Magnetisation transfer ratio analysis of normal appearing white matter in patients with familial and sporadic multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: To assess differences in magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) analysis of normal appearing white matter (NAWM) in patients with familial multiple sclerosis (MS) and those with sporadic MS.
Methods: 10 patients with familial MS, 10 patients with sporadic MS, and 10 healthy subjects were included in the study. Groups were matched according to the sex, age, disease duration, type of disease, EDSS, and MRI T1 and T2 lesion load. Magnetisation transfer imaging (MTI) with and without saturation pulse were performed. On the MTR map 16 different regions of interest of normal appearing white matter were analyzed.
Results: The mean MTR value of normal appearing white matter was significantly lower both in familial patients and those with sporadic MS compared with healthy subjects (33.8% v 46.4%; 38.6% v 46.4% respectively, p< 0.05). Additionally, patients with familial MS showed significantly lower mean MTR value than patients with sporadic MS (33.8% v 38.6%, p<0.05). There was also significant regional variation of MTR values between these two groups of patients.
Conclusions: Lower and more widespread MTR abnormalities in patients with familial MS might indicate differences in the extent and nature of white matter pathology between familial and sporadic MS.