TABLE 1:

Mean values (± SD) for fractional anisotropy and coefficient Dav in the various investigated white matter brain regions

FADav (×10−3 mm2/s)
All plaques (n = 76)0.22 ± 0.071.54 ± 0.33
NAWM regions (n=76)0.32 ± 0.091.00 ± 0.14
NWM regions (n=76)0.37 ± 0.090.89 ± 0.08

  • Note.—FA indicates fractional anisotropy; Dav, average diffusivity; NAWM, normal appearing white matter; NWM, normal white matter. Note that FA is expressed as a unitless number that may range from 0 to 1 and that Dav is equal to one-third of the trace of the diffusion tensor.

    The P value was <.001 for all paired t tests between groups (plaques and NAWM regions, plaques and NWM regions, NAWM and NWM regions).