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Updated: Sep 21, 2025
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
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Quantitative magnetization transfer imaging in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and
Elizabeth N York1, Michael J Thrippleton1, Rozanna Meijboom1
1Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Brain Communications
|June 2, 2022
Summary
Magnetization transfer imaging reveals lower myelin levels in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients compared to controls. While not showing significant longitudinal changes, this MRI technique is sensitive to disease disability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Magnetization transfer (MT) imaging is a myelin-sensitive MRI technique frequently used in multiple sclerosis (MS) research.
- However, the impact of varying methodologies and MS subtypes on MT imaging findings remains unclear.
- This review focuses specifically on relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review brain imaging findings using magnetization transfer (MT) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
- To investigate how methodological differences and disease effects influence MT imaging measures in RRMS.
- To synthesize current evidence on MT imaging in RRMS, including comparisons with healthy controls and associations with disability.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of human in vivo quantitative MT imaging studies in adults with RRMS, published before June 2021.
- Searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science using terms 'magnetization transfer' and 'brain'.
- Extracted data on sample size, MRI acquisition parameters, treatments, and clinical findings; calculated effect sizes for meta-analyses.
Main Results:
- Eighty-six studies met inclusion criteria, revealing wide variability and underreporting of MRI acquisition parameters.
- Pooled meta-analysis showed significantly lower magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) in RRMS patients compared to healthy controls (1.17% units lower).
- No significant longitudinal change in MTR was observed; however, a significant negative association was found between MTR and clinical disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale).
Conclusions:
- Magnetization transfer imaging metrics are sensitive to pathological brain changes in RRMS, despite small effect sizes relative to inter-study variability.
- Methodological standardization and detailed reporting of MT acquisition protocols are recommended.
- Further research using larger cohorts and advanced MT techniques is warranted.
