Abstract #2071

Surface-Based Analysis of Subpial T2*signal Changes at 7T in Multiple Sclerosis

Julien Cohen-Adad^1,2, Douglas Greve^1,2, Thomas Benner^1,2, Amy Radding^1,2, R Philip Kinkel,^2,3, Bruce R. Rosen^1,2, Bruce Fischl^1,2, Caterina Mainero^1,2

¹A. A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Dept. of Radiology, MGH, Charlestown, MA, United States; ²Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; ³Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States

The ability to detect and to classify in vivo gray matter (GM) lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) is required to better understand pathological processes associated with disease progression and disability. In this paper we combined ultra high field MRI (7T) with surface-based analysis to achieve quantitative assessment of subtle and diffuse cortical changes in multiple sclerosis (MS). Results show a significant increase of the T2* signal in MS patients versus controls. This increase may reflect the diffuse subpial pathology that has been described in autopsy cases of MS. Surface-based analysis facilitates the characterization of cortical lesions in vivo.