White matter changes detected based on multi-component MR Fingerprinting in Multiple Sclerosis

White matter hyperintensities are an MRI biomarker of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, not all white matter changes are visible on conventional, qualitative MRI. We applied a multi-component MR Fingerprinting protocol to identify potential white matter abnormalities based on increased T₂^*-values. FLAIR and MRF scans were performed in 44 MS patients and 12 healthy control subjects. Significant differences were found in the volume of MRF components with 500ms<T₁, T₂^*<2. 5s. This volume correlated moderately with white matter damage on structural MR images. The MRF approach identified larger abnormal tissue volumes than those visible on the structural scans.