Maria A. Rocca1, Paolo Preziosa1, Massimiliano Copetti2, Gianna Riccitelli1, Roberta Messina1, Giancarlo Comi3, Massimo Filippi1
1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy; 2Biostatistics Unit, IRCCS-Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; 3Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy
We assessed the value of conventional and magnetization transfer (MT) MRI quantities of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and gray matter (GM) damage and their 12-month changes in predicting the accumulation of disability and cognitive impairment after 13 years in 73 multiple sclerosis (MS). At 13-year follow-up, 63% patients showed a significant disability worsening and 30% were cognitively impaired. MTR and atrophy measures of GM damage at baseline were the only predictors of disability worsening and cognitive impairment at 13 years.