Optic nerve diffusion tensor imaging after acute optic neuritis predicts axonal and visual outcomes

Abstract

Background: Early markers of axonal and clinical outcomes are required for early phase testing of putative neuroprotective therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS). Objectives: To assess whether early measurement of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters (axial and radial diffusivity) within the optic nerve during and after acute demyelinating optic neuritis (ON) could predict axonal (retinal nerve fibre layer thinning and multi-focal visual evoked potential amplitude reduction) or clinical (visual acuity and visual field loss) outcomes at 6 or 12 months. Methods: Thirty-seven patients presenting with acute, unilateral ON were studied at baseline, one, three, six and 12 months using optic ne..