Chronic White Matter Inflammation and Serum Neurofilament Levels in Multiple Sclerosis

Objective To assess whether chronic white matter inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) as detected in vivo by paramagnetic rim MRI lesions (PRLs) is associated with higher serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels, a marker of neuroaxonal damage. Methods In 118 patients with MS with no gadolinium-enhancing lesions or recent relapses, we analyzed 3D-submillimeter phase MRI and sNfL levels. Histopathologic evaluation was performed in 25 MS lesions from 20 additional autopsy MS cases. Results In univariable analyses, participants with >= 2 PRLs (n = 43) compared to those with