New MRI technique can facilitate disability prediction in multiple sclerosis patients: Study

UK: Advanced MRI techniques can aid in detecting very early changes in the brain of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) this may lead to more accurate predictions about the progression of the disease, a recent study has revealed. 

The findings of the study published in the journal Brain may provide valuable insights into its pathophysiology.

MS is a long-term disease that can cause a range of symptoms, including vision problems, fatigue, pain, numbness, and motility problems. The disease is unpredictable and different for everyone and uncertainty of the condition's development -- both in terms of severity and symptoms -- is often a major cause of concern for the affected people. This uncertainty is also dependent on the fact that MRI which is the primary tool for diagnosing and follow up of MS patients can only see a small part of the complex MS damage that occurs.

Sara Collorone, University College London, London, UK, and colleagues used multi-parametric quantitative MRI to detect alterations in brain tissues of patients with their first demyelinating episode. The researchers acquired neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging [to investigate morphology of neurites (dendrites and axons)] and 23Na MRI (to estimate total sodium concentration, a reflection of underlying changes in metabolic function).

The researchers enrolled 42 patients diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome or multiple sclerosis within 3 months of their first demyelinating event and 16 healthy controls. Physical and cognitive scales were assessed. At 3 T acquired brain and spinal cord structural scans, and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging were acquired. Thirty-two patients and 13 healthy controls also underwent brain 23Na MRI.

 Neurite density and orientation dispersion indices and total sodium concentration in brain normal-appearing white matter, white matter lesions, and grey matter were measured. 

"As brain volumes were neither altered nor related to disability in patients, our findings suggest that these two advanced MRI techniques are more sensitive at detecting clinically relevant pathology in early multiple sclerosis," concluded the authors. 

Reference:

The study titled, "Brain microstructural and metabolic alterations detected in vivo at onset of the first demyelinating event," is published in the journal Brain.

DOI: https://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/brain/awab043/6246099