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Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) has been used successfully over the years to investigate the peripheral nervous system (PNS) because it allows early detection and precise localisation of neural tissue damage. However, studies demonstrating the feasibility of combining MRN with multi-parametric quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) methods, which provide more specific information related to nerve tissue composition and microstructural organisation, can be invaluable. The translation of emerging qMRI methods previously validated in the central nervous system to the PNS offers real potential to characterise in patients in vivo the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involved in a plethora of conditions of the PNS. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of combining MRN with qMRI to measure diffusion, magnetisation transfer and relaxation properties of the healthy sciatic nerve in vivo using a unified signal readout protocol. The reproducibility of the multi-parametric qMRI protocol as well as normative qMRI measures in the healthy sciatic nerve are reported. The findings presented herein pave the way to the practical implementation of joint MRN-qMRI in future studies of pathological conditions affecting the PNS.

Evidence underlines the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Based on the fact that miRNAs are present in human biological fluids, we previously showed that miR-223, miR-23a and miR-15b levels were downregulated in the sera of MS patients versus controls. Here, the expression levels of these candidate miRNAs were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the serum of MS patients, in addition to three genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Mapping in the genomic regions of miR-223, miR-23a and miR-15b genes, 399 cases and 420 controls were tested. Expression levels of miR-223 and miR-23a were altered in PBMCs from MS patients versus controls. Conversely, there were no differences in the expression levels of miR-15b. A significantly decreased genotypic frequency of miR-223 rs1044165 T/T genotype was observed in MS patients. Moreover, the allelic frequency of miR-23a rs3745453 C allele was significantly increased in patients versus controls. In contrast, there were no differences in the distribution of miR-15b SNP. In conclusion, our results suggest that miR-223 and miR-23a could play a role in the pathogenesis of MS. Moreover, miR-223 rs1044165 polymorphism likely acts as a protective factor, while miR-23a rs3745453 variant seems to act as a risk factor for MS.

Background People with progressive multiple sclerosis (pwPMS), who typically have established lower limb dysfunction, experience greater disability from upper limb dysfunction (ULD). The 9‐hole peg test (9HPT) is the primary clinical measure for ULD but does not fully capture the patient experience. The ABILHAND‐23 is a well‐validated patient‐reported outcome measure (PROM) that evaluates bimanual ability in daily function. However, no large‐scale studies have assessed if the 9HPT reflects the individual ULD experience in pwPMS. Objectives We sought to (van Munster et al. 2023) assess the associations between the ABILHAND‐23 and 9HPT, and (Huertas‐Hoyas et al. 2020) to assess the ability of the 9HPT and other relevant covariables to predict ABILHAND‐23 scores, using baseline data from the MS‐STAT2 trial, a phase 3 study on simvastatin for secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Methods A cross‐sectional analysis of baseline data from the UCLH cohort of the MS‐STAT2 trial was performed using multiple linear regression to predict ABILHAND‐23 logit scores by 9HPT. Results 225 participants were analyzed. ABILHAND‐23 scores moderately correlated with the 9HPT (rho = 0.47). Regression analysis showed that better 9HPT performance modestly predicted ABILHAND‐23 logits (β = –0.05, SE 0.008, p‐value < 0.001). Conclusion The 9HPT only modestly predicts the ABILHAND‐23 but does not fully capture the individual's daily disability experience, underscoring the value of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) like the ABILHAND‐23 in clinical trials. This graphical summarises the relationship between the 9‐Hole Peg Test (9HPT) and the ABILHAND‐23 in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (pwPMS). Baseline data from MS‐STAT2 (n = 225), showed that the 9HPT moderately correlated with ABILHAND‐23 scores (? = 0.47), but only modestly predicted patient‐reported functional ability. This highlights that timed assessments like the 9HPT do not fully capture the lived experience of upper limb disability, underscoring the complementary value of PROMs such as ABILHAND‐23 in trials and practice.

The heterogeneity of multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical spectrum is in part explained by the differential distribution and accumulation of distinct demyelinating lesion types. At their onset, new lesions are recognised in early MS, while in the late disease stages the chronic active lesions predominate and are associated with disability progression. Pathologically, those lesions are characterised by activated iron-enriched macrophages-microglia at the border promoting radial expansion, and severe neuroaxonal loss in the core. Despite the availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers for chronic inflammatory activity, their contribution to MS prognostication of disability progression is still unknown. In this work, the initial focus was on the pathobiology and radiological correlations, which was realised as a literature review on the topic of imaging chronic active lesions in MS. Then, a novel technique based on deformation field computation to detect slowly expanding lesions (SELs) was implemented. Firstly, the association between SELs and other MRI markers for MS inflammatory activity and neurodegeneration was analysed in a secondary-progressive MS trial to establish their impact on disability. Then, the work was extended to relapse-onset MS, including a combined analysis of SELs and persisting black holes (PBHs), as a surrogate of structural tissue damage using hypointensity on T1-weighted scans. In a further analysis, SELs and paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) at susceptibility imaging, as an alternative marker of chronic active lesions, were investigated in an early relapse-onset MS cohort. Finally, an evaluation of the volumetric evolution of the newly developed lesions, and including the evaluation of treatment effects, was conducted on a primary-progressive MS trial. The clinical impact of all the imaging markers assessed was combined with physical and cognitive data, to assess the evolution of MS disability. Overall, this work has provided an overview of the currently available imaging markers to evaluate chronic inflammatory activity in MS.

BackgroundSlowly expanding lesions (SELs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) are markers of chronic active lesions and seem to trigger disability. This study aimed to analyse spatial features of SELs through diffusion MRI and their clinical impact on progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA).MethodsAn observational study of MS subjects prospectively followed since 2011; inclusion required at least three longitudinal T1/T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MRIs. Subjects followed clinical assessments, using Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) and Expanded Disability Status Scale. At MRI, lesions were categorised using non-linear deformation as definite or possible SELs, and non-SELs. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was extracted from each lesion core and perilesional area. Differences in FA values across core and perilesional areas by SEL category were assessed using the Mann-Whitney test. Associations with PIRA and clinical outcomes were evaluated using mixed-effects, logistic and Cox regression models.Results130 subjects underwent MRI (median 25 months) and clinical assessments (median follow-up 9.2 years), of which 29 (22%) developed PIRA. Of 4811 lesions, 8% were definite SELs. Definite SELs exhibited FA decline over time in core and perilesional areas compared with other lesions. Longitudinal core FA reductions within definite SELs were associated with worse MSFC z-score evolution (β=0.03, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.05, p=0.003), higher odds for PIRA (OR=0.01, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.12, p=0.001) and predicted faster time to reach first PIRA event (HR=0.03, 95% CI 0 to 0.49, p=0.015).ConclusionsDefinite SELs show distinct greater microstructural damage and are associated with PIRA, making their FA signature a potential predictor of MS progression.

BackgroundWe investigated the association between changes in retinal thickness and cognition in people with MS (PwMS), exploring the predictive value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) markers of neuroaxonal damage for global cognitive decline at different periods of disease.MethodWe quantified the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre (pRFNL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform (GCIPL) layers thicknesses of 207 PwMS and performed neuropsychological evaluations. The cohort was divided based on disease duration (≤5 years or >5 years). We studied associations between changes in OCT and cognition over time, and assessed the risk of cognitive decline of a pRFNL≤88 µm or GCIPL≤77 µm and its predictive value.ResultsChanges in pRFNL and GCIPL thickness over 3.2 years were associated with evolution of cognitive scores, in the entire cohort and in patients with more than 5 years of disease (p<0.01). Changes in cognition were related to less use of disease-modifying drugs, but not OCT metrics in PwMS within 5 years of onset. A pRFNL≤88 µm was associated with earlier cognitive disability (3.7 vs 9.9 years) and higher risk of cognitive deterioration (HR=1.64, p=0.022). A GCIPL≤77 µm was not associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline, but a trend was observed at ≤91.5 µm in PwMS with longer disease (HR=1.81, p=0.061).ConclusionsThe progressive retinal thinning is related to cognitive decline, indicating that cognitive dysfunction is a late manifestation of accumulated neuroaxonal damage. Quantifying the pRFNL aids in identifying individuals at risk of cognitive dysfunction.

BackgroundOptical coherence tomography (OCT) inner retinal metrics reflect neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). We explored OCT measures as biomarkers of disease severity in secondary progressive MS (SPMS).MethodsWe investigated people with SPMS from the Multiple Sclerosis-Secondary Progressive Multi-Arm Randomisation Trial OCT substudy, analysing brain MRIs, clinical assessments and OCT at baseline and 96 weeks. We measured peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thicknesses. Statistical analysis included correlations, multivariable linear regressions and mixed-effects models.ResultsOf the 212 participants recruited at baseline, 192 attended at 96 weeks follow-up. Baseline pRNFL and GCIPL thickness correlated with Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) (respectively, r=0.33 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.47); r=0.39 (0.26 to 0.51)) and deep grey matter volume (respectively, r=0.21 (0.07 to 0.35); r=0.28 (0.14 to 0.41)).pRNFL was associated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score change (normalised beta (B)=−0.12 (−0.23 to −0.01)). Baseline pRNFL and GCIPL were associated with Timed 25-Foot Walk change (T25FW) (respectively, B=−0.14 (−0.25 to −0.03); B=−0.20 (−0.31 to −0.10)) and 96-week percentage brain volume change (respectively, B=0.14 (0.03 to 0.25); B=0.23 (0.12 to 0.34)). There were significant annualised thinning rates: pRNFL (−0.83 µm/year) and GCIPL (−0.37 µm/year).ConclusionsIn our cohort of people with SPMS and long disease duration, OCT measures correlated with SDMT and deep grey matter volume at baseline; EDSS, T25FW and whole brain volume change at follow-up.

The MS-STAT2 study is a Phase III, 3 year multi-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy of 80mg simvastatin vs. placebo in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Building upon the promising results of the MS-STAT1 study, it is an academically led study funded through a collaboration of the NIHR HTA, MS Society (UK), National MS Society (US), and the Rosetrees Trust.Here we will provide an update on the trial design and progress, including:The agreed trial extension periodAdaptations to recruitment targets and trial designAn update on trial sites where patients can be referredAn update on current trial progressthomas.williams@nhs.net

Background and purpose Newly appearing lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) may evolve into chronically active, slowly expanding lesions (SELs), leading to sustained disability progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of newly appearing lesions developing into SELs, and their correlation to clinical evolution and treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis of a fingolimod trial in primary progressive MS (PPMS; INFORMS, NCT 00731692) was undertaken. Data were available from 324 patients with magnetic resonance imaging scans up to 3 years after screening. New lesions at year 1 were identified with convolutional neural networks, and SELs obtained through a deformation‐based method. Clinical disability was assessed annually by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Nine‐Hole Peg Test, Timed 25‐Foot Walk, and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test. Linear, logistic, and mixed‐effect models were used to assess the relationship between the Jacobian expansion in new lesions and SELs, disability scores, and treatment status. Results One hundred seventy patients had ≥1 new lesions at year 1 and had a higher lesion count at screening compared to patients with no new lesions (median = 27 vs. 22, p = 0.007). Among the new lesions (median = 2 per patient), 37% evolved into definite or possible SELs. Higher SEL volume and count were associated with EDSS worsening and confirmed disability progression. Treated patients had lower volume and count of definite SELs (β = −0.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.07 to −0.01, p = 0.015; β = −0.36, 95% CI = −0.67 to −0.06, p = 0.019, respectively). Conclusions Incident chronic active lesions are common in PPMS, and fingolimod treatment can reduce their number.

ObjectiveTo assess the connection between amyloid pathology and white matter (WM) macrostructural and microstructural damage in demented patients compared with controls.MethodsEighty-five participants were recruited: 65 with newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease (AD), non-AD dementia or mild cognitive impairment and 20 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. β-amyloid1-42 (Aβ) levels were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from all patients and five controls. Among patients, 42 had pathological CSF Aβ levels (Aβ(+)), while 23 had normal CSF Aβ levels (Aβ(−)). All participants underwent neurological examination, neuropsychological testing and brain MRI. We used T2-weighted scans to quantify WM lesion loads (LLs) and diffusion-weighted images to assess their microstructural substrate. Non-parametric statistical tests were used for between-group comparisons and multiple regression analyses.ResultsWe found an increased WM-LL in Aβ(+) compared with both, healthy controls (p=0.003) and Aβ(−) patients (p=0.02). Interestingly, CSF Aβ concentration was the best predictor of patients’ WM-LL (r=−0.30, p<0.05) when using age as a covariate. Lesion apparent diffusion coefficient value was higher in all patients than in controls (p=0.0001) and correlated with WM-LL (r=0.41, p=0.001). In Aβ(+), WM-LL correlated with WM microstructural damage in the left peritrigonal WM (p<0.0001).ConclusionsWM damage is crucial in AD pathogenesis. The correlation between CSF Aβ levels and WM-LL suggests a direct link between amyloid pathology and WM macrostructural and microstructural damage.