MS & The Spinal Cord

The spinal cord serves as the main communication highway between the brain and body. Did you know that 80% of people with multiple sclerosis have spinal cord lesions on MRI? These lesions can disrupt specific neural pathways, leading to common MS symptoms like numbness, weakness, impaired coordination, balance issues, bladder problems, constipation, and sexual dysfunction. For instance, damage to the corticospinal tract on one side of the spinal cord can weaken an arm or leg.

A remarkable autopsy study revealed that nearly 90% of people with MS still had active inflammation in the spinal cord. This finding brings new hope for potential treatments, even for older and progressive MS patients. Advances in imaging technology, including more powerful MRI scanners (3 Tesla and higher), are enhancing our ability to see inside the spinal cord, which is as thin as a pinky finger. Improved spinal cord imaging is driving the development of new therapies in clinical trials and helping identify those at risk for worsening disability, ultimately guiding better treatment decisions.

Barry Singer MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care, interviews:

Gabriele De Luca MD DPhil, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Experimental Neuropathology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Bruce Cree MD PhD, Professor of Neurology at University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine