Quantitative imaging of lipid membranes with ihMT: a new myelin MRI biomarker – ULTIMO

The ULTIMO project aims at developing the quantitative imaging of myelin lipid membranes with inhomogeneous Magnetization Transfer (qihMT) and at validating this new MRI technique as a biomarker of myelin, sensitive to its pathological conditions. By allowing quantitative and non-invasive mapping of myelin, this project will address an unmet clinical need. The considered methodology in this project will rely on a multidisciplinary Biology-Chemistry-Physics approach, combining reference methods for lipid characterization (NMR/Mass Spectrometry) and for myelin imaging in animal models (microscopy) in order to validate qihMT MRI as a myelin biomarker. The final objective will be reached by progressive milestones of validation, achieved on i) synthetic membranes; ii) purified myelin extracts; iii) ex vivo mouse brain; iv) ex vivo dysmyelinated/demyelinated mouse brain; v) in vivo mouse and human brain. Finally, the potential and impact of qihMT for clinical applications will be evaluated in a pilot study performed on Multiple Sclerosis patients.