Abstract Details

Title 3T vs. 7T MRI Scan Protocols to Assess Deep Grey Matter Lesions and Atrophy in Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P1 - Poster Session 1 (12:00 PM-1:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 9-006

Objective To compare scan protocols at 3T and 7T in the detection of DGM lesions and atrophy.

Background Deep grey matter (DGM) lesions and atrophy occur early in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and link to clinical disability. High-resolution 7T MRI is proposed to improve lesion detection in MS though the diagnostic yield vs. 3T in the DGM is not known.

Design/Methods 18 RRMS subjects [age (mean±SD) 44.3±11.1 years, EDSS score 1.9±2.0] and 14 age-/sex-matched healthy controls (HC) underwent 7T MRI (Siemens Magnetom Terra, 3D MP2RAGE and 3D T2 FLAIR; 0.7 mm³ isotropic voxels) and 3T MRI (Siemens Skyra, 3D T1 MPRAGE and 3D T2 FLAIR; 1.0 mm³ isotropic voxels). Thalamic lesions were detected by the concurrence of T1-hypointensity and T2-hyperintensity. Normalized DGM and brain parenchymal volumes (BPV) were detected using fully automated FSL-FIRST and SIENAX pipelines. Two-sample t-tests and Spearman correlations were assessed.

Results 3T vs. 7T thalamic lesion number (r=0.52, p=0.027) and volume (r=0.63, p=0.005) had only moderate associations; this reflected higher mean thalamic lesion number (2.8 vs 1.1) and volume (0.058 vs. 0.040 mL) in MS subjects at 7T. DGM volumes also differed and showed only moderate inter-correlation (thalamus: r=0.84, p<0.001; putamen: r=0.91, p<0.0001; caudate: r=0.65, p=0.005; globus pallidus: 0.51, p=0.029). Comparing MS vs. HC volumes: BPV was significantly lower at 3T (p=0.01) and 7T (p=0.006) with similar effect sizes, whereas DGM volume differences at both platforms were non-significant with modest effect sizes. Total DGM (r=-0.65, p=0.004) and thalamic volumes (r=-0.48, p=0.045) correlated with EDSS at 7T but not at 3T. Neither 3T nor 7T thalamic lesions correlated with EDSS.

Conclusions 7T MRI may provide increased clinical relevance in the detection of DGM involvement in MS in part by improving MS lesion detection in the thalamus.

Authors/Disclosures
Youmna Jalkh (Brigham and Women's Hospital) PRESENTER	Ms. Jalkh has nothing to disclose.
Renxin Chu (Brigham & Women's Hospital)	Dr. Chu has nothing to disclose.
Shahamat Tauhid, MD (Brigham & Women's Hospital)	Dr. Tauhid has nothing to disclose.
Brian C. Healy	The institution of Mr. Healy has received research support from Analysis Group. The institution of Mr. Healy has received research support from Bristol-Myers Squibb. The institution of Mr. Healy has received research support from Verily Life Sciences. The institution of Mr. Healy has received research support from Novartis. The institution of Mr. Healy has received research support from Merck Serono. The institution of Mr. Healy has received research support from Genzyme.
Howard L. Weiner, MD (Brigham and Women'S Hospital)	Dr. Weiner has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genentech. Dr. Weiner has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Medday Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Weiner has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for vTv Therapeutics. Dr. Weiner has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Tiziana Life Sciences. Dr. Weiner has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for vTv Therapeutics. Dr. Weiner has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Medday Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Weiner has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an officer or member of the Board of Directors for vTv Therapeutics. Dr. Weiner has stock in vTv Therapeutics. The institution of Dr. Weiner has received research support from National Institute of Health. The institution of Dr. Weiner has received research support from National MS Society. The institution of Dr. Weiner has received research support from Genzyme Corp. The institution of Dr. Weiner has received research support from Genentech, Inc. . The institution of Dr. Weiner has received research support from Verily Life Sciences LLC. The institution of Dr. Weiner has received research support from EMD Serono, Inc..
Rohit Bakshi, MD, FAAN	Dr. Bakshi has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for EMD Serono. Dr. Bakshi has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi. The institution of Dr. Bakshi has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Journal of Neuroimaging. The institution of Dr. Bakshi has received research support from Bristol Myers Squibb. The institution of Dr. Bakshi has received research support from EMD Serono. The institution of Dr. Bakshi has received research support from Novartis.
Jonathan D. Zurawski, MD (Brigham & Women's Hospital)	The institution of Dr. Zurawski has received research support from The Race to Erase MS Foundation. The institution of Dr. Zurawski has received research support from Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The institution of Dr. Zurawski has received research support from I-Mab Biopharma . The institution of Dr. Zurawski has received research support from Elizabeth A. Kremer MS Research Foundation. The institution of Dr. Zurawski has received research support from Novartis.