Prospective Cohort Study of Clinical and Imaging Patterns of Neuroinflammation Diseases Using Advanced MRI Techniques to Track Brain and Spinal Cord Changes Over One Year

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying patients with neuroinflammatory and demyelination diseases such as clinical isolated syndrome, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disorders. The study aims to observe structural and functional changes in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve, as well as the inflammatory environment, using advanced imaging techniques. These neurological conditions involve autoimmune inflammation leading to damage in nerve coverings and nerve cells, which may cause long-term disability. Participants will undergo new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods including double inversion recovery (DIR) imaging, diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), and resting-state functional imaging using 3T MRI. They will also receive T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR, and SWI sequences on 7T MRI. The study does not restrict treatment methods; patients may receive high-dose intravenous steroid therapy in the acute stage and immunomodulatory treatments like Azathioprine, Mycophenolate Mofetil, or Rituximab during remission. Participants will have MRI scans at the acute stage and follow-up visits at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year to monitor changes over time. Researchers will assess brain and spinal cord structural changes, spinal cord changes, and functional changes by comparing baseline MRI with follow-up MRIs taken on admission day, discharge after 180 days, and follow-up at 360 days. Clinical data, inflammatory markers, and treatment effects will be evaluated throughout the study period.

Clinical and Imaging Cohort of Neuroinflammation Diseases in China (CLUE)