Istvan Pirko1, Jeffrey D. Gamez1, Mihajlo Babovic2, Moses Rodriguez1, Slobodan I. Macura3
1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States; 2Carleton College, Northfield, MN, United States; 3Department of Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
The MRI-clinical paradox in MS refers to T2 weighted lesion load showing poor disability correlation. The reasons include non-specificity of T2 weighted lesions, no consideration of lesion location, and insensitivity to NAWM and NAGM pathology. We characterized 2 murine models of progressive MS: in model (A), lesion load developed linearly with strong disability correlation. In model (B) disability correlation was poor in the early (tumefactive) and strong in the late (regular) stage. Brainstem lesion load correlated best with disability in both models. These models are suitable for future studies characterizing NAWM, NAGM and studies of novel treatment strategies in MS.