Sign in Subscribe
Medical research

Critical Demyelinating Lesions in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective Observational Study

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new report from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine has shed light on the prevalence of critical demyelinating lesions in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, published in the Journal of Neurology, aimed to determine how frequently individual critical demyelinating lesions were found in an unselected consecutive cohort of people with progressive MS at a tertiary MS clinic over a one-year duration. The research found that 67 (26.3%) of the 255 participants evaluated had critical lesions, with 54 (21.2%) having one critical lesion and 13 (5.1%) having two tandem critical lesions. The study also found that those with critical lesions were older at evaluation, more likely to present with progressive hemiparesis, and had a higher lesion burden.

Key Takeaways:

  • Critical demyelinating lesions, often within the spinal cord and anatomically associated with progressive motor impairment, are commonly found in people with progressive MS.
  • 67 (26.3%) of the 255 participants evaluated had critical lesions, with 54 (21.2%) having one critical lesion and 13 (5.1%) having two tandem critical lesions.
  • Those with critical lesions were older at evaluation (median 62 years IQR 55-68) compared to those with lesion burden too high (median 58.0 IQR 49-64).
  • Non-motor progression was found in 15 (5.9%) of the participants.
  • Critical lesions were identified in most cases within the spinal cord, with 49 (90.7%) cases in the cervical region and 3 (5.5%) cases in the thoracic region.
  • Participants with critical lesions were more likely to present with progressive hemiparesis (55.2% vs 14.4%).
  • The study's findings highlight the importance of identifying and characterizing critical demyelinating lesions in people with progressive MS.

Statistics:

  • 67 (26.3%) of the 255 participants had critical lesions.
  • 54 (21.2%) had one critical lesion.
  • 13 (5.1%) had two tandem critical lesions.
  • 188 (73.7%) had lesion burden too high.
  • 15 (5.9%) had non-motor progression.
  • 255 participants were evaluated over a one-year duration (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022).
  • Participants with critical lesions were older at evaluation (median 62 years IQR 55-68).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Multiple Sclerosis Findings from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Described (Critical demyelinating lesions in progressive multiple sclerosis: a prospective observational study). Health & Medicine Week. October 24, 2025; p 3367.
  • Critical demyelinating lesions in progressive multiple sclerosis: a prospective observational study. Journal of Neurology, 2025;272(10):677.
  • Springer Heidelberg, Tiergartenstrasse 17, D-69121 Heidelberg, Germany. (Springer - www.springer.com; Journal of Neurology - www.springerlink.com/content/0340-5354/)
  • Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, United States.

Read more