Magnetic resonance imaging inmonitoring the treatment ofmultiple sclerosis: Concerted Action Guidelines

Serial gadolinium enhanced MRI ofthe braindetects muchclinically silent dis- easeactivity inearly relapsing-remitting and secondaryprogressive multiple sclerosis (MS),andthushasanimpor- tantroleinmonitoring theeffects of therapy. Basedon theproceedings ofa recentCommissionof theEuropean Communities(CEC)workshopand a reviewoftheliterature, guidelines are presented forusingMRI to monitor treatmenttrials inMS. Theguidelines consider: A)MRI systemandtechniques; B)patient selection; C)trial design; D) analysis ofresults. Priorities forfuture research arealsoindicated.