Magnetic resonance imaging of grey matter damage in people with MS

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neurology
• Neurodegeneration

Background:

• Classical view of multiple sclerosis (MS) focused on inflammatory-demyelinating white matter (WM) pathology.
• Emerging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence highlights significant grey matter (GM) involvement in MS.
• GM damage in MS shows only moderate correlation with WM pathology extent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize imaging-based quantification of GM damage in MS.
• To integrate findings from conventional and modern MRI techniques.
• To reflect the evolving understanding of MS as a global CNS condition.

Main Methods:

• Review of conventional MRI techniques for quantifying MS pathology.
• Application of modern imaging-based techniques to assess GM damage.
• Analysis of functional MRI (fMRI) study results.

Main Results:

• GM damage in MS includes focal lesions, diffuse abnormalities, and tissue loss.
• Quantification methods reveal substantial GM involvement.
• Findings challenge the traditional WM-centric view of MS.

Conclusions:

• MS is a global central nervous system (CNS) condition affecting both WM and GM.
• Neurodegeneration is an early and critical component of MS.
• A paradigm shift in MS understanding is driven by advanced neuroimaging.