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A sensitive and efficient imaging technique is required to assess the subtle abnormalities occurring in the normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and normal-appearing grey matter (NAGM) in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In this study, a fast 3D macromolecular proton fraction (MPF) quantification based on spin-lock (fast MPF-SL) sequence was proposed for brain MPF mapping. Thirty-four participants, including 17 healthy controls and 17 RRMS patients were prospectively recruited. We conducted group comparison and correlation between conventional MPF-SL, fast MPF-SL, and DWI, and compared differences in quantified parameters within MS lesions and the regional NAWM, NAGM, and normal-appearing deep grey matter (NADGN). MPF of MS lesions was significantly reduced (7. 17% ± 1. 15%, P < 0. 01) compared to all corresponding normal-appearing regions. MS patients also showed significantly reduced mean MPF values compared with controls in NAGM (4. 87% ± 0. 38% vs 5. 21% ± 0. 32%, P = 0. 01), NAWM (9. 49% ± 0. 69% vs 10. 32% ± 0. 59%, P < 0. 01) and NADGM (thalamus 5. 59% ± 0. 67% vs 6. 00% ± 0. 41%, P = 0. 04; caudate 5. 10% ± 0. 55% vs 5. 53% ± 0. 58%, P = 0. 03). MPF and ADC showed abnormalities in otherwise normal appearing close to lesion areas (P < 0. 01). In conclusion, time-efficient MPF mapping of the whole brain can be acquired efficiently (< 3 min) using fast MPF-SL. It offers a promising alternative way to detect white matter abnormalities in MS.
Hou et al. (Fri,) studied this question.