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01-08-2013 | Diagnostic Neuroradiology

Brain size and white matter content of cerebrospinal tracts determine the upper cervical cord area: evidence from structural brain MRI

Authors: Christina Engl, Paul Schmidt, Milan Arsic, Christine C. Boucard, Viola Biberacher, Michael Röttinger, Thorleif Etgen, Sabine Nunnemann, Nikolaos Koutsouleris, Maximilian Reiser, Eva M. Meisenzahl, Mark Mühlau

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 8/2013

Abstract

Introduction

Measurement of the upper cervical cord area (UCCA) from brain MRI may be an effective way to quantify spinal cord involvement in neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. However, knowledge on the determinants of UCCA in healthy controls (HCs) is limited.

Methods

In two cohorts of 133 and 285 HCs, we studied the influence of different demographic, body-related, and brain-related parameters on UCCA by simple and partial correlation analyses as well as by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) across both cerebral gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM).

Results

First, we confirmed the known but moderate effect of age on UCCA in the older cohort. Second, we studied the correlation of UCCA with sex, body height, and total intracranial volume (TIV). TIV was the only variable that correlated significantly with UCCA after correction for the other variables. Third, we studied the correlation of UCCA with brain-related parameters. Brain volume correlated stronger with UCCA than TIV. Both volumes of the brain tissue compartments GM and WM correlated with UCCA significantly. WM volume explained variance of UCCA after correction for GM volume, whilst the opposite was not observed. Correspondingly, VBM did not yield any brain region, whose GM content correlated significantly with UCCA, whilst cerebral WM content of cerebrospinal tracts strongly correlated with UCCA. This latter effect increased along a craniocaudal gradient.

Conclusion

UCCA is mainly determined by brain volume as well as by WM content of cerebrospinal tracts.

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Title: Brain size and white matter content of cerebrospinal tracts determine the upper cervical cord area: evidence from structural brain MRI
Authors: Christina Engl
Paul Schmidt
Milan Arsic
Christine C. Boucard
Viola Biberacher
Michael Röttinger
Thorleif Etgen
Sabine Nunnemann
Nikolaos Koutsouleris
Maximilian Reiser
Eva M. Meisenzahl
Mark Mühlau
Publication date: 01-08-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Neuroradiology / Issue 8/2013
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-013-1204-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Brain size and white matter content of cerebrospinal tracts determine the upper cervical cord area: evidence from structural brain MRI

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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