Using Advanced MRI Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping to Differentiate White Matter Lesions in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis and Small Vessel Disease

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating an advanced MRI method called Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping QSM to better distinguish white matter lesions in people aged 50 to 70 with multiple sclerosis MS. In older adults with MS, white matter changes seen on MRI may be caused by MS or other conditions like age-related changes or chronic small vessel disease, which can look similar on standard MRI scans. This study aims to see if QSM can improve the accuracy of lesion characterization and clinical interpretation of MRI results in this population. Participants include two groups individuals with MS aged 50-70 undergoing routine clinical MRI with an added QSM sequence, and an age-comparable group with cerebral small vessel disease cSVD who will have a single MRI including QSM. The MS group will have longitudinal follow-up with repeated MRI and clinical assessments, while the cSVD group will have one study visit. Both groups will have cognitive and physical function tests alongside MRI exams. During the study, participants will undergo standard clinical MRI scans plus the QSM sequence, along with brief tests of cognitive processing speed, executive function, and physical abilities. Researchers will analyze lesion susceptibility characteristics from the MRI and explore links between these measures and clinical function. The main outcome is lesion-level quantitative susceptibility within white matter lesions at baseline. Follow-up assessments in the MS group will track changes in lesions and clinical scores through December 2030.

MRI-Based Lesion Differentiation in Older Patients With Multiple Sclerosis