Contrast-enhanced MRI lesions during treatment with interferonbeta-1b predict increase in T1 black hole volume in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
T1 black holes (BH) have been found to represent focal areas of substantial central nervous system tissue damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We examined the development of T1 BH over a three-year period of treatment with interferon (IFN)beta-1b in a group of 20 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. The number of contrast-enhancing lesions (CEL) after one year of treatment predicted a change in the T1 BH volume in the following two years. In patients without CEL, the T1 BH volume remained stable, whereas it increased in patients with CEL. The occurrence of CEL in patients treated with IFNbeta may indicate a heightened risk of accumulating T1 BH.
Morgen
K
K
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA Katrin.Morgen@neuro.med.uni-giessen.de
Crawford
A L T
AL
Stone
R D
RD
Martin
R
R
Richert
N D
ND
Frank
J A
JA
McFarland
H F
HF
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta