Quantitative T₁ brain mapping in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: longitudinal changes, lesion...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Multiple Sclerosis Research
• Quantitative MRI

Background:

• Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) involves progressive brain microstructural damage.
• Early detection of these changes is crucial for disease management and prognosis.
• Current methods may not fully capture subtle, early pathological alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify longitudinal brain microstructural changes in recently diagnosed RRMS using T1 mapping.
• To assess the association between these T1-derived measures and clinical disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale - EDSS).

Main Methods:

• Seventy-nine recently diagnosed RRMS patients underwent baseline and 1-year brain MRI with T1 mapping.
• T1 values were measured in white matter lesions (WML), normal-appearing white matter (NAWM), and grey matter (GM) regions.
• Longitudinal changes in T1 measures and their correlation with EDSS scores were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Prolonged and supramedian T1 WML components significantly increased over one year (p < .001).
• Increased T1 in WML, NAWM, and GM structures correlated with higher EDSS scores at baseline and follow-up.
• Specific T1 increases in lesions and normal-appearing parenchyma were associated with disability worsening.

Conclusions:

• Quantitative T1 mapping is sensitive to early microstructural changes in RRMS.
• T1 alterations in both lesions and normal-appearing brain tissue are linked to clinical disability.
• T1 mapping offers a promising tool for objective characterization and stratification of early MS.