Coagulation/Complement Activation and Cerebral Hypoperfusion in Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis

This is a multi-center, prospective, controlled study. MS patients (1° group: 30 patients in relapse; 2° group: 30 patients in remission) and age/sex-matched healthy controls (3° group: 30 subjects) will be enrolled in the study. Patients' disability level will be evaluated by EDSS and MSFC. Patients and controls will be tested for either coagulation/complement (C3, C4, C4a, C9, fibrinogen, factor VIII and X, D-dimer, protein C, protein S, antithrombin, factor II, aPTT, von-Willebrand factor), soluble markers of endothelial damage (thrombomodulin, Endothelial Protein C Receptor), antiphospholipid antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, complete blood count, viral serological assays or microRNA microarray. Patients will undergo dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MRI using a 3.0-T scanner to evaluate CBF, CBV, MTT, lesion number and volume.