New MRI markers of MS progression
We currently monitor MS progression based on relapses and appearance of new areas of damage (known as ‘lesions’) on MRI scans. But we know that some people with MS will experience worsening disability despite no new lesions or relapses.
MRI can actually tell us far more information than just how many lesions a person has. There are two other features that we can spot on MRI scans that could be used to help track how MS is progressing:
- Slowly expanding lesions (SELs)- These are lesions that are expanding in size. These have been linked to worsening disability.
- Iron rim lesions (IRLs)- These are regions of inflammation. Rasha and the team have shown that they only appear in half of people with MS and are linked to worse disability later on.
About the project
Rasha and her team will use a powerful MRI scanner to rescan participants who were scanned 10-15 years ago as part of an ongoing study. Participants will also have a clinical assessment. The team will study how common these different lesions are. As well as how they change over time, and whether they are connected to disability. The team will combine this information to determine whether SELs and IRLs are good markers of MS progression.
How will it help people with MS?
This study could improve how we measure MS progression. If the team show that these lesion features are a reliable marker of MS progression, this could help doctors to better monitor MS progression, predict how someone’s MS might progress, and make more informed treatment decisions. They could also be used in clinical trials to monitor how effective potential new treatments are.
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