Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping for Lesion Differentiation in Aging Multiple Sclerosis

This study investigates whether an advanced MRI technique called Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) can improve the differentiation of white matter lesions in people aged 50-70 years with multiple sclerosis (MS). In older individuals with MS, white matter changes seen on MRI may be related to MS or to other types of white matter changes, most commonly age-related changes or chronic small vessel disease. These conditions can appear similar on conventional MRI scans, making interpretation challenging. Participants will undergo routine clinical MRI, including a short additional QSM sequence, as well as brief cognitive and physical assessments. A comparison group with cerebral small vessel disease will also be included. The goal of the study is to determine whether QSM can provide more precise lesion characterization and support more accurate clinical interpretation of MRI findings in older patients with MS.