REMYELINATION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH OXYGEN EXTRACTION FRACTION DIFFER BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Motivation: Remyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with restoring brain function. Understanding its mechanism is therefore essential for developing effective treatment strategies, yet it remains understudied. Goal(s): To investigate the relationship between early stage remyelination and oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and to compare this relationship between male and female. Approach: Using a novel MRI-based OEF mapping technique, QQ, we processed longitudinal MRI scans at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months in 22 MS patients (9 male and 13 female). Results: In female, OEF and myelin increased from baseline to 3 months, with changes positively associated, whereas male showed no such increases and associations. Impact: This study demonstrates QQ's feasibility for investigating the relationship between remyelination and OEF and its differences between male and female in MS. QQ-based OEF mapping can help develop gender-tailored therapeutic interventions for remyelination.