Random Walk Imaging (RWI) has announced positive data from a study in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients using the company’s scanning method and software protocol.

Data from the study, which was conducted at the Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, demonstrated a significant improvement in the sensitivity of MRI images to disease induced changes in the brain’s normal-appearing white matter, states the company. By enhancing MRI scanned images to the microscopic level, the unprecedented detail of the damage caused enabled the researchers to determine a stronger correlation to disease clinical and cognitive scores, they state.

The results were published in Brain Communications.

The study

In the study, the researchers compared normal-appearing white matter of 26 patients with relapsing-remitting MS, 14 patients with primary progressive MS, and 27 age-matched healthy controls using standard FA to mFA mapping using RWI’s proprietary software protocol. Mean standard FA and mFA of normal-appearing white matter was significantly reduced in MS patients relative to healthy controls, but mFA significantly improved detection of disease-related white-matter alterations in the MS patient group.

In addition, the reduction in mean mFA, representing degenerated fibers, showed: a significant positive linear relationship with physical disability as reflected by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), an internationally recognized measurement of MS disability; a positive correlation with individual cognitive dysfunction, as measured with the symbol digit modality test (SDMT); and
a positive relationship with total white matter lesion load as well as lesion load in specific tract systems. Standard mean FA was not able to reveal any of these relationships between normal-appearing white matter microstructure and clinical, cognitive or structural measures.

Multiple studies

RWI is currently conducting multiple studies in Australia, China and the US at research institutions in collaboration with MRI vendors to assess how the software can be optimized clinically for various anatomies.

“We see this study as significant validation of our approach and are developing our protocol into a stand alone, post-processing software product to support scientists and radiologists in their research of the brain as well as other anatomies, such as breast and prostate. The software, once launched, could be integrated as an in-line clinical tool compatible with most clinical MRI machines,” said Peter Hoffmann-Fischer, Executive in Residence at Random Walk Imaging.

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