Studying Axonal Damage and Repair in Multiple Sclerosis Using Advanced MRI Techniques

What this Trial Is About

Multiple sclerosis MS is a long-term autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system, causing inflammation and damage to nerve fibers and their protective coverings. This research investigates differences in nerve fiber damage and repair between patients with active MS aMS and non-active progressive MS naPMS over two years. The study aims to improve understanding of disease progression and support future therapies by using advanced imaging techniques and histopathology to identify specific patterns of nerve damage and healing. Participants will undergo advanced MRI scans at the start and after two years, using multiple imaging methods such as Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging NODDI, Diffusion Kurtosis DK, Magnetization Transfer Imaging MTI, and others. These scans provide detailed information on nerve fiber structure, density, and organization. The study includes 200 MS patients split evenly between active and non-active progressive forms and 100 healthy volunteers for comparison. Blood samples and neurocognitive tests will also be performed at baseline and follow-up. During the study, participants will have MRI scans and cognitive assessments at baseline and two years later, with a small blood sample taken at the start. Researchers will use machine learning to analyze changes in nerve fiber integrity and organization. Additional tests will assess memory, attention, anxiety, and depression. The study will monitor participants over two years to evaluate how axonal damage and repair evolve in MS and healthy individuals, aiming to enhance disease monitoring and differentiate MS types effectively.

Imaging the Interplay Between Axonal Damage and Repair in Multiple Sclerosis