High-resolution quantitative MRI of multiple sclerosis spinal cord lesions

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Histopathology
• Multiple Sclerosis Research

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system.
• Accurate imaging of myelin in the spinal cord is crucial for understanding MS pathology.
• Quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging offers potential for non-invasive myelin assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate quantitative MR imaging measures for myelin assessment in postmortem multiple sclerosis spinal cord samples.
• To compare high-resolution MR-derived myelin maps with histological staining.

Main Methods:

• Four fixed spinal cords were scanned using 3T and 7T MR scanners.
• A multicomponent-driven equilibrium single-pulse observation of T1 and T2 protocol generated quantitative maps (proton density, T1, T2, myelin water, intracellular water, free-water fraction).
• MR maps were quantitatively compared with histological stains (hematoxylin and eosin, myelin basic protein, neurofilament protein).

Main Results:

• High-resolution MR parameter maps demonstrated excellent correspondence with histological findings.
• Apparent proton density MRI showed particularly strong agreement with myelin basic protein staining.

Conclusions:

• High-resolution quantitative MRI of the spinal cord yields biologically meaningful measures.
• This MR approach could aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of MS lesions within the spinal cord.