Investigating the relationship between thalamic iron concentration and disease severity in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis using quantitative susceptibility mapping: Cross-sectional analysis from the MS-STAT2 randomised controlled trial.

Background: Deep grey matter pathology is a key driver of disability worsening in people with multiple sclerosis. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique which quantifies local magnetic susceptibility from variations in phase produced by changes in the local magnetic field. In the deep grey matter, susceptibility has previously been validated against tissue iron concentration.

Treatment reduces the incidence of newly appearing multiple sclerosis lesions evolving into chronic active, slowly expanding lesions: A retrospective analysis.

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, NCT00731692) was undertaken.

Cardiovascular risk factors in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional analysis from the MS-STAT2 randomized controlled trial.

Background And Purpose: There is increasing evidence that cardiovascular risk (CVR) contributes to disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). CVR is particularly prevalent in secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and can be quantified through validated composite CVR scores. The aim was to examine the cross-sectional relationships between excess modifiable CVR, whole and regional brain atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging, and disability in patients with SPMS.