GAMER-MRI and modified Layer-wise Relevance Propagation identify on quantitative MRI regions sensitive to clinical disability in MS patients
The decision process of artificial intelligence is elusive. We proposed a new method that by combining an attention-based convolutional neural network (GAMER-MRI) with the modified Layer-wise Relevance Propagation could reveal relevant regions on quantitative imaging maps in differentiating multiple sclerosis patients with mild-moderate and severe disabilities. The assessment of the relevant regions included the impact of inverting values within the regions and the heatmap on the MNI152 template. Our results show good network performance and identify brain regions relevant to the corticospinal tract. The proposed method might be useful to further explore patterns of brain microstructural alterations associated with disability.