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Dynamic Visual Tests to Identify and Quantify Visual Damage and Repair Following Demyelination in Optic Neuritis Patients
Published on: April 14, 2014
Early MRI in optic neuritis: the risk for disability
J K Swanton1, K T Fernando, C M Dalton
1NMR Unit, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. j.swanton@ion.ucl.ac.uk
Neurology
|February 11, 2009
Summary
Early MRI scans showing spinal cord lesions, infratentorial lesions, or gadolinium-enhancing lesions in optic neuritis patients predict future disability. New T2 lesions also predict disability, with spinal cord lesions being key for those developing multiple sclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) risk is influenced by MRI findings in Optic Neuritis (ON) patients.
- The impact of these MRI findings on long-term disability is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine how early MRI lesion characteristics and non-lesion measures in ON patients predict future disability.
- To analyze the influence of lesion number, location, and activity on disability progression.
Main Methods:
- 106 ON patients were followed for 5 years, with 100 clinically evaluated.
- Baseline MRI (within 3 months) and 3-month follow-up MRI analyzed lesion data.
- Brain atrophy, magnetization transfer ratio, and spectroscopy were also assessed.
Main Results:
- At 6 years, 48% converted to clinically definite MS (CDMS).
- Spinal cord lesions (baseline) and new T2 lesions (follow-up) independently predicted higher disability.
- Gadolinium-enhancing lesions and infratentorial lesion number also predicted disability.
Conclusions:
- Early MRI findings (spinal cord, infratentorial, gadolinium lesions) and new T2 lesions predict 6-year disability after ON.
- Spinal cord lesions were the sole predictor of disability in patients who developed CDMS.
