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The Italian Neuroimaging Network Initiative (INNI): enabling the use of advanced MRI techniques in patients with MS

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Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important paraclinical tool to diagnose and monitor multiple sclerosis (MS). Conventional MRI measures lack of pathological specificity and are weakly correlated with MS clinical manifestations. Advanced MRI techniques are improving the understanding of the mechanisms underlying tissue injury, repair, and functional adaptation in MS; however, they require careful standardization. The definition of standardized methods for the collection and analysis of advanced MRI techniques is central not only to improve the understanding of disease pathophysiology and evolution, but also to generate research hypotheses, monitor treatment, increase cost-effectiveness and power of clinical trials. We promoted the Italian Neuroimaging Network Initiative (INNI), involving centers and investigators with an International recognized expertise, with the major goal to determine and validate novel MRI biomarkers to be utilized as predictors and/or outcomes in future MS studies. The INNI initiative supported the creation of a centralized repository, where advanced structural and functional MRI scans available at the participating sites, with the related clinical and neuropsychological data, are collected. These data will be used to perform research studies to identify clinical, neuropsychological and imaging biomarkers characteristics of the entire spectrum of MS. INNI will be instrumental to help to define standardized MRI and clinical protocols towards an increasing uptake of personalized interventions for people with MS at a national and international level. Upon approval of the INNI Steering Committee, the data collected in the online database will be shared with any research center detailing specific research proposals on disease pathophysiology or treatment effects.

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Acknowledgements

This project has been supported by a research Grant from the Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (FISM 2013/S/1).

INNI network: Milan: Paola Valsasina, Mauro Sibilia, Paolo Preziosa; Naples: Antonio Gallo, Alvino Bisecco, Renato Docimo; Rome: Nikolaos Petsas, Serena Ruggieri, Costanza Giannì; Siena: Maria Laura Stromillo, Riccardo Tappa Brocci.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy

    M. Filippi & M. A. Rocca

  2. Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy

    M. Filippi & M. A. Rocca

  3. MRI Center, Institute of Diagnosis and Care “Hermitage-Capodimonte”, Naples, Italy

    G. Tedeschi

  4. I Division of Neurology, Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy

    G. Tedeschi

  5. Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    P. Pantano

  6. IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy

    P. Pantano

  7. Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    N. De Stefano

  8. Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Genoa, Italy

    P. Zaratin

Authors
  1. M. Filippi
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  2. G. Tedeschi
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  3. P. Pantano
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  4. N. De Stefano
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  5. P. Zaratin
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  6. M. A. Rocca
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Consortia

For the INNI Network

  • Paola Valsasina
  • , Mauro Sibilia
  • , Paolo Preziosa
  • , Antonio Gallo
  • , Alvino Bisecco
  • , Renato Docimo
  • , Nikolaos Petsas
  • , Serena Ruggieri
  • , Costanza Giannì
  • , Maria Laura Stromillo
  •  & Riccardo Tappa Brocci

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Filippi.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Conflict of interest

M Filippi is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Neurology; serves on a scientific advisory board for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries; has received compensation for consulting services and/or speaking activities from Biogen Idec, Merk-Serono, Novartis, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries; and receives research support from Biogen Idec, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Novartis, Italian Ministry of Health, Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla, Cure PSP, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), the Jacques and Gloria Gossweiler Foundation (Switzerland), and ARiSLA (Fondazione Italiana di Ricerca per la SLA). G. Tedeschi has received compensation for consulting services and/or speaking activities from Bayer Schering Pharma, Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries; and receives research support from Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, and Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla. Antonio Gallo received honoraria for speaking and travel Grants from Biogen, Sanofi-Aventis, Merck Serono, Genzyme, Teva, Bayer-Schering and Novartis. P. Pantano has received funding for travel from Novartis, Genzyme and Bracco and speaker honoraria from Biogen. N. De Stefano has received honoraria from Schering, Biogen Idec, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Novartis, Genzyme Corporation, Roche, and Merck for consulting services, speaking, and travel support. He serves on advisory boards for Biogen Idec, Merck, Novartis, Genzyme Corporation, and Roche. He has received research Grant support from the Italian MS Society. P. Zaratin works for Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla. M.A. Rocca received speakers honoraria from Biogen Idec, Novartis, Genzyme, Sanofi-Aventis, Teva and Merk Serono and receives research support from the Italian Ministry of Health and Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla.

Additional information

Members of INNI Network is listed in the acknowledgements.

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Filippi, M., Tedeschi, G., Pantano, P. et al. The Italian Neuroimaging Network Initiative (INNI): enabling the use of advanced MRI techniques in patients with MS. Neurol Sci 38, 1029–1038 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-2903-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-2903-z

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