Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Evaluation of White Matter Microstructure Damages by Automated Fiber Quantification in Multiple Sclerosis

Motivation: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by a series of pathological processes mainly caused by white matter (WM) lesions. Thus, the correct and comprehensive understanding of WM in RRMS patients is essential for clinical practice. Goal(s): To characterize the WM fiber tracts by automated fiber quantification (AFQ) cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and explore the correlation between the cognitive performance. Approach: The DTI metrics ectracted by AFQ were investigated cross-sectionally and longitudinal in entire and pointwise manners. The partial correlation analyses were performed between the abnormal metrics and the cognitive performance. Results: MS patients showed a widespread WM microstructure alteration, and widely correlated with cognitive performance. Impact: RRMS patients showed a widespread WM microstructure alteration, and the altered metrics were widely correlated with cognitive performance, which will enhance our understanding of WM microstructure damages in RRMS patients.