MRI-Based Lesion Differentiation in Older Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Summary

This study investigates whether an advanced MRI technique called Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) can improve the differentiation of white matter lesions in people aged 50-70 years with multiple sclerosis (MS). In older individuals with MS, white matter changes seen on MRI may be related to MS or to other types of white matter changes, most commonly age-related changes or chronic small vessel disease. These conditions can appear similar on conventional MRI scans, making interpretation challenging. Participants will undergo routine clinical MRI, including a short additional QSM sequence, as well as brief cognitive and physical assessments. A comparison group with cerebral small vessel disease will also be included. The goal of the study is to determine whether QSM can provide more precise lesion characterization and support more accurate clinical interpretation of MRI findings in older patients with MS.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria Multiple Sclerosis (MS) cohort (AgeMS):

* Age 50-70 years
* Clinically confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
* Participation in the AgeMS study at Oslo University Hospital

Inclusion Criteria Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (cSVD) control cohort:

* Age 50-80 years
* Radiological evidence of hypertensive small vessel disease on MRI
* Good clinical recovery following transient ischemic attack (TIA), minor stroke, or stroke mimic diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria Multiple Sclerosis (MS) cohort:

* MRI contraindications
* Severe psychiatric comorbidity
* Major functional disability unrelated to MS or CSVD

Exclusion Criteria Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (cSVD) control cohort:

* MRI contraindications
* Probable or definite cerebral amyloid angiopathy according to Boston criteria 2.0
* Genetic or inflammatory vasculopathies
* Persistent neurological deficits
* Severe psychiatric comorbidity
* Major functional disability unrelated to CSVD

Conditions3

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