title: Brain Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Relevance and Technical Aspects.
abstract: There is evidence of a neurodegenerative process running in parallel with or as a consequence of the inflammatory phenomenon in multiple sclerosis (MS). MR imaging has been central in the generation of such knowledge and has played a pivotal role in investigating the neurodegenerative process. However, there is insufficient evidence supporting MR imaging-measured brain atrophy as a biomarker of the neurodegenerative component of MS in the daily care of patients with MS. This article discusses the prognostic value of brain volume measurements and their potential role in monitoring treatment response in patients with MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology/Neuroimmunology, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya (Cemcat), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain. Electronic address: jsastre-garriga@cem-cat.org.
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sastre-Garriga
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Radiology (IDI), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain; Magnetic Resonance Unit, Department of Radiology (IDI), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pareto
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Radiology (IDI), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain; Magnetic Resonance Unit, Department of Radiology (IDI), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain.
authors.forename: Àlex
authors.initials: À
authors.lastname: Rovira
mesh_terms: D001284:Atrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Biological confounding factors; Brain atrophy; Disability; Gray matter; MR imaging; Multiple sclerosis