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Updated: May 6, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Volumetric Examination of MS Plaques and Correlation with EDSS Ratings
S Gurwara1, B Hailey, A Thompson
1Departments of Radiology and Neurology, LSUHSC-S; Shreveport, LA, USA - EGonz1@lsuhsc.edu.
Abstract:
This study is a retrospective analysis of 17 patients with multiple sclerosis. The total volume of plaques from three different MR image sets of the brain was correlated with the EDSS ratings of the patients. Each of the correlations showed a positive relationship, but none was statistically significant. A more extensive study is required in order to give significance to these relationships.
Insights
This study found a positive correlation between multiple sclerosis plaque volume and patient disability, but it was not statistically significant. Further research with more patients is needed to confirm these findings.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- Brain lesion volume on MRI is a potential biomarker for MS progression.
- The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is a standard measure of MS-related disability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between total brain plaque volume and EDSS scores in patients with multiple sclerosis.
- To determine if MRI-derived plaque volume correlates with clinical disability in MS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 17 patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
- Quantification of total plaque volume from three different MRI scan sets.
- Correlation analysis between plaque volume and EDSS ratings.
Main Results:
- A positive relationship was observed between total plaque volume and EDSS scores in all correlation analyses.
- None of the observed positive relationships reached statistical significance.
- The study included a small sample size of 17 patients.
Conclusions:
- While a trend suggests larger plaque volumes are associated with higher EDSS scores, the findings are not statistically significant.
- A larger, more extensive study is required to establish statistical significance and confirm the relationship between MS plaque volume and disability.
- Further research is warranted to explore the utility of MRI plaque volume as a predictive biomarker in multiple sclerosis.
