The role of magnetization transfer and diffusion-weighted MRI in the understanding of multiple sclerosis evolution.

Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has markedly increased our ability to detect the macroscopic abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Magnetization transfer imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging have the potential to provide relevant and complementary information on the structural changes occurring within and outside these lesions and are contributing significantly to our understanding of the mechanisms leading to the accumulation of irreversible neurological disability in MS patients. The present review will summarize the major results achieved with the application of these two MR techniques to the assessment of the evolution of MS.