Brain MRI Scan for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

MRI brain scan for MS diagnosis.

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to capture images of what’s happening inside your body, including soft tissue and liquids.¹ A brain MRI scan detects scarring (known as lesions) in the brain or spinal cord, which is related to the nerve damage caused by MS.²

An MRI scan is painless, but you may feel uncomfortable, as the scanner can be noisy and you will be in a confined space.¹ If you’re worried about the MRI, why not take someone along with you, like a friend or family member? They won’t be able to join you in the scanner room, but they can come for the appointment to provide support before and after the scan. If you feel really anxious, let your healthcare team know, and they will try to help.

Below are some tips from our MS Resistance patient experts based on their experiences of MRI scans:

I don’t struggle with claustrophobia, so being in a confined space was not a problem for me. It’s helpful if you can try to relax. Once I almost fell asleep – the loud noises can actually be quite meditative!

Katharina

Living with MS since 2018

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Remember to relax and try and stay still during an MRI, otherwise the scan might have to be done again and you’re stuck there longer!

Katie

Living with MS since 2016

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I wasn’t worried when I had an MRI; I wasn’t thinking too much about it – the MRI scanner machine is noisy, but you have headphones with music to distract you.

Grace

Living with MS since 2017

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I always take my mum with me for my tests and clinic visits – it’s good to have someone else for support and to take in the information. We now have a ritual where we go to a nice café for coffee and cake after my medical appointments – it’s good to give yourself a little reward and have something nice to look forward to after.

Katie

Living with MS since 2016

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As the MRI scanner is essentially a powerful magnet, you will be asked to leave metal objects (e.g. belt buckles, earrings, and watches) outside of the room where the scanner is located.

The scan typically lasts between half an hour to an hour.¹

No single test can diagnose MS by itself, but MRI scans are a key part of identifying the cause of your symptoms.³

MRI scans are used to track the progression of the disease.⁴

Your neurologist can assess nerve damage by looking at the appearance of new lesions or changes to existing lesions over time.²

Typically, the signs of MS on an MRI scan include lesions, which appear when MS causes nerve damage.²

Although MRI is a reliable technique (~95% of people living with MS are diagnosed using MRI), it’s worth noting that signs of MS-like lesions on an MRI scan don’t necessarily mean you have the disease.² Similarly, having a normal MRI with an absence of lesions doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have MS. Although there have been advancements with scanning technologies in recent years, MRI scans still can’t show us everything that’s happening beneath the surface.

In cases where there MRI scans appear normal, MS can be diagnosed based on other indicators of MS, such as clinical symptoms and other diagnostic tests and assessments.⁵

1. NHS. MRI scan. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mri-scan/ [accessed June 2020].
2. Lovblad KO, et al. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2010:31:983– 89.
3. Garg N, Smith TW. Brain Behav. 2015;5:e00362.
4. Giovannoni, G, et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2016 Sep;9 Suppl 1:S5–S48.
5. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Diagnosis: the basic facts. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Brochures/Brochure-Diagnosis-The-Basic-Facts.pdf [accessed June 2020].