Beta-interferon clinical trials using MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging has revolutionized management of patients with multiple sclerosis. This tool provides information on a dynamic process never visualized before, optimizing diagnostic capacities and formalizing the course of the lesion load. Follow-in clinical assessment and performance testing, MRI constitutes a second line tool for following the course of patients with multiple sclerosis in phase II and III trials. We reviewed the correlations between the radiological and clinical findings and the methodology of published trials on beta interferons in remitting, secondarily progressive and early onset multiple sclerosis.