Project R-10556

New kids on the block: Improving the care of people with multiple sclerosis by introducing "RADIOMICS" and "EPOMICS". (Research)

NOT GOOD ENOUGH. These words summarize the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) today. Although it remains impossible to cure MS, early and effective treatment slows down progression. There is an urgent need to speed up the prognosis and treatment of people with MS (PwMS). The time needed to find the matching DMT for PwMS is still mostly based on trial and error. Delays in identifying treatment failure and in selecting an appropriate next-line DMT further degrade the quality of life (QoL) of PwMS. Our ultimate goal is to speed up prognosis and treatment. We believe that identifying new biomarkers in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, "RADIOMICS") and in evoked potential time series (EPTS, "EPOMICS") using innovative machine learning techniques will support this ultimate goal. In this research project, for which we already have a track record of collaboration, we investigate the following hypotheses: 1° RADIOMICS can improve the identification of MRI lesions resulting in functional damage. Identifying these lesions is important because changes in these lesions result in disability progression. 2° RADIOMICS and EPOMICS biomarkers can improve predictions of long-term disability progression. Models to support prognosis are necessary to support treatment choices. 3° RADIOMICS and EPOMICS biomarkers can measure progression more sensitively compared to the golden standards currently implemented. This will result in a faster identification of non-responders. The sooner PwMS receive the right treatment, the more their illness can be delayed. That is why with this project, we are aiming for an increased QoL for PwMS. Attention will be paid to the training of the PhD students (e.g. the course www.ai4imaging.org) and to technology transfer.

01 March 2020 - 29 February 2024