From micro ‐ to macro‐structures in multiple sclerosis: what is the added value of diffusion imaging

Conclusions from the literature are that larger studies are needed to confirm the exciting results from initial investigations before current trends in diffusion imaging can be translated to the neurology clinic. Also, for a comprehensive understanding of pathological processes, it is essential to take a multiple‐level approach, in which information at the micro‐, meso‐ and macroscopic scales is fully integrated. Diffusion in multiple sclerosis (MS) can provide information about the microstructure, but this might not be sufficient to explain clinical disability: the functional system impairment might emerge only when the alterations in pathways are combined at the network level, ultimately resulting in dysfunction. In this situation, graph metrics (macroscopic level) may be able to capture the abnormalities better than voxel‐wise comparison.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi?DOI=10.1002%2Fnbm.3888

Source: NMR in Biomedicine - January 19, 2018 Category: Radiology Authors: Mara Cercignani, Claudia Gandini Wheeler ‐Kingshott Tags: SPECIAL ISSUE REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research