MRI Predicts Disease Course in Multiple Sclerosis
Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, collaborating with the Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center, evaluated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to investigate the capability of this imaging modality as a predictive tool. The group published findings from their research in the journal Radiology.
Patients with MS often have hypertense lesions documented with T1-weighted images from MRI. The correlation between lesions and other factors related to disease manifestations, such as rate of progression, level of disability, and neurological atrophy, was the subject of the team’s investigation.
To assess the relationship among these factors, the team evaluated MRI studies from almost 150 patients with MS. Patients with both types of disease, secondary-progressive (SP) and relapsing-remitting (RR), were evaluated in this effort. 92 of the patients had RR and 49 had SP disease. Lesions were identified in comparison to nonenhanced images, considering white matter.
Among 113 patients that participated in the study, 340 different lesions were identified. Patients with SP were more likely to have lesions, a statistically significant finding. SP patients were also more likely to have multiple lesions compared to patients with RR MS. The number of lesions was also positively correlated with both level of brain atrophy and the patient’s level of disability, as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale.
The team also evaluated the relationship between brain atrophy and the lesions, after adjusting for the type of disease. There was a statistically significant relationship between these factors.
The researchers indicate that these findings suggest that hypertense lesions may be an important biomarker. They further stressed the utility of this imaging modality as a tool to aid in diagnosis, as well as monitor disease.
Additional analysis considered the imaging modality itself. There were no effects on the ability of MRI to detect lesions associated with either spin-echo method or imager type.
The team’s research is funded by a number of agencies, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, as well as the National Science Foundation.
August 29, 2007 Related topics: Imaging, Diagnostic, Radiology, Psychiatry & Neurology