title: A practical review of the neuropathology and neuroimaging of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The variability in the severity and clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) has as its basis an extreme heterogeneity in the location, nature and extent of pathology in the brain and spinal cord. Understanding the underlying neuropathology and associated pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease helps to communicate the rationale for treatment and disease monitoring to patients. Neuroimaging is an important tool for this: it allows clinicians to relate neuropathological changes to clinical presentations and to monitor the course of their disease. Here, we review MS neuropathology and its imaging correlates to provide a practical guide for using MRI to assess disease severity and treatment responses. This provides a foundation for optimal management of patients based on the principle that they show 'no evidence of disease activity'.
authors.affiliation: Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK Division of Neuroscience, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Frederico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roncaroli
authors.affiliation: Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waldman
authors.affiliation: Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK University of Genoa, Genoa, Liguria, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sormani
authors.affiliation: Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Stefano
authors.affiliation: Queen Mary College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giovannoni
authors.affiliation: Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases; D059906:Neuroimaging
keywords: CLINICAL NEUROLOGY; MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS; NEUROPATHOLOGY; Neuroimaging