Beyond White Spots: Rethinking MRI in MS

MRI scans can reveal far more than just “white spots.” New imaging techniques are uncovering hidden inflammation, silent disease activity, and smoldering lesions that may continue damaging the brain even when someone feels stable and routine MRI scans appear unchanged. This episode explores how MRI is evolving from a diagnostic tool into a window into the underlying biology of multiple sclerosis.

We discuss why spinal cord imaging can sometimes reveal disease missed in the brain, how the “central vein sign” may help prevent MS misdiagnosis, and why brain shrinkage remains difficult to measure reliably in individuals living with multiple sclerosis. The conversation also dives into some of the most exciting frontiers in MS imaging including myelin repair, functional MRI, and how artificial intelligence could dramatically improve the speed and precision of MRI scans in the future.

This episode is sponsored by TG Therapeutics.

Barry Singer MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care, interviews:

Anthony Traboulsee MD

Anthony Traboulsee MD is a Professor of Neurology and MS Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He serves as Co-Director MS Clinical Trials Research Group and Director of Multiple Sclerosis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Group. His research focuses on clinical trial design, the development of practice guidelines for the use of MRI in the management of MS, establishing advanced MRI imaging outcomes, and investigating new therapies for MS and related disorders.

Frederik Barkhof MD PhD

Frederik Barkhof MD PhD is Professor of Neuroradiology at Amsterdam UMC and University College London and is internationally recognized as one of the pioneers of MRI research in multiple sclerosis.  He helped develop the influential Barkhof Criteria, which advanced the use of MRI in early MS diagnosis and became part of modern diagnostic criteria worldwide. Dr. Barkhof has received numerous international honors for his contributions to MS research, including the John Dystel Prize from the National MS Society.