Abstract
Although the correlations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and long-term disease evolution range from poor to moderate, conventional pre- and post-contrast MRI provides sensitive and reliable measures to monitor multiple sclerosis (MS) activity over time. MRI pulse sequences that have been recently introduced have shorter acquisition times and their use in large-scale studies can significantly decrease their costs in terms of both working load and patients' discomfort. The application of non-conventional techniques can increase the pathological specificity of MRI findings and, as a consequence, improve the relationship with the clinical evolution of the disease. These techniques also enable us to quantify the subtle abnormalities occuring in the so-called normal-appearing white matter, thus allowing a more accurate assessment of MS burden to be achieved. Some of these techniques have already shown their value for assessing MS dynamics, whereas other still need to go through a more complete validation process prior to any extensive clinical application in MS. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of the Neurological Sciences |
Volume | 172 |
Issue number | SUPPL. 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 15 2000 |
Keywords
- Diffusion-weighted imaging
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- Magnetization transfer imaging
- Multiple sclerosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ageing
- Clinical Neurology
- Surgery
- Neuroscience(all)
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Neurology