05), white matter fraction (P = .05), MyCF (P = .04), and corpus callosum volume (P = .04). In the binary logistic regression analysis, the best predictor of the EDSS category was MyCF, with a P value of .08, and an OR of 0.59.CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm differences in volumetric parameters by EDSS by using a single MRI acquisition. Additionally, higher MyCF values were associated with lower disability, highlighting SyMRI and myelin quantification as potential tools for clinical practice.BPFbrain parenchymal fractionEDSSExpanded Disability Status ScaleFDRfalse discovery rateGMFgray matter fractionMyCFglobal myelin fractionNAGMnormal-appearing gray matterPDproton densitySyMRIsynthetic MRIWMFwhite matter fractionNAWMnormal-appearing white matter