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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Gadofluorine M enhancement allows more sensitive detection of inflammatory CNS lesions than T2-w imaging: a
Martin Bendszus1, Gesa Ladewig, Leonie Jestaedt
1Department of Neuroradiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. martin.bendszus@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
Abstract:
Magnetic resonance imaging plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of multiple sclerosis. Currently available magnetic resonance-techniques only partly reflect the extent of tissue inflammation and damage. In the present study, application of the experimental magnetic resonance-contrast agent Gadofluorine M significantly increased the sensitivity of lesion detection in myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model for multiple sclerosis. Gadofluorine M-enhancement on T(1)-weighted (T(1)-w) images utilizing a clinical 1.5 T magnetic resonance unit showed numerous lesions in optic nerve, spinal cord and brain, the majority of which were not detectable on standard T(2)-weighted (T(2)-w) and Gd-DTPA enhanced T(1)-w sequences. Quantitative assessment by pixel counts revealed highly significant differences in sensitivity in favour of Gadofluorine M. Gadofluorine uptake closely corresponded to inflammation and demyelination on tissue sections. These unique features of Gadofluorine M in visualizing inflammatory CNS lesions hold promise for future clinical development in multiple sclerosis.
Insights
A new contrast agent, Gadofluorine M, significantly improves magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sensitivity for detecting multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions in the central nervous system (CNS). This agent visualizes inflammation and demyelination more effectively than standard MRI techniques.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and monitoring.
- Current MRI techniques have limitations in fully assessing MS-related tissue inflammation and damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the experimental MRI contrast agent Gadofluorine M.
- To assess Gadofluorine M's ability to enhance lesion detection in an animal model of MS.
Main Methods:
- Utilized myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as an MS animal model.
- Applied Gadofluorine M contrast enhancement on T(1)-weighted (T(1)-w) MRI sequences using a 1.5 T clinical scanner.
- Compared Gadofluorine M-enhanced images with standard T(2)-weighted (T(2)-w) and Gd-DTPA enhanced T(1)-w sequences.
Main Results:
- Gadofluorine M significantly increased sensitivity for detecting lesions in the optic nerve, spinal cord, and brain.
- Numerous lesions visualized with Gadofluorine M were undetectable by standard MRI sequences.
- Quantitative analysis confirmed Gadofluorine M's superior sensitivity, with uptake correlating to inflammation and demyelination.
Conclusions:
- Gadofluorine M demonstrates enhanced capability in visualizing inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) lesions in MS.
- The agent's performance suggests significant potential for future clinical applications in multiple sclerosis management.
