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

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

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.