Skip to main content

Imaging the multiple sclerosis lesion: insights into pathogenesis, progression and repair

imagePurpose of review Focal white matter lesions are the defining pathological and imaging hallmark of the multiple sclerosis. Until recently, elucidation of the pathophysiology of lesion formation, progression and repair has relied on point neuropathological observations. Here, we review current and emerging concepts of the MRI-defined multiple sclerosis lesion phenotype, advanced longitudinal imaging techniques that permit in-vivo exploration of dynamic microstructural change within lesions and emerging MRI measures of lesion repair. Recent findings Novel MRI techniques have elucidated dynamic features of the active multiple sclerosis lesion, defined imaging surrogates for chronic active lesions and revealed progressive microstructural change within chronic inactive lesions. Lesion-related anterograde, retrograde and trans-synaptic neurodegenerative mechanisms are being unravelled in vivo through MRI. An array of myelin-imaging techniques have emerged and in some cases have already been integrated into Phase 2 remyelination trials. Summary MRI has shed new light on dynamic processes that occur over the lifespan of the multiple sclerosis lesion, and reaffirms the critical role of focal pathology as a determinant of disease progression. The development of robust, longitudinal biomarkers of lesion microstructure, such as advanced diffusion imaging, will be especially important as the era of neurorepair trials in multiple sclerosis dawns.

from Current Opinion in Neurology - Current Issue http://bit.ly/2GMqkJj

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Menopause Symptoms Reduced by Cold Water Swimming

Cold water swimming significantly eases menopausal symptoms. Surveying 1114 women, with 785 experiencing menopause, researchers found improvements in anxiety, mood swings, low mood, and hot flushes among participants. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/9AqHsEa

Handwriting Boosts Brain Connectivity and Learning

Handwriting, compared to typing, results in more complex brain connectivity patterns, enhancing learning and memory. This study used EEG data from 36 students to compare brain activity while writing by hand and typing. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/0bklQBj

More Education, Longer Life: Global Study Reveals Link

A new study reveals that higher education levels significantly reduce the risk of death, regardless of age, sex, location, or background. Researchers found that each additional year of education decreases death risk by two percent, with 18 years of education lowering it by 34 percent. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/oeK38Fk