Objective To investigate the microstructural changes of white matter in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis(RRMS)and its correlation with clinical functional scores.Methods A total of 20 patients with RRMS(RRMS group)and 20 healthy controls(HC)(HC group)were selected and underwent diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and expanded disability status scale(EDSS)scores.Patients with RRMS were categorized into two groups based on their EDSS scores,including MS-1 group(motor dysfunction with visual impairment)and MS-2 group(motor dysfunction).Image processing was performed via tract-based spatial statistics(TBSS).Group comparisons were executed using the t-test,while correlations were analyzed utilizing Spearman correlation.Results In the RRMS group,reduced fractional anisotropy(FA)values were accompanied by increased mean diffusivity(MD)and radial diffusivity(RD)values in the forceps major,forceps minor,bilateral cingulum,bilateral uncinate fasciculus,bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus,bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus,bilateral inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus,bilateral corticospinal tract and bilateral anterior thalamic radiation compared with the HC group.Additionally,In the RRMS group,increased axial diffusivity(AD)values were noted in the forceps major,forceps minor,bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus(temporal),right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus,bilateral corticospinal tract and right anterior thalamic radiation compared with the HC group.Compared with the MS-2 group,the MS-1 group exhibited higher FA values in the right cingulum(cingulate gyrus part)and higher AD values in the left cingulum(cingulate gyrus part).Correlation analysis revealed negative correlations between the FA values of the forceps major,right superior longitudinal fasciculus and the motor function scores in RRMS group.Conversely,positive correlations were identified between the MD values of the forceps minor,right superior longitudinal fasciculus,right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus,left corticospinal tract and the RD values of the forceps minor,right cingulum(hip-pocampus),right superior longitudinal fasciculus,and left corticospinal tract,as well as the motor function scores.Conclusion RRMS patients exhibit microstructural damage in white matter and are associated with motor dysfunction,which provides imaging support for the pathological mechanisms underlying motor dysfunction in RRMS patients.
multiple sclerosisdiffusion tensor imagingcerebral white matter
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
