Reports from Children's Hospital add new data to research in tuberous sclerosis in children
2007 NOV 5 -- Current study results from the report, 'Characteristics of abnormal diffusivity in normal-appearing white matter investigated with diffusion tensor MR imaging in tuberous sclerosis complex,' have been published. According to recent research published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology, " Although patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) manifest various structural abnormalities, we hypothesized that white matter (WM) structures that appear normal on conventional MR imaging may be accompanied by microstructural changes, such as gliosis and myelinization defects. Our objective was to determine in vivo whether there was evidence for WM microstructural changes by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We used DTI to evaluate diffusivity and anisotropy in normal-appearing WM (NAWM) of 6 children with TSC and 12 age-matched control subjects." "The anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule, the external capsule, and the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum were assessed. We hypothesized that previously reported DTI abnormalities of NAWM in patients with TSC may not be equal in all diffusion directions as measured by the major, middle, and minor eigenvalues. When combining NAWM regions in patients with TSC, we observed a significant increase in mean diffusivity (p=.003) and a decrease in anisotropy (p=.03) compared with those of controls. However, the increase in diffusivity was more pronounced in directions orthogonal to the axons measured by the minor and middle eigenvalues (p=.005) than by the major eigenvalue (p=.02). Our findings revealed a decrease in anisotropy and an increase in longitudinal and radial diffusivities in NAWM beyond the location of TSC lesions seen on conventional MR imaging," wrote M.I. Makki and colleagues, Children's Hospital. The researchers concluded: "The axonal microstructural changes suggested by our study may be related to changes in myelin packing due to giant cells accompanied by gliosis and myelination defects known to occur in TSC WM." Makki and colleagues published their study in American Journal of Neuroradiology (Characteristics of abnormal diffusivity in normal-appearing white matter investigated with diffusion tensor MR imaging in tuberous sclerosis complex. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 2007;28(9):1662-7). For additional information, contact M.I. Makki, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Carman and Ann Adams Dept. of Pediatrics, Detroit, MI 48201 USA.. The publisher's contact information for the American Journal of Neuroradiology is: American Society Neuroradiology, 2210 Midwest Rd., Oak Brook, IL 60521, USA. Keywords: United States, Detroit, Genetics, Medical Device, Microstructures, Microtechnology, Neurology, Neuroradiology, Tuberous Sclerosis. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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