Preventive diagnostics: MRI can visualize multiple sclerosis
ETH researchers have developed a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method that can detect and better monitor multiple sclerosis (MS) at an early stage. The method images the myelin sheaths in the brain more accurately than previously possible. The loss of myelin sheaths is an important characteristic of multiple sclerosis. The new MRI method with a special head scanner could also help researchers to better visualize other solid tissue types such as connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments. The new MRI method developed by ETH researchers measures myelin content directly. It assigns numerical values to the MRI images of the brain. These indicate how much myelin is present at a specific location compared to other areas of the image. For example, the number 8 means that the myelin content at this location is only 8 percent of a maximum value of 100, indicating a significant thinning of the myelin sheaths. In principle, the darker the area and the smaller the number...







