NYC Gazette

Advanced imaging and diagnostic tools may lead to more personalized management of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), according to a study published in the Journal of Neurology. MS, a chronic autoimmune disease, often presents with visual pathway disturbances such as optic neuritis, macular dysfunction, demyelination, and inflammation.

“These disturbances not only impair vision but are also indicative of broader neural damage and disease progression,” said Dr. Marissa Barrera, co-author of the study and director of the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at the Katz School. “Early visual symptoms, such as optic neuritis, frequently precede an MS diagnosis, making the visual pathway a critical area of study.”

The study highlights three key clinical tools for evaluating these disturbances:

1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Used to diagnose and monitor MS by revealing demyelination in the optic chiasm and tissue disturbances in the occipital cortex.

2. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A non-invasive imaging technique providing high-resolution images of retinal structures comparable to MRI for measuring damage to the optic nerve and retina.

3. Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP): Measures brain response to visual stimuli; delayed P100 latency indicates demyelination linked to cognitive decline.

The research suggests that combining OCT and VEP measurements could provide superior insights into cognitive dysfunction in people with MS compared to using either tool alone.

“The integration of these tools into routine MS management could enhance understanding of disease progression and inform the development of restorative treatments,” said Dr. Thomas Covey, lead author of the study and assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Buffalo. “As these measures become increasingly integrated into clinical settings, they offer hope for earlier diagnosis, personalized care and better quality of life for people with MS.”

###