Corpus callosum in schizophrenia with deficit and non-deficit syndrome: a statistical shape analysis

BackgroundThe corpus callosum (CC) is the most targeted region in the cerebrum that integrates cognitive data between homologous areas in the right and left hemispheres.AimsOur study used statistical analysis to determine whether there was a correlation between shape changes in the CC in patients with schizophrenia (SZ) (deficit syndrome (DS) and non-deficit syndrome (NDS)) and healthy control (HC) subjects.MethodsThis study consisted of 27 HC subjects and 50 schizophrenic patients (20 with DS and 30 with NDS). 3 patients with DS and 4 patients with NDS were excluded. Three-dimensional, sagittal, T1-spoiled, gradient-echo imaging was used. Standard anatomical landmarks were selected and marked on each image using specific software.ResultsAs to comparing the Procrustes mean shapes of the CC, statistically significant differences were observed between HC and SZ (DS+NDS) (p=0.017, James’s Fj=73.732), HC and DS (p<0.001, James’s Fj=140.843), HC and NDS (p=0.006, James’s Fj=89.178) and also DS and NDS (p<0.001, James’s Fj=152.967). Shape variability in the form of CC was 0.131, 0.085, 0.082 and 0.086 in the HC, SZ (DS+NDS), DS and NDS groups, respectively.ConclusionsThis study reveals callosal shape variations in patients with SZ and their DS and NDS subgroups that take into account the CC’s topographic distribution.

Laminar analysis of the cerebellar cortex shows widespread damage in early MS patients: A pilot study at 7T MRI

Background To date, little is known about the presence and extent of cerebellar cortical pathology in early stages of MS. Objective The aims of this study were to (i) investigate microstructural changes in the normal-appearing cerebellar cortex of early MS patients by using 7 T MRI and (ii) evaluate the influence of those changes on clinical performance. Methods Eighteen RRMS patients and nine healthy controls underwent quantitative T1 and T2* measurement at 7 T MRI using high-resolution MP2RAGE and multi-echo gradient-echo imaging. After subtracting lesion masks, average T1 and T2* maps were computed for three layers in the cerebellar cortex and compared between groups using mixed effects models. Results The volume of the cerebellar cortex and its layers did not differ between patients and controls. In MS patients, significantly longer T1 values were observed in all vermis cortical layers and in the middle and external cortical layer of the cerebellar hemispheres. No between-group differences in T2* values were found. T1 values correlated with EDSS, SDMT and PASAT. Conclusions We found MRI evidence of damage in the normal-appearing cerebellar cortex at early MS stages and before volumetric changes. This microstructural alteration appears to be related to EDSS and cognitive performance.

Accelerated acquisition of carotid MR angiography using 3D gradient-echo imaging with two-point Dixon

This pilot study tests the feasibility of rapid carotid MR angiography using the liver acquisition with volume acceleration-flex technique (LAVA MRA). Seven healthy volunteers and 21 consecutive patients suspected of carotid stenosis underwent LAVA and conventional time-of-flight (cTOF) MRAs. Artery-to-fat and artery-to-muscle signal intensity ratios were manually measured. LAVA MRA exhibited a significantly larger artery-to-fat signal intensity ratio compared with cTOF MRA in all slices (P < 0.001) and exhibited a larger (P < 0.001) or equivalent (P = 1.0) artery-to-muscle signal intensity ratio in the extracranial carotid arteries. The image quality of the cervical carotid bifurcation and the signal change on each MRA were visually assessed and compared among the MRAs. There was no significant difference between the two MRAs in visual assessment. LAVA MRA can provide visualization similar to cTOF MRA in the evaluation of the cervical carotid bifurcation while reducing scan time by one-fifth.