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Multiple sclerosis

New imaging marker of brain leukocyte infiltration

Nature Reviews Neurology volume 13, pages 4–5 (2017)Cite this article

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Lesion formation in multiple sclerosis (MS) could be detected earlier with a new imaging technique recently reported in Science Translational Medicine. The PET-based approach visualizes areas of active leukocyte infiltration into the brain, providing a more specific marker of disease than current MRI methods.

Identification of active MS lesions currently relies on gadolinium-enhanced MRI, but as Lydia Sorokin, who led the new study together with molecular imaging expert Michael Schäfers, points out, this technique has limitations. “This method reveals blood vessels where the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is damaged, but does not reveal the level of inflammation and can also mark vessels that are damaged due to earlier inflammation that is resolved,” she says. In the new study, Sorokin and colleagues aimed to develop an imaging technique with improved speficity.

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References

  1. Gerwien, H. et al. Imaging matrix metalloproteinase activity in multiple sclerosis as a specific marker of leukocyte penetration of the blood–brain barrier. Sci. Transl. Med. 364ra152 (2016)

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  1. Ian Fyfe
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Fyfe, I. New imaging marker of brain leukocyte infiltration. Nat Rev Neurol 13, 4–5 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.183

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.183

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