Potential of Sodium MRI as a Biomarker for Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation in Multiple Sclerosis

Huhn K, Engelhorn T, Linker RA, Nagel AM (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Frontiers in Neurology Frontiers Research Foundation / Frontiers Media

Book Volume: 10

Pages Range: 84

DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00084

Abstract

In multiple sclerosis (MS), experimental and ex vivo studies indicate that pathologic intra-and extracellular sodium accumulation may play a pivotal role in inflammatory as well as neurodegenerative processes. Yet, in vivo assessment of sodium in the microenvironment is hard to achieve. Here, sodium magnetic resonance imaging ((NaMRI)-Na-23) with its non-invasive properties offers a unique opportunity to further elucidate the effects of sodium disequilibrium in MS pathology in vivo in addition to regular proton based MRI. However, unfavorable physical properties and low in vivo concentrations of sodium ions resulting in low signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) as well as low spatial resolution resulting in partial volume effects limited the application of (NaMRI)-Na-23. With the recent advent of high-field MRI scanners and more sophisticated sodium MRI acquisition techniques enabling better resolution and higher SNR, (NaMRI)-Na-23 revived. These studies revealed pathologic total sodium concentrations in MS brains now even allowing for the (partial) differentiation of intra-and extracellular sodium accumulation. Within this review we (1) demonstrate the physical basis and imaging techniques of (NaMRI)-Na-23 and (2) analyze the present and future clinical application of (NaMRI)-Na-23 focusing on the field of MS thus highlighting its potential as biomarker for neuroinflammation and -degeneration.

Authors with CRIS profile

Tobias Martin Engelhorn Department of Neuroradiology Armin Michael Nagel Professur für metabolische und funktionelle MR-Bildgebung

Involved external institutions

Universität Regensburg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Huhn, K., Engelhorn, T., Linker, R.A., & Nagel, A.M. (2019). Potential of Sodium MRI as a Biomarker for Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation in Multiple Sclerosis. Frontiers in Neurology, 10, 84. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00084

MLA:

Huhn, Konstantin, et al. "Potential of Sodium MRI as a Biomarker for Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation in Multiple Sclerosis." Frontiers in Neurology 10 (2019): 84.

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