Cortical Gray Matter MR Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Several neuropathologic and imaging studies have consistently confirmed that multiple sclerosis affects both white (WM) and gray matter (GM) and that GM damage plays a key role in disability progression. However, differently from WM damage, the less inflammatory cell infiltration, the absence of significant blood-brain barrier damage, the low myelin density in upper cortical layers, as well as technical constraints, make the GM damage almost undetectable by means of conventional MR imaging.

Keywords: Cortical lesions; Gray matter damage; MR imaging; Multiple sclerosis; Normal-appearing gray matter.