Preclinical Neuroaxonal Injury in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome

Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is the incidental finding of classic, demyelinating-appearing white-matter alterations on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in someone without clinical symptoms of demyelination. Imaging may have been prompted by other diagnostic considerations, such as trauma or headaches. To further investigate the pathology detected with MRI in this patient population, researchers recruited 23 patients with RIS (median age, 39.7; range, 19–59), along with 20 matched controls. Cerebrospinal fluid was positive for inflammatory changes in 14 of 19 patients tested, and spinal cord abnormalities were detected in 8 of 19. Dissemination in time was demonstrated in 9 of 23 by additional abnormalities on a second MRI.

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