Alexander Lerner MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Kevin Chikai Ma BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

James Reza F. Fernandez MD, MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mark S. Shiroishi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jerry Tsu-Yuen Loo BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Brent Julius Liu PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eu-Meng Law MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Lilyana Amezcua MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate brain MRI abnormalities in a cohort of hispanic American (HA) and white American (WA) patients affected with multiple sclerosis (MS).

This study had IRB approval. We retrospectively investigated 200 patients with MS, consisting of 100 hispanic American (HA) and 100 white American (WA) patients. All patients underwent clinical assessment including disease type, EDSS, type and duration of disease-modifying therapy. These patients also underwent MRI examination and subsequent quantitative analysis. MRI metrics included total lesion volume (LV), number of hypointense lesions on T1WI, number of contrast enhancing (CE) lesions on post contrast T1WI, and global cerebral atrophy metrics. Global atrophy measures included maximum 3rd ventricle diameter and Brain Parenchyma Fraction (BPF). Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) semiautomated system was used to determine total lesion volume (LV). T1WI, T2WI, and FLAIR images were realigned and brain segmentation was performed and a probability map of the lesions was generated. After post-processing the total lesion volume was generated. The CAD system was also used to determine the BPF. The association between MRI measures, clinical history, disability scores and race were evaluated.

The total lesion volume in the HA MS patient cohort was greater compared to WA MS patient cohort when correlated with time since diagnosis of MS, patient age and disease type.

HA patients with MS compared to WA patients with MS demonstrate MRI differences, despite treatment, which may suggest differences in susceptibility to CNS damage. These findings may relate to the complex genetic admixture of the HA population and places ethnic background as an important marker of progression. There are multiple differences in incidence and prevalence of MS in patients of varying race and ethnicity, where it is more common in Caucasians of Northern European descent. Differences in timing of progression and central nervous system damage have been also identified between African American (AA) and WA. Future studies using ancestral genetic markers to refine the background may help address these differences.

This study provides a better understanding of tissue damage and lesion volumes in Hispanic Americans (HA) affected with MS, reflecting the role of unique genetic factors in this population.

Lerner, A, Ma, K, Fernandez, J, Shiroishi, M, Loo, J, Liu, B, Law, E, Amezcua, L, Lesion Volume and Cerebral Volume Loss in Patients of Hispanic Descent with Multiple Sclerosis.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9004633.html