Can quantitative MRI and quantitative susceptibility mapping be applied to the rare disease, superficial siderosis, to improve patient lives through diagnostics, monitoring and treatments?

Lead supervisor: Professor Charlotte Stagg

Co-supervisor: Dr Melanie Fleming

Commercial partner: Perspectum

Aim: To further the understanding of the neurological underpinnings of the disease course of the rare neurodegenerative condition, superficial siderosis.

Superficial siderosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease where the low-volume bleeding and accumulation of waste products lead to a neurodegenerative effect. Recent UK Biobank data has found the prevalence to be 1 in 2000 in the UK, drastically increasing from 1 in a million, but still considered rare. The disease is a result of haemosiderin deposition in the 8th cranial nerve, the spinal cord leptomeninges and the brain. This is caused by subtle, prolonged and low-volume bleeding - commonly described as erythrocyte “leakage” into the subarachnoid space from a dural defect.

Although progressive, the changes are subtle and not well detected using standard MRI. Standard MRI is only able to show the accumulation of haemosiderin, which accumulates with a latent period ranging from 4 months to 30 years. Any bleeding that occurs is observed from clinical observations.

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), is a quantitative MRI technique which has the ability to detect subtle changes in paramagnetic and diamagnetic substances. This presents the opportunity to apply QSM and other quantitative MRI techniques to develop an understanding of superficial siderosis, find the source of bleeds, monitor changes and monitor treatment efficacy that is highly needed for patients.

The collaboration between Perspectum and the University of Oxford will enable the translation from research to potential commercialisation. Perspectum, as a leading medical imaging company and imaging CRO, will enhance this translation.

Apply using course: DPhil in Clinical Neuroscience