Developing an MRI Approach to Assess Axon and Myelin Damage in MS Progression

Start Term
End Term
Funding Amount
$50,000
Affiliation(s)
University of British Columbia
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
British Columbia
Researcher(s)
Dr. Shannon Kolind
Impact Goal(s)
Understand and Halt Disease Progression

Summary:

  • Damage to myelin and the underlying nerve fibers (also called axons) may contribute to progression in MS.
  • This research aims to develop a single novel MRI technique that can identify the different types of tissue damage in MS (myelin and axonal damage).
  • This research may help to identify non-invasive markers of progression that can be detected over a relatively short period of time before clinical progression is observed.

Project Description:

MS damages myelin, a fatty substance that covers and protects nerve fibers, called axons, in the brain and spinal cord. Once myelin is damaged, the underlying axon may be affected which likely contributes to progression in MS. Dr. Kolind and team have developed an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that can measure the amount of myelin present around nerve fibres to help detect disease progression. Recently, a new MRI technique called multi-dimensional diffusion imaging has been proposed to assess axonal damage. Multi-dimensional diffusion imaging has so far been used in MS in only one pilot study, and while promising, it needs further development to be useful in MS clinical trials. This research plans to add multi-dimensional diffusion imaging to their current MRI protocol to measure both myelin and axonal damage in 120 study participants. The researchers aim to develop a single novel MRI technique that can identify the different types of tissue damage in MS, both myelin and axonal damage, in a fast and clinically useful way that can be widely adopted.

Potential Impact:

This research has the potential to identify new non-invasive markers of MS tissue damage to detect disease progression over a relatively short period of time before clinical progression is observed. Effective MRI biomarkers can also be used in clinical trials to test the efficacy of MS therapies that target progression.

Project Status: In progress