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Updated: May 23, 2026
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Association between pathological and MRI findings in multiple sclerosis.
Massimo Filippi1, Maria A Rocca, Frederik Barkhof
1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. m.filippi@hsr.it
The Lancet. Neurology
|March 24, 2012
Summary
Researchers are using MRI to better understand the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). This helps identify new therapeutic targets by visualizing central nervous system (CNS) involvement and previously overlooked aspects like grey matter and vascular pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Radiology
Background:
- Identifying therapeutic targets in multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial.
- Traditional pathological assessment is limited by tissue availability.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is vital for in vivo assessment of CNS involvement in MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate pathological findings with MRI data in MS.
- To define the in vivo pathological substrates of MS lesions and normal-appearing white matter.
- To identify previously neglected aspects of MS pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Correlative pathological and MRI studies.
- In vivo assessment of brain and spinal cord in MS patients.
- Analysis of focal lesions and normal-appearing white matter.
Main Results:
- MRI allows ante mortem visualization of CNS involvement in MS.
- Studies have defined in vivo pathological substrates in brain and spinal cord.
- Grey matter involvement and vascular pathology in MS have been identified.
Conclusions:
- MRI is a leading tool for assessing MS pathology in vivo.
- Correlative studies have revealed key aspects of MS pathophysiology.
- Further research is needed to link MS pathology to fixed neurological disability.
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