summary: In this study, diffusion tensor imaging is used to assess fibre coherence within normal appearing white matter (NAWM) in the brain and spinal cords of patients with NMO. The authors report a decrease in functional anisotropy (FA), the degree to which diffusion is restricted (used as a measure of fibre integrity) in the posterior limb of the internal capsule, in the optic radiations and in spinal cord NAWM. FA was also significantly lower in spinal cord lesions. Overall the results suggest the presence of severe DTI abnormalities within the spinal cord lesions of patients with NMO, and within NAWM in the optic radiation and corticospinal tracts, although it remained normal in NAWM outside these tracts.

authors: Jeantroux J, Kremer S, Lin XZ, Collongues N, Chanson JB, Bourre B, Fleury M, Blanc F, Dietemann JL, de Seze J.

source: J Neuroradiol. 2011 Dec 13. [Epub ahead of print]

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