Serum 24-Hydroxycholesterol is weakly correlated with brain water content, myelin water fraction and T1 relaxation in different stages of MS

Motivation: Quantitative and specific MRI methods may better characterize brain changes in multiple sclerosis (MS). Serum biomarkers that reflect advanced MRI measures would be an accessible and cost-effective tool for tracking these changes. Goal(s): To explore the ability of serum 24-hydroxycholesterol to reflect changes in advanced brain MRI measures in MS. Approach: 103 MS participants with diverse disease course subtypes underwent 3T MRI and same-day venous blood sampling. Results: Lesion water content and myelin water fraction (MWF), normal appearing white matter MWF and T1, and diffusely abnormal white matter MWF demonstrated relationships with serum 24-hydroxycholesterol in specific disease courses of MS. Impact: Correlation between serum 24-hydroxycholesterol and advanced MRI measures in different MS subtypes encourage further investigation of its use as a supportive marker. The development of MRI and serum markers could improve the sensitivity and frequency of monitoring MS disease progression.