Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Dynamic Visual Tests to Identify and Quantify Visual Damage and Repair Following Demyelination in Optic Neuritis Patients
Published on: April 14, 2014
Choroid plexus volume differentiates MS from its mimics
Elle Levit1,2, Zheng Ren3, Virgilio Gonzenbach3
1Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
Abstract:
This study aimed to determine whether choroid plexus volume (CPV) could differentiate multiple sclerosis (MS) from its mimics. A secondary analysis of two previously enrolled studies, 50 participants with MS and 64 with alternative diagnoses were included. CPV was automatically segmented from 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), followed by manual review to remove misclassified tissue. Mean normalized choroid plexus volume (nCPV) to intracranial volume demonstrated relatively high specificity for MS participants in each cohort (0.80 and 0.76) with an area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve of 0.71 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.55-0.87) and 0.65 (95% CI = 0.52-0.77). In this preliminary study, nCPV differentiated MS from its mimics.
Insights
Normalized choroid plexus volume (nCPV) can help differentiate multiple sclerosis (MS) from conditions with similar symptoms. This preliminary study shows nCPV has high specificity in distinguishing MS patients from mimics using MRI scans.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other neurological conditions.
- Accurate differentiation is crucial for timely and appropriate treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of choroid plexus volume (CPV) in differentiating MS from its mimics.
- To assess the diagnostic performance of normalized CPV (nCPV) using 3T MRI.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of data from 50 MS patients and 64 patients with alternative diagnoses.
- Automated segmentation of CPV from 3T MRI, followed by manual correction.
- Calculation of mean nCPV relative to intracranial volume.
Main Results:
- nCPV demonstrated high specificity for MS in both cohorts (0.80 and 0.76).
- Area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.71 and 0.65, indicating moderate diagnostic ability.
- nCPV showed potential in differentiating MS from mimic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Normalized choroid plexus volume is a promising imaging biomarker for distinguishing MS from other neurological disorders.
- Further research with larger cohorts is warranted to validate these preliminary findings.
