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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Advanced Multicompartment Diffusion MRI Models and Their Application in Multiple Sclerosis
D A Lakhani1,2,3, K G Schilling4, J Xu4
1From the Neuroimaging Unit (D.A.L., F.B.), Neuroimmunology Division, Department of Neurology.
Abstract:
Conventional MR imaging techniques are sensitive to pathologic changes of the brain and spinal cord seen in MS, but they lack specificity for underlying axonal and myelin integrity. By isolating the signal contribution from different tissue compartments, newly developed advanced multicompartment diffusion MR imaging models have the potential to detect specific tissue subtypes and associated injuries with increased pathologic specificity. These models include neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, diffusion basis spectrum imaging, multicompartment microscopic diffusion MR imaging with the spherical mean technique, and models enabled through high-gradient diffusion MR imaging. In this review, we provide an appraisal of the current literature on the physics principles, histopathologic validation, and clinical applications of each of these techniques in both brains and spinal cords of patients with MS. We discuss limitations of each of the methods and directions that future research could take to provide additional validation of their roles as biomarkers of axonal and myelin injury in MS.
Insights
Advanced diffusion MRI models offer greater specificity for detecting axonal and myelin damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain and spinal cord injuries. These techniques show promise as biomarkers for MS pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Conventional MRI shows MS-related brain and spinal cord changes but lacks specificity for axonal and myelin integrity.
- Advanced diffusion MRI models can isolate tissue compartment signals, potentially improving specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advanced multicompartment diffusion MRI techniques for MS.
- To appraise their physics, histopathologic validation, and clinical applications in MS.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI), and multicompartment microscopic diffusion MRI (MCM-dMRI) with spherical mean technique (SMT).
- Inclusion of high-gradient diffusion MRI models.
- Focus on applications in MS brain and spinal cord.
Main Results:
- Advanced models offer potential for detecting specific tissue subtypes and injuries with higher specificity than conventional MRI.
- Techniques reviewed include NODDI, DBSI, MCM-dMRI with SMT, and high-gradient diffusion MRI.
Conclusions:
- These advanced diffusion MRI models show promise as biomarkers for axonal and myelin injury in MS.
- Further validation is needed to establish their clinical roles in MS.
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