Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) in the Early Evaluation of Brain White Matter Diseases

The General Authority for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Brain White Matter Diseases

Treatments: Other: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Study type: Observational

Funder types: NETWORK

Identifiers

NCT07108712

HD000235

Details and patient eligibility

About

To assess the sensitivity and accuracy of diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) metrics, in identifying early-stage changes in brain white matter related to various white matter diseases.

Full description

Brain white matter diseases (WMDs) are a group of neurological conditions that involve changes to the brain's white matter, often leading to cognitive, motor, and sensory impairments.

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI), has emerged as a powerful non-invasive imaging tool for evaluating microstructural changes in brain white matter. This protocol aims to investigate the role of dMRI in the early identification and characterization of brain white matter diseases, focusing on its potential for detecting abnormalities before the onset of overt clinical symptoms.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), one of the first advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, has rapidly ascended on the basis of its applicability in strokes and some infectious diseases. Restricted diffusion is significant information in the context of vascular ischemia, helping to delimit the brain-damaged area

Enrollment: 150 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18-80 years.
• Clinical suspicion of early-stage white matter disease.
• No prior diagnosis of significant neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, brain tumors).
• Ability to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (e.g., metal implants, pacemakers).
• Severe psychiatric or cognitive impairment that prevents participation.
• Control Group: Healthy individuals without any clinical history of neurological diseases, matched by age and sex to the patient cohort.

Trial design

150 participants in 1 patient group

Study group

Description:

Patients diagnosed with suspected early-stage white matter disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis, small vessel disease, Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, leukoaraiosis) will be enrolled.

Treatment:

Other: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)