TY - JOUR T1 - Serial Analysis of Magnetization-Transfer Histograms and Expanded Disability Status Scale Scores in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis JF - American Journal of Neuroradiology JO - Am. J. Neuroradiol. SP - 1946 LP - 1950 VL - 20 IS - 10 AU - Upen J. Patel AU - Robert I. Grossman AU - Michael D. Phillips AU - Jayaram K. Udupa AU - Joseph C. McGowan AU - Yukio Miki AU - Luogang Wei AU - Marcia Polansky AU - Mark A. van Buchem AU - Dennis Kolson Y1 - 1999/11/01 UR - http://www.ajnr.org/content/20/10/1946.abstract N2 - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Magnetization transfer ratio histogram peak height (MTR-HPH) has been shown to correlate with macroscopic and microscopic brain disease in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied the changes in MTR-HPH and in Kurtzke's Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores over time in a group of patients with relapsing-remitting MS.METHODS: Twenty adult patients with relapsing-remitting MS (four men and 16 women) were followed up for a period of 334 to 1313 days. In all, 86 MR imaging studies of the brain were obtained, and MTR-HPH was calculated for each MR examination by using a semiautomated technique. Changes in MTR-HPH were compared between patients over the study's duration. A neurologist specialized in the care of MS patients assessed the EDSS score for each patient as a measure of clinical disability.RESULTS: Serial MR data showed a subtle but significant decline in MTR-HPH with time. No significant changes in EDSS scores were noted over the same period.CONCLUSION: Patients with relapsing-remitting MS have a significant progressive decline in normalized MTR-HPH, which is independent of EDSS score. MTR-HPH measurements can be used to monitor subclinical disease in patients with relapsing-remitting MS over a short time frame of 1 to 4 years. This parameter might be applied in future therapeutic trials to assess its usefulness. ER -