Journal of the neurological sciences
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Measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in multiple sclerosis (MS) is gaining increasing attention. ⋯ Measurement of RNFL thickness and radius of the optic nerve should be preferred to the other optic nerve MRI measures in clinical studies. Whole brain lesion and GM measures are predictive of impaired visual function with corresponding structural concomitants.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Gray matter atrophy and disability progression in patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a 5-year longitudinal study.
We assessed the relationship between gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) atrophy and clinical status in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients over 5 years. A group of 181 patients who participated in the ASA (Avonex-Steroid-Azathioprine) study and had complete clinical and MRI assessments over 2 and 5 years was investigated. One hundred seventy (170) patients completed the 12-month follow-up, 147 the 24-month, 98 the 36-month, 65 the 48-month and 47 the 60-month. ⋯ Decline in PBVC and GMV were predictive markers of disability deterioration. Correlation of T2-LV with clinical status was weaker and decreased over time. Higher number of relapses was associated with faster decline in whole brain volume.
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To perform voxel-wise assessments of regional brain atrophy state and rate in subjects with relapsing-remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS). ⋯ By using different methodologies, we showed similar widespread tissue loss in the cerebral cortex of patients with RR MS. This brain tissue loss further progresses over time, particularly in the fronto-parietal cortex and seems to be partially dependent upon the increase of lesion load.
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Previous studies suggest that thalamic degeneration is prominent in multiple sclerosis (MS) and even in pre-MS patients presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). However, the relationships between white matter lesions and deep grey matter loss are not well understood. We analyzed the association between white matter lesions and the thalami in CIS patients to determine if connectivity is an important determinant. ⋯ Increased diffusivities and decreased fractional anisotropies were measured in the thalamocortical NAWM of CIS patients compared to controls. A step-wise regression analysis demonstrated that thalamocortical lesion volume and the mean diffusivity in track regions connecting lesion and thalami were significantly correlated with thalamic volumes in patients (Rsq=0.66, p<0.001), a finding not observed in regions outside the thalamocortical white matter. These results provide compelling evidence for a direct relationship between white matter lesions and thalamic atrophy in CIS patients.
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Cognitive impairment is frequent in multiple sclerosis (MS). Tissue-specific atrophy measures have been shown to correlate with cognitive performance in several studies. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) aims to identify regional differences in the local composition of brain tissue and makes possible to correlate these findings with cognitive impairment patterns. ⋯ Quantitative tissue-specific atrophy measures may display better correlations with patients' variables than regional grey matter atrophy distribution obtained using VBM methodology. These results should be confirmed in larger samples.