Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Association of paramagnetic rim lesions and retinal layer thickness in patients with multiple sclerosis
Nik Krajnc1, Assunta Dal-Bianco2, Fritz Leutmezer2
1Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria/Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia/Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Background:
Paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) are chronic active lesions associated with a more severe disease course in multiple sclerosis (MS). Retinal layer thinning measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a biomarker of neuroaxonal damage associated with disability progression in MS.
Objective:
We aimed to determine a potential association between OCT parameters (peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), inner nuclear layer (INL) thickness), and PRLs in patients with MS (pwMS).
Methods:
In this cross-sectional retrospective study, we included pwMS with both 3T brain MRI and an OCT scan. Regression models were calculated with OCT parameters (pRNFL, GCIPL, INL) as dependent variables, and the number of PRLs as an independent variable adjusted for covariates.
Results:
We analyzed data from 107 pwMS (mean age 34.7 years (SD 10.9), 64.5% female, median disease duration 6 years (IQR 1-13), median EDSS 1.5 (range 0-6.5)). Higher number of PRLs was associated with lower pRNFL (β = -0.18; 95% CI -0.98, -0.03; p = 0.038) and GCIPL thickness (β = -0.21; 95% CI -0.58, -0.02; p = 0.039).
Conclusion:
The association between higher number of PRLs and lower pRNFL and GCIPL thicknesses provides additional evidence that pwMS with PRLs are affected by a more pronounced neurodegenerative process.
Insights
Paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) correlate with reduced retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness. This suggests a more severe neurodegenerative process in patients with MS and PRLs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Radiology
Background:
- Paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) are indicative of active, chronic disease in multiple sclerosis (MS), correlating with a more severe clinical trajectory.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures retinal layer thinning, serving as a biomarker for neuroaxonal damage and disability progression in MS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between OCT-derived retinal parameters and the presence of PRLs in individuals with MS (pwMS).
- Specifically, to examine the relationship between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), and inner nuclear layer (INL) thickness and the number of PRLs.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional retrospective study design was employed, including 107 pwMS with both 3T brain MRI and OCT scans.
- Regression models were utilized to assess the relationship between OCT parameters (pRNFL, GCIPL, INL) as dependent variables and the number of PRLs as the independent variable, with adjustments for relevant covariates.
Main Results:
- A higher number of PRLs was significantly associated with reduced pRNFL thickness (β = -0.18, p = 0.038) and GCIPL thickness (β = -0.21, p = 0.039).
- No significant association was found with inner nuclear layer (INL) thickness.
Conclusions:
- The observed association between an increased number of PRLs and thinner pRNFL and GCIPL further supports the hypothesis that pwMS with PRLs experience a more significant neurodegenerative process.
- PRLs may serve as a valuable indicator of underlying neurodegeneration in MS, detectable through retinal imaging.
