Better Ways to See Nerve Damage in Early Multiple Sclerosis
Improving the Assessment of Myelin and Axonal Integrity in Early Multiple Sclerosis
This research looks for new MRI methods to help us better understand and track nerve damage in people who are newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132632 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Currently, it's hard to see the specific nerve and myelin damage that drives disability in multiple sclerosis using standard MRI scans. This project aims to find new ways to use MRI that can clearly show this damage early in the disease. We will test two advanced MRI techniques, called SIR-qMT and SMT, in patients right after they receive their MS diagnosis. The goal is to see if these new methods can more accurately detect nerve changes and predict how the disease might progress compared to current MRI tools.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be adults aged 21 and older who have recently been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced multiple sclerosis or those not newly diagnosed may not directly benefit from this specific early-stage biomarker development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more precise ways to monitor multiple sclerosis and predict its course, helping doctors make better treatment decisions.
How similar studies have performed: This approach is novel because current MRI methods are not sensitive or specific enough to assess myelin and axonal injury in multiple sclerosis.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bagnato, Francesca Rosaria — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Bagnato, Francesca Rosaria
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.