Major qMRI findings in MS—GM compartment
| Site | Pathologic Processes and qMRI Correlates |
|---|---|
| Deep gray matter | |
| Basal ganglia | Increased R2*58,64-66,70,71 and QSM values61,64,66,70,72 indicating increased iron concentrations, with atrophy that might play a role in causing these changes57,68 |
| Thalamus | The more recent findings suggest the presence of reduced iron content and concentration, along with demyelination, as shown by decreased R1, R2*, and QSM values56-61 |
| Cortical gray matter | |
| Cortical lesions | Reduced R2* signal due to demyelination and iron depletion;74,75 cortical lesions are more heterogeneous on QSM, with decreased-to-increased values, depending on the level of inflammatory activity78 |
| Normal-appearing cortex | Demyelination and iron depletion lead to reduced R1 and R2* values,50 with a gradient indicating the WM interface83 |