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Axonal damage in the spinal cord of multiple sclerosis patients detected by magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Andrew BlamireORCiD

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Abstract

Axonal damage is a major factor contributing to permanent disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); it has been extensively investigated in the brain using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In this study, MRS was used to investigate the degree of neuronal damage in the cervical spinal cord in MS. Spectra were acquired from spinal cord and brain in 11 patients with MS (expanded disability status score [EDSS], range 2.5-7.0) and 11 controls. Brain lesion volume and spinal cord cross-sectional area were measured. Concentration of the neuronal metabolite N-acetyl-aspartate ([NAA]) was reduced in the spinal cord in MS patients relative to controls (reduced by 32%, P < 0.05), indicating significant neuronal damage. Additionally, the spinal cord was significantly atrophied in MS patients (15%, P < 0.001). No significant reduction in brain [NAA] was seen in the MS group. There were no correlations between clinical measures and cord atrophy or brain lesion volume on MRI; however, spinal cord [NAA] correlated with the cerebellar subscore of the neurological assessment (P < 0.005), while brain [NAA] correlated with disease duration (P < 0.05). MRS demonstrated cellular damage within the cord over and above the tissue atrophy seen by MRI. Combining MRI and MRS may therefore give a more complete picture of neurodegeneration in the spinal cord. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Blamire AM, Cader S, Lee M, Palace J, Matthews PM

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

Year: 2007

Volume: 58

Issue: 5

Pages: 880-885

ISSN (print): 0740-3194

ISSN (electronic): 1522-2594

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrm.21382

DOI: 10.1002/mrm.21382

PubMed id: 17969113


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
G0400396Medical Research Council
G9409634Medical Research Council

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