High-resolution diffusion tensor imaging shows cortical microstructure changes in multiple sclerosis across the lifespan

Motivation: Patterns of cortical microstructural damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) can be examined in vivo with high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Goal(s): To assess cortical diffusion changes in MS across the lifespan. Approach: High-resolution DTI from controls (5-74 years) and MS participants (13-72 years) were segmented using an only-DTI-based method. Thickness, standard DTI metrics and radiality were evaluated in the entire cortex in MS against normative development/aging. Results: Cortical changes were observed in ~1/3 of MS participants versus controls over the entire lifespan, such as thinning, higher mean (MD), axial (AD) and radial (RD) diffusivities, and lower radiality. Impact: This study highlights microstructural abnormalities in the cortex of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients throughout the lifespan. These findings will help to understand in vivo cortical pathology in MS that might precede atrophy and that could be linked with disease progression/phenotypes.