DETAILS OF PROJECT

The aim of this project is to set up a longitudinal prospective study recruiting antibody-negative patients with overlapping features of NMOSD and MS in order to identify diagnostic and prognostic imaging biomarkers in this patient cohort using non-conventional magnetic resonance imaging techniques, such as diffusion tensor imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping. These techniques provide deeper insight into the underlying pathology of the CNS, therefore show higher potential for diagnostic accuracy than conventional imaging used in clinical practice. Identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in antibody-negative MS/NMOSD borderline patients will allow for early and accurate diagnosis in this challenging and heterogenous cohort of patients, prediction of long-term prognosis, optimisation of their treatment and prevention of long-term disability.