Contributions
Abstract: 130
Type: Oral
Measures derived from conventional MRI techniques have significant utility in the clinical management of patients living with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, these imaging approaches have limited value in the characterization of neuroprotection and repair. In 2016, standardized imaging approaches for neuroprotection and repair remain an unmet need in MS, particularly for MS therapeutic trials of novel agents with possible remyelinating or neuroprotective properties. Encouragingly, a number of advanced, quantitative MRI techniques have emerged as potential biomarkers of neuroprotection and repair. These techniques can be largely divided into three categories, including: those that primarily quantify either myelin integrity, axonal integrity, or neuronal activity. Techniques that will be discussed include: magnetization transfer imaging, myelin water imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (including diffusion kurtosis and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging [NODDI]), compartment-specific measures of atrophy, 3-Tesla multivoxel MR spectroscopy targeting glutamate, positron-emission tomography utilizing myelin-specific radioligands, and functional MRI. Each technique will be discussed with a focus on strengths, limitations, and potential clinical applications. With further validation, a number of these techniques may prove to be have utility in early MS therapeutic trials, in investigational settings to provide needed insight into early disease mechanisms, and eventually, in clinical practice.
Disclosure: I have received research funding from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Decker Family Transitional Career Development Award, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Biogen-Idec and personal compensation for consulting or speaking from EMD-Serono, Sanofi-Genzyme, Biogen-Idec, Novartis, Teva, and Roche.
Abstract: 130
Type: Oral
Measures derived from conventional MRI techniques have significant utility in the clinical management of patients living with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, these imaging approaches have limited value in the characterization of neuroprotection and repair. In 2016, standardized imaging approaches for neuroprotection and repair remain an unmet need in MS, particularly for MS therapeutic trials of novel agents with possible remyelinating or neuroprotective properties. Encouragingly, a number of advanced, quantitative MRI techniques have emerged as potential biomarkers of neuroprotection and repair. These techniques can be largely divided into three categories, including: those that primarily quantify either myelin integrity, axonal integrity, or neuronal activity. Techniques that will be discussed include: magnetization transfer imaging, myelin water imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (including diffusion kurtosis and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging [NODDI]), compartment-specific measures of atrophy, 3-Tesla multivoxel MR spectroscopy targeting glutamate, positron-emission tomography utilizing myelin-specific radioligands, and functional MRI. Each technique will be discussed with a focus on strengths, limitations, and potential clinical applications. With further validation, a number of these techniques may prove to be have utility in early MS therapeutic trials, in investigational settings to provide needed insight into early disease mechanisms, and eventually, in clinical practice.
Disclosure: I have received research funding from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Decker Family Transitional Career Development Award, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Biogen-Idec and personal compensation for consulting or speaking from EMD-Serono, Sanofi-Genzyme, Biogen-Idec, Novartis, Teva, and Roche.