Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Association between paramagnetic rim lesions and pulvinar iron depletion in persons with multiple sclerosis
Jack A Reeves1, Fahad Salman1, Maryam Mohebbi1
1Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States.
Background:
The deep gray matter (DGM), especially the pulvinar, and the white matter surrounding chronic active lesions have demonstrated depleted iron levels, indicating a possible mechanistic link. However, no studies have investigated the potential relationship between these phenomena.
Objectives:
The study aimed to determine whether PRLs were associated with pulvinar iron depletion and, if so, whether this relationship was spatially mediated.
Methods:
This retrospective analysis included 139 people with MS (pwMS) and 43 healthy controls (HCs) scanned at 3T MRI at baseline and after 5.4 ± 0.6 years. Pulvinar iron concentrations (cFe) and iron masses (mFe) were estimated from quantitative susceptibility maps and tested for associations with PRLs. A separate cohort of 96 pwMS with PRLs and propensity-matched HCs was included to evaluate peri‑plaque normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) abnormalities.
Results:
PRL number was associated with greater decline in pulvinar cFe (β = -0.265, p = 0.005) and mFe (β = -0.256, p = 0.006). Peri-plaque NAWM susceptibility was increased 11 mm surrounding PRLs, outside which shorter PRL-to-pulvinar distance was associated with greater decline in pulvinar cFe (β = 0.380, p = 0.005) and mFe (β = 0.348, p = 0.022).
Conclusions:
Our findings support a spatially-mediated relationship between PRLs and chronic pulvinar iron depletion.
