Brain abnormalities in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: Evaluation by diffusional kurtosis imaging and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging

Yukio Kimura; Noriko Sato; Miho Ota; Yoko Shigemoto; Emiko Morimoto; Mikako Enokizono; Hiroshi Matsuda; Isu Shin; Keiko Amano; Hirohiko Ono; Wakiro Sato; Takashi Yamamura

doi:10.1002/jmri.26247

Brain abnormalities in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: Evaluation by diffusional kurtosis imaging and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2019 Mar;49(3):818-824. doi: 10.1002/jmri.26247. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Authors

Yukio Kimura¹, Noriko Sato¹, Miho Ota^{2

3}, Yoko Shigemoto¹, Emiko Morimoto¹, Mikako Enokizono¹, Hiroshi Matsuda⁴, Isu Shin⁵, Keiko Amano⁶, Hirohiko Ono⁷, Wakiro Sato⁷, Takashi Yamamura⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.
² Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.
³ Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
⁴ Integrative Brain Imaging Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.
⁵ Sekimachi Medical Clinic, Nerima, Tokyo, Japan.
⁶ Seifuso Hospital, Niiza, Saitama, Japan.
⁷ Department of Immunology, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.

PMID: 30430664
DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26247

Abstract

Background: Diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) metrics provide more specific information regarding pathological changes than diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Purpose: To detect microstructural abnormalities in myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) / chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients by using DKI and NODDI metrics.

Study type: Prospective.

Population: Twenty ME/CFS patients and 23 healthy controls were recruited.

Field strength/sequence: Three-b value DWI (b-values = 0, 1000, and 2000 sec/mm² ) and 3D T₁ -weighted images were at 3.0T.

Assessment: Mean kurtosis (MK), neurite density index (NDI), orientation dispersion index (ODI), fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated.

Statistical testing: The two-sample t-test analysis in SPM12 software was used to compare the differences between ME/CFS and control groups.

Results: In the ME/CFS patients, we observed significant FA decreases in the genu of the corpus callosum and the anterior limb of the right internal capsule (P < 0.05), but no significant difference in MD (P = 0.164); there were also significant MK decreases in the right frontal area, anterior cingulate gyrus, superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and left parietal area (P < 0.05). Significant NDI decreases were observed in the right posterior cingulate gyrus, SLF, and left frontal area of the ME/CFS patients (P < 0.05). Significant ODI decreases were seen in the bilateral occipital areas, right superior temporal gyrus, the anterior limb of internal capsule, and the posterior cingulate gyrus (P < 0.05), and significant ODI increases were revealed in the bilateral occipital and right temporal areas (P < 0.05).

Data conclusion: Right SLF abnormalities may be a diagnostic marker for ME/CFS.

Level of evidence: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:818-824.

Keywords: chronic fatigue syndrome; density imaging; diffusional kurtosis imaging; neurite orientation dispersion.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Anisotropy
Brain / diagnostic imaging
Brain Mapping
Case-Control Studies
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Encephalomyelitis / diagnostic imaging*
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / diagnostic imaging*
Female
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
Male
Middle Aged
Neurites / pathology*
Prospective Studies