Quantitative MRI analysis of cerebral lesions and atrophy in post-partum patients with multiple sclerosis

Pregnancy is associated with increased in T2 and T1 cerebral lesion load in MS. However, a de-coupling is apparent, with no whole brain or cortical atrophy developing despite the increase in destructive lesions and despite the expected pregnancy-related decline in brain volume. While in the short term, pregnancy may be protective against the brain volume loss expected with increased lesion load, longer duration of follow-up is needed to verify these findings.