Functional plasticity in MS

MRI is an irreplaceable tool for diagnosing and monitoring multiple sclerosis (MS). Indeed, conventional MRI is very sensitive in detecting focal, macroscopic white matter lesions of the CNS. This has led to the formulation of diagnostic criteria, which rely not only on the neurologic assessment, but also on MRI markers. Similarly, conventional MRI is also used worldwide to monitor natural MS evolution, or to monitor specific treatment strategies. Recently, research has tried to broaden the horizon of MRI applications in MS beyond lesion detection.1 In this context, diffusion tensor imaging studies have shown that patients with MS experience microstructural tissue abnormalities that …