Michael Maroun Zeineh PhD, MD, Presenter: Research funded, General Electric Company

James Kang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Scott W. Atlas MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mira Raman, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Allan Reiss MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ian Scott Valencia BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jane Scott Norris, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jose Scott Montoya MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

(1) Detect microstructural abnormalities underlying chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), (2) assess if gray and/or white matter volumes are abnormal utilizing T1-weighted volumetric analysis, and (3) detect suspected global alterations in brain perfusion using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (ASL).

15 CFS patients and 14 controls provided informed consent in accordance with Stanford’s Institutional Review Board and HIPAA. Subjects underwent 3.0T volumetric T1 and T2-weighted imaging, two DTI acquisitions, and ASL. Segmentations of supratentorial gray and white matter and cerebrospinal fluid were used to compare gray and white matter volume fractions and cortical thickness. DTI was processed with automated fiber quantification (AFQ), which compares piecewise fractional anisotropy (FA) along 20 tracks. The FreeSurfer segmentation was used to compare cerebral blood flow.

Bilateral white matter volume and right thalamic volumes were reduced in the CFS population. In CFS, FA was increased in the right arcuate fasciculus, and cortical thickness increased in both of its endpoints: the right middle temporal and right precentral gyri. In right-handers, FA was also increased in the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and thickness increased in one endpoint, the right occipital lobe. Within CFS patients, right anterior arcuate FA as well as basal ganglial volumes increased with disease severity. ASL showed no significant differences.

Bilateral white matter and right thalamic atrophy are present in CFS. Right hemispheric increased FA and cortical thickness are present, suggestive of a compensatory or pathological network. Right anterior arcuate FA may serve as a biomarker for CFS.

Automated tractography can be useful for studying the microstructure underlying neurological disorders.

Zeineh, M, Kang, J, Atlas, S, Raman, M, Reiss, A, Valencia, I, Norris, J, Montoya, J, Right Arcuate Fasciculus Disruption in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14045747.html