EPISODE · Jun 10, 2026 · 26 MIN
Beyond lesions: what advanced MRI may reveal about MS | S8E17
from Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis · host Overcoming MS
MRI scans are a familiar part of MS care – but what are they actually showing, and what might future scans reveal? In this episode of Living Well with MS, host Geoff Allix speaks with MRI physicist Bhavana Solanky from the Queen Square MS Centre at University College London, where she develops advanced MRI markers to better understand multiple sclerosis. Bhavana explains how MRI is used to diagnose and monitor MS, from spotting new lesions to helping clinicians understand disease activity over time. She also explores how different types of MRI scans work, why the same scanner can produce several kinds of images, and how advanced techniques such as sodium MRI and spectroscopy are helping researchers look beyond visible lesions. The conversation also covers why research volunteers are so important and how future scans could become faster and more comfortable. Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio. 01:20 Meet MRI physicist Bhavana Solanky 01:57 Using MRI like a giant camera 02:46 Why MRI shows more than an x-ray 03:33 From astrophysics to MS research 05:17 How MRI scans create brain images 07:48 How active MS lesions can appear 08:25 Why MRI matters for MS diagnosis 09:50 The main MRI scans used in MS 12:35 One scanner, several different image types 13:28 Advanced MRI, sodium scans and spectroscopy 16:51 Why volunteers are vital to MS research 18:39 What sodium MRI research is finding 20:39 Why sodium MRI is not about dietary salt 22:10 Faster scans and future MS research 24:33 Why monitoring scans remain important Learn more about Bhavana’s work and career New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube Pinterest Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.
What this episode covers
MRI scans are a familiar part of MS care – but what are they actually showing, and what might future scans reveal? In this episode of Living Well with MS, host Geoff Allix speaks with MRI physicist Bhavana Solanky from the Queen Square MS Centre at University College London, where she develops advanced MRI markers to better understand multiple sclerosis. Bhavana explains how MRI is used to diagnose and monitor MS, from spotting new lesions to helping clinicians understand disease activity over time. She also explores how different types of MRI scans work, why the same scanner can produce several kinds of images, and how advanced techniques such as sodium MRI and spectroscopy are helping researchers look beyond visible lesions. The conversation also covers why research volunteers are so important and how future scans could become faster and more comfortable. Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio. 01:20 Meet MRI physicist Bhavana Solanky 01:57 Using MRI like a giant camera 02:46 Why MRI shows more than an x-ray 03:33 From astrophysics to MS research 05:17 How MRI scans create brain images 07:48 How active MS lesions can appear 08:25 Why MRI matters for MS diagnosis 09:50 The main MRI scans used in MS 12:35 One scanner, several different image types 13:28 Advanced MRI, sodium scans and spectroscopy 16:51 Why volunteers are vital to MS research 18:39 What sodium MRI research is finding 20:39 Why sodium MRI is not about dietary salt 22:10 Faster scans and future MS research 24:33 Why monitoring scans remain important Learn more about Bhavana’s work and career New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube Pinterest Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.
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Beyond lesions: what advanced MRI may reveal about MS | S8E17
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