Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) of white matter multiple sclerosis lesions: Interpreting positive susceptibility and the presence of iron.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Within multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions iron is present in chronically activated microglia. Thus, iron detection with MRI might provide a biomarker for chronic inflammation within lesions. Here, we examine contributions of iron and myelin to magnetic susceptibility of lesions on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

Methods

Fixed MS brain tissue was assessed with MRI including gradient echo data, which was processed to generate field (phase), R2* and QSM. Five lesions were sectioned and evaluated by immunohistochemistry for presence of myelin, iron and microglia/macrophages. Two of the lesions had an elemental analysis for iron concentration mapping, and their phospholipid content was estimated from the difference in the iron and QSM data.

Results

Three of

SUBMITTER: Wisnieff C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4333139 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature