Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
A longitudinal study of T1 hypointense lesions in relapsing MS: MSCRG trial of interferon beta-1a. Multiple Sclerosis
J H Simon1, J Lull, L D Jacobs
1Department of Radiology-MRI, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA. Jack.Simon@uchsc.edu
Background:
T1 hypointense lesions (T1 black holes) are focal areas of relatively severe CNS tissue damage detected by MRI in patients with MS.
Objective:
To determine the natural history of T1 hypointense lesions in relapsing MS and the utility of T1 hypointense lesions as outcome measures in MS clinical trials.
Methods:
MR studies were from the Multiple Sclerosis Collaborative Research Group trial. Longitudinal results are reported in 80 placebo- and 80 interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a)-treated patients with mild to moderate disability relapsing-remitting MS.
Results:
There was a small but significant correlation between T1 hypointense lesion volume and disability at baseline and on trial (r = 0.22, r = 0.28). In placebo patients there was a 29.2% increase in the mean volume of T1 hypointense lesions (median 124.5 mm3) over 2 years (p < 0.001 for change from baseline), as compared to an 11.8% increase (median 40 mm3) in the IFNbeta-1a-treated patients (change from baseline not significant). These treatment group comparisons did not quite reach significance. The most significant contributor to change in T1 hypointense lesions was the baseline number of enhancing lesions (model r2 = 0.554). Placebo patients with more active disease, defined by enhancing lesions at baseline, were the only group to show a significant increase in T1 hypointense lesion volume from baseline.
Conclusion:
The development of T1 hypointense lesions is strongly influenced by prior inflammatory disease activity, as indicated by enhancing lesions. These results suggest that treatment with once weekly IM IFNbeta-1a (30 mcg) slows the 2-year accumulation of these lesions in the brain.
Insights
T1 hypointense lesions, indicating severe brain damage in multiple sclerosis (MS), increase significantly in untreated patients. Interferon beta-1a treatment slows the accumulation of these lesions over two years.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging in Multiple Sclerosis
- Clinical Trial Outcomes in Neurological Diseases
Background:
- T1 hypointense lesions, or "black holes," represent severe central nervous system (CNS) tissue damage in MS patients.
- These lesions are detectable via Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the natural progression of T1 hypointense lesions in relapsing-remitting MS.
- To evaluate the utility of T1 hypointense lesions as outcome measures in MS clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal MRI data from the Multiple Sclerosis Collaborative Research Group trial.
- Analysis included 80 placebo and 80 interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a) treated patients with mild to moderate disability.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in T1 hypointense lesion volume was observed in placebo patients over 2 years (29.2% increase).
- Interferon beta-1a treated patients showed a smaller increase (11.8%), though group comparison lacked significance.
- Baseline enhancing lesions, indicative of active inflammation, were the strongest predictor of T1 hypointense lesion volume change.
Conclusions:
- Prior inflammatory activity, evidenced by enhancing lesions, significantly influences T1 hypointense lesion development.
- Once-weekly intramuscular interferon beta-1a (30 mcg) appears to slow the accumulation of T1 hypointense lesions over two years in MS patients.
