Objective Spinal canal area (SCaA)—a proxy for maximal lifetime spinal cord growth—has recently been associated with concurrent disability and future worsening in multiple sclerosis (MS). Prior studies focused mainly on the Expanded Dis- ability Status Scale (EDSS). This study evaluates whether SCaA also relates to broader clinical outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective longitudinal study at the Belgian National MS Center. SCaA and spinal cord area (SCoA) were quantified on 714 brain MRI scans from 426 patients with MS using newly developed deep learning models. Two approaches were applied at C2-C3: averaging values across the entire spinal segment (method 1) or across 10 slices centered on the intervertebral disc (method 2). Disability measures included the EDSS, Timed 25‑Foot Walk Test (T25FWT), 9‑Hole Peg Test (9HPT), and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Associations of SCaA with concurrent disability and longitudinal change were assessed using multivariable regression. Results Mean SCaA and SCoA were 209.6 ± 32.9  mm2 and 62.7 ± 9.0  mm2 (method 1) and 203.5 ± 35.0  mm2 and 61.5 ± 9.8  mm2 (method 2), respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.95 for SCaA, and 0.97 for SCoA. A larger SCaA was significantly associated with lower concurrent EDSS, T25FWT, and 9HPT, but not with SDMT scores. Smaller SCaA values predicted worsening of EDSS, T25FWT and 9HPT scores after approximately 6 years. Conclusion Smaller SCaA is associated with greater clinical disability and future deterioration across multiple functionaldomains in MS. Our findings support the emerging concept of spinal cord reserve.
Willems, S, D'Hooghe, MB, Sastre‑Garriga, J, Pareto, D, Sima, DM, Mongay‑Ochoa, N, Della Faille, L, Liseune, A, Nagels, G, Van Remoortel, A, Van Schependom, J & D'Haeseleer, M 2026, 'Spinal cord reserve is associated with multi‑dimensional clinical resilience in multiple sclerosis', Journal of Neurology, vol. 273, no. 7, 402. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-026-13821-1
Willems, S., D'Hooghe, M. B., Sastre‑Garriga, J., Pareto, D., Sima, D. M., Mongay‑Ochoa, N., Della Faille, L., Liseune, A., Nagels, G., Van Remoortel, A., Van Schependom, J., & D'Haeseleer, M. (2026). Spinal cord reserve is associated with multi‑dimensional clinical resilience in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurology, 273(7), Article 402. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-026-13821-1
@article{a897e87b1d6f4091a06ab63367e2bd5f,
title = "Spinal cord reserve is associated with multi‑dimensional clinical resilience in multiple sclerosis",
abstract = "Objective Spinal canal area (SCaA)—a proxy for maximal lifetime spinal cord growth—has recently been associated with concurrent disability and future worsening in multiple sclerosis (MS). Prior studies focused mainly on the Expanded Dis- ability Status Scale (EDSS). This study evaluates whether SCaA also relates to broader clinical outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective longitudinal study at the Belgian National MS Center. SCaA and spinal cord area (SCoA) were quantified on 714 brain MRI scans from 426 patients with MS using newly developed deep learning models. Two approaches were applied at C2-C3: averaging values across the entire spinal segment (method 1) or across 10 slices centered on the intervertebral disc (method 2). Disability measures included the EDSS, Timed 25‑Foot Walk Test (T25FWT), 9‑Hole Peg Test (9HPT), and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Associations of SCaA with concurrent disability and longitudinal change were assessed using multivariable regression. Results Mean SCaA and SCoA were 209.6 ± 32.9  mm2 and 62.7 ± 9.0  mm2 (method 1) and 203.5 ± 35.0  mm2 and 61.5 ± 9.8  mm2 (method 2), respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.95 for SCaA, and 0.97 for SCoA. A larger SCaA was significantly associated with lower concurrent EDSS, T25FWT, and 9HPT, but not with SDMT scores. Smaller SCaA values predicted worsening of EDSS, T25FWT and 9HPT scores after approximately 6 years. Conclusion Smaller SCaA is associated with greater clinical disability and future deterioration across multiple functionaldomains in MS. Our findings support the emerging concept of spinal cord reserve.",
keywords = "MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, Spinal canal area, RESERVE, magnetic resonance imaging",
author = "Stien Willems and D'Hooghe, \{Marie Beatrice\} and Jaume Sastre‑Garriga and Deborah Pareto and Sima, \{Diana Maria\} and Neus Mongay‑Ochoa and \{Della Faille\}, Laetitia and Arno Liseune and Guy Nagels and \{Van Remoortel\}, Ann and \{Van Schependom\}, Jeroen and Miguel D'Haeseleer",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026.",
year = "2026",
month = jun,
day = "17",
doi = "10.1007/s00415-026-13821-1",
language = "English",
volume = "273",
journal = "Journal of Neurology",
issn = "0340-5354",
publisher = "D. Steinkopff-Verlag",
number = "7",
}