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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Brain MRI lesion load at 1.5T and 3T versus clinical status in multiple sclerosis
James M Stankiewicz1, Bonnie I Glanz, Brian C Healy
1Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Brookline, Massachusetts 02445, USA. jstankiewicz@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
Background/Purpose:
To assess correlation between brain lesions and clinical status with 1.5T and 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods:
Brain MRI fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) sequences were performed in 32 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (mean±standard deviation) was 2±2.0 (range 0-8), disease duration 9.3±8.0 (range .8-29) years.
Results:
FLAIR lesion volume (FLLV) at 3T was higher than at 1.5T (P=.01). Correlation between 1.5T FLLV and EDSS score was poor, while 3T FLLV correlated moderately and significantly (rs=.39, P=.03). When controlling for age and depression, correlations between FLLV and cognitive measures were significant at 1.5T for the Judgment of Line Orientation test (JLO) (rs=-.44, P=.05), the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) (rs=-.49, P=.02), and the California Verbal Learning Test Delayed Free Recall (CVLT DR) (rs=-.44, P=.04). Correlations at 3T were also significant for these tests, but of greater magnitude: JLO (rs=-.70, P=.0005), SDMT (rs=-.73, P=.0001), CVLT DR (rs=-.061, P=.003). Additional significant correlations obtained only at 3T included the 2 second-paced auditory serial addition test (rs=-.55, P=.01), the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Delayed Free Recall (rs=-.56, P=.007), and the California Verbal Learning Test Total Recall (rs=-.42, P=.05).
Conclusion:
MRI at 3T may boost sensitivity and improve validity in MS brain lesion assessment.
Insights
Higher magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) field strength (3T) better detects multiple sclerosis (MS) brain lesions and correlates with clinical status compared to 1.5T MRI. This 3T MRI approach may improve MS assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- Accurate assessment of brain lesions is crucial for MS management.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a key tool for visualizing MS lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between brain lesion volume and clinical status in MS patients.
- To compare the effectiveness of 1.5 Tesla (1.5T) and 3 Tesla (3T) MRI in assessing these correlations.
Main Methods:
- 32 patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) underwent brain MRI using fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) sequences at both 1.5T and 3T.
- Clinical status was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
- Correlation analyses were performed between FLAIR Lesion Load Volume (FLLV) and EDSS scores, controlling for age and depression.
Main Results:
- FLAIR Lesion Load Volume (FLLV) was significantly higher at 3T MRI compared to 1.5T MRI.
- 3T MRI demonstrated moderate and significant correlations between FLLV and EDSS scores, unlike 1.5T MRI.
- 3T MRI revealed stronger correlations between FLLV and various cognitive tests (JLO, SDMT, CVLT DR) than 1.5T MRI, with additional significant findings unique to 3T.
Conclusions:
- 3T MRI offers enhanced sensitivity for detecting MS brain lesions compared to 1.5T MRI.
- Higher field strength MRI (3T) improves the validity of correlating brain lesions with clinical and cognitive status in MS.
- 3T MRI represents a potentially superior tool for comprehensive MS assessment.
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01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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