Currently, MS can be difficult to diagnose and can often lead to delays in treatment. New MRI technology with the ability to accurately image myelin content may provide earlier and more accurate diagnosis, leading to better outcomes for patients. By providing detailed information about the progression of myelin damage, this technology can help clinicians develop treatment plans and more effectively monitor disease activity.
The ability to accurately measure myelin content could also help develop new, more targeted drugs to treat MS. The researchers believe the technique could be adapted to imaging other hard tissues such as tendons and ligaments, opening the door to broader applications in healthcare.
How does it work? Unlike traditional MRI, which relies on signals from water molecules, this new technique directly measures myelin content, providing quantitative maps of its distribution in the brain. This is accomplished using a specially designed, head-mounted MRI scanner with a stronger magnetic field inclination and fast switching capabilities, allowing it to pick up transient signals from myelin tissue.
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Source: Ferra
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