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Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Multicontrast MRI Quantification of Focal Inflammation and Degeneration in Multiple Sclerosis
Guillaume Bonnier1, Alexis Roche2, David Romascano3
1Advanced Clinical Imaging Technology Group, Siemens, Innovation Park, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; LTS5, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ; Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Introduction:
Local microstructural pathology in multiple sclerosis patients might influence their clinical performance. This study applied multicontrast MRI to quantify inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS lesions. We explored the impact of MRI-based lesion pathology in cognition and disability.
Methods:
36 relapsing-remitting MS subjects and 18 healthy controls underwent neurological, cognitive, behavioural examinations and 3 T MRI including (i) fluid attenuated inversion recovery, double inversion recovery, and magnetization-prepared gradient echo for lesion count; (ii) T1, T2, and T2(*) relaxometry and magnetisation transfer imaging for lesion tissue characterization. Lesions were classified according to the extent of inflammation/neurodegeneration. A generalized linear model assessed the contribution of lesion groups to clinical performances.
Results:
Four lesion groups were identified and characterized by (1) absence of significant alterations, (2) prevalent inflammation, (3) concomitant inflammation and microdegeneration, and (4) prevalent tissue loss. Groups 1, 3, 4 correlated with general disability (Adj-R (2) = 0.6; P = 0.0005), executive function (Adj-R (2) = 0.5; P = 0.004), verbal memory (Adj-R (2) = 0.4; P = 0.02), and attention (Adj-R (2) = 0.5; P = 0.002).
Conclusion:
Multicontrast MRI provides a new approach to infer in vivo histopathology of plaques. Our results support evidence that neurodegeneration is the major determinant of patients' disability and cognitive dysfunction.
Insights
Neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions, identified via multicontrast MRI, significantly impacts patient disability and cognitive function. This advanced imaging technique reveals lesion pathology correlating with clinical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is characterized by local microstructural pathology within lesions.
- Clinical performance in MS patients may be influenced by this underlying pathology.
- Quantifying inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS lesions is crucial for understanding disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply multicontrast MRI to characterize inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS lesions.
- To investigate the impact of MRI-defined lesion pathology on cognitive function and disability in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- 36 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 18 healthy controls underwent comprehensive clinical assessments.
- Advanced 3 Tesla MRI techniques, including FLAIR, DTI, GRE, T1/T2/T2(*) relaxometry, and MTI, were used for lesion quantification and tissue characterization.
- Lesions were classified into four groups based on inflammation and neurodegeneration extent.
Main Results:
- Four distinct lesion groups were identified: no significant alterations, prevalent inflammation, combined inflammation and microdegeneration, and prevalent tissue loss.
- Lesion groups characterized by significant alterations (Groups 1, 3, and 4) correlated significantly with general disability, executive function, verbal memory, and attention.
- Specific correlations demonstrated the impact of lesion pathology on key clinical outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Multicontrast MRI offers a novel in vivo method for assessing the histopathology of MS plaques.
- Neurodegeneration within MS lesions is a primary determinant of patient disability and cognitive impairment.
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