Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new MRI procedure that allows for more accurate visualization of the myelin sheaths in the central nervous system, a key feature affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a neurological disease that affects approximately 2.9 million people worldwide, with about 15,000 cases in Switzerland alone. The disease causes the patient’s own immune system to attack and destroy the myelin sheaths, leading to permanent disabilities.
The myelin sheaths act as protective coverings around nerve fibers, similar to the plastic coating around a copper wire. They ensure that electrical impulses travel quickly and efficiently between nerve cells. When the myelin sheaths are damaged or become thinner, irreversible visual, speech, and coordination disorders can occur.
Until now, it has been challenging to visualize the myelin sheaths accurately to diagnose and treat MS effectively. However, the researchers at ETH Zurich, led by Markus Weiger and Emily Baadsvik from the Institute for Biomedical Engineering, have developed a new MRI procedure that addresses this issue. They successfully tested the procedure on healthy individuals for the first time, publishing their findings in Science Advances and Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
The MRI system, equipped with a specialized head scanner, could potentially aid doctors in early detection of MS and improved monitoring of disease progression. Additionally, the technology may facilitate the development of new drugs for MS. Moreover, the new MRI method has the potential to enhance the visualization of other solid tissue types like connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments, benefiting various fields of research.
Conventional MRI devices typically provide inaccurate and indirect images of the myelin sheaths. They rely on water molecules in the body that have been stimulated by radio waves in a strong magnetic field. However, myelin sheaths consist primarily of fatty tissue and proteins, making them challenging to visualize using this approach. Although there is water, referred to as myelin water, trapped between the layers of the myelin sheaths, standard MRIs primarily utilize signals from hydrogen atoms in this myelin water, rather than directly imaging the myelin sheaths.
The new MRI method developed by the ETH researchers addresses this limitation by measuring the myelin content directly. The procedure assigns numerical values to MRI images of the brain, indicating the amount of myelin present in a particular area relative to other areas of the image. For example, a value of 8 signifies that the myelin content at that point is only 8% of the maximum value of 100, indicating significant thinning of the myelin sheaths.
By analyzing the darkness of an area and the corresponding numerical value, doctors can better assess the severity and progression of MS. Directly visualizing the myelin sheaths allows for more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of the disease. The new MRI method developed by the researchers at ETH Zurich has the potential to revolutionize the understanding and treatment of MS, providing hope for improved outcomes for patients worldwide.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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