High-Field Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Median, Tibial, and Sural Nerves in Type 2 Diabetes With Morphometric Analysis

IF 2.3 4区医学 Q3 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Journal of Neuroimaging Pub Date : 2025-02-17 DOI:10.1111/jon.70025

Luka Pušnik, Aljoša Gabor, Barbora Radochová, Jiří Janáček, František Saudek, Armin Alibegović, Igor Serša, Erika Cvetko, Nejc Umek, Žiga Snoj

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Abstract

Background and Purpose

The primary objective was to compare diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scalar parameters of peripheral nerves between subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and those without diabetes. Secondarily, we aimed to correlate DTI scalar parameters with nerve morphometric properties.

Methods

Median, tibial, and sural nerves were harvested from 34 male cadavers (17 T2DM, 17 nondiabetic). Each nerve was divided into three segments. The initial segment was scanned using 9.4 Tesla MRI system (three-dimensional pulsed-gradient spin-echo sequence). DTI scalars were calculated from region-average diffusion-weighted signals. Second segment was optically cleared, acquired with optical projection tomography (OPT), and analyzed for morphometrical properties. Toluidine-stained sections were prepared from last segment, and axon- and myelin-related properties were evaluated.

Results

DTI scalar parameters of median and tibial nerves were comparable between the groups, while sural nerves of T2DM exhibited on average 41% higher mean diffusivity (MD) (p = 0.03), 38% higher radial diffusivity (RD) (p = 0.03), and 27% lower fractional anisotropy (FA) (p = 0.005). Significant differences in toluidine-evaluated parameters of sural nerves were observed between the groups, with a positive correlation between FA with fiber density (p = 0.0001) and with myelin proportion (p < 0.0001) and an inverse correlation between RD and myelin proportion (p = 0.003). OPT-measured morphometric properties did not correlate with DTI scalar parameters.

Conclusions

High-field DTI shows promise as an imaging technique for detecting axonal and myelin-related changes in small sural nerves ex vivo. The reduced fiber density and decreased myelin content, which can be observed in T2DM, likely contribute to observed FA reduction and increased MD/RD.

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来源期刊

Journal of Neuroimaging 医学-核医学

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

0.00%

发文量

117

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Start reading the Journal of Neuroimaging to learn the latest neurological imaging techniques. The peer-reviewed research is written in a practical clinical context, giving you the information you need on: MRI CT Carotid Ultrasound and TCD SPECT PET Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology Functional MRI Xenon CT and other new and upcoming neuroscientific modalities.The Journal of Neuroimaging addresses the full spectrum of human nervous system disease, including stroke, neoplasia, degenerating and demyelinating disease, epilepsy, tumors, lesions, infectious disease, cerebral vascular arterial diseases, toxic-metabolic disease, psychoses, dementias, heredo-familial disease, and trauma.Offering original research, review articles, case reports, neuroimaging CPCs, and evaluations of instruments and technology relevant to the nervous system, the Journal of Neuroimaging focuses on useful clinical developments and applications, tested techniques and interpretations, patient care, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Start reading today!