Brain age gap correlates with DTI-derived microstructural abnormalities in multiple sclerosis.

The study examined brain age gap (BAG) in 43 patients with multiple sclerosis and 18 healthy controls. Results showed that BAG was significantly higher in multiple sclerosis patients compared to controls (4.79 years versus -2.58 years). Within the multiple sclerosis group, BAG positively correlated with clinical severity, disease duration, and lesion volume. Microstructural changes detected by DTI (diffusion tensor imaging) analysis, including increased diffusivity in white matter and decreased anisotropy, strongly correlated with BAG. These findings suggest that brain age gap represents a biologically relevant indicator of multiple sclerosis severity that extends beyond volumetric brain changes.