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Published on: March 1, 2017
Seeing is believing: in vivo evolution of multiple sclerosis pathology with magnetic resonance
1Department of Radiology, Center for Biomedical Imaging, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. yulin.ge@med.nyu.edu
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered a prototypical inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that affects both myelin and axon. One of the most challenging aspects of MS is understanding the nature and mechanism of tissue injury because inflammation, demyelination, axonal degeneration, microvascular injury, and atrophy are all identified in histopathologic studies. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides an in vivo examination of the brain that directly defines the extent of the pathology. In recent years, extensive MR studies have had a major impact on MS not only in making an early diagnosis but also in understanding of the disease. By exploiting the natural history and histopathologic correlation, conventional and various novel quantitative MR techniques have demonstrated the ability to image underlying pathological processes in MS. This review examines the role of different MR techniques in going beyond anatomical imaging and produces a more comprehensive overview of the pathophysiological changes which occur and evolve in MS.
Insights
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging aids in diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) and understanding its pathology. Advanced MR techniques offer insights into central nervous system tissue injury beyond anatomical changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system autoimmune disease impacting myelin and axons.
- Histopathology reveals inflammation, demyelination, axonal degeneration, microvascular injury, and atrophy in MS.
- Understanding MS tissue injury mechanisms remains challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To explore how MR techniques provide insights into pathophysiological changes in MS.
- To examine MR's contribution beyond anatomical imaging for a comprehensive disease overview.
Main Methods:
- Review of conventional and novel quantitative MR techniques.
- Correlation of MR findings with MS natural history and histopathology.
- Analysis of MR's capability in in vivo examination of brain pathology.
Main Results:
- MR imaging is crucial for early MS diagnosis and disease comprehension.
- Quantitative MR techniques can visualize underlying pathological processes in MS.
- MR imaging provides a detailed view of MS-related brain pathology.
Conclusions:
- MR imaging is indispensable for understanding multiple sclerosis.
- Advanced MR techniques offer a comprehensive view of MS pathophysiology.
- MR imaging facilitates a deeper understanding of tissue injury in MS.
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