The HLA-DRB*1501 haplotype influences the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), but it is not known how it affects grey matter pathology.To assess HLA-DRB*1501 effects on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cortical grey matter pathology.Whole and lesional cortical grey matter volumes, lesional and normal-appearing grey matter magnetization transfer ratio were measured in 85 people with MS and 36 healthy control subjects. HLA-DRB*1501 haplotype was determined by genotyping (rs3135388).No significant differences were observed in MRI measures between the HLA-DRB*1501 subgroups.The HLA-DRB*1501 haplotype is not strongly associated with MRI-visible grey matter pathology.