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Cilingir V, Batur M. Axonal Degeneration Independent of Inflammatory Activity: Is It More Intense in the Early Stages of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Disease? Eur Neurol 2020; 83:508-516. [PMID: 32957101 DOI: 10.1159/000510116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate whether there are differences in the axonal degeneration rate between patients in the early years of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) disease and RRMS patients in their later years. METHODS The early-stage RRMS patients (EMS) group had 65 patients whose duration of disease was within 3 years from the date of the first attack. The late-stage RRMS patients (LMS) group had 69 patients whose duration of disease was within the range of 3-10 years from the date of the first attack. In addition, a control group was composed of 32 healthy subjects. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was monitored with spectral-domain OCT in all included patients for approximately 3 years. RESULTS The annual RNFL atrophy rate (aRNFLr) in the EMS group was -1.246 ± 0.778 μm/year, the aRNFLr in the LMS group was -0.898 ± 0.536 μm/year, and the aRNFLr was -0.234 ± 0.154 μm/year in the control group (p < 0.001). The aRNFLr in the EMS group was significantly higher than the aRNFLr in the LMS group (p = 0.01). The aRNFLr was not associated with MRI activity or the condition of having an attack. There was a correlation between Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression and aRNFLr in both the EMS and LMS patient groups (r = -0.471, p < 0.001, and r = -0.567, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION The axonal degeneration rate is faster in RRMS patients in the first years of the disease than in later years. In addition, axonal degeneration occurs independently of inflammatory activity. Axonal degeneration is correlated with disability progression, but not with inflammatory findings, such as clinical episodes and MRI activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedat Cilingir
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey,
| | - Muhammed Batur
- Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey
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Lersy F, Noblet V, Willaume T, Collongues N, Kremer L, Fleury M, de Seze J, Kremer S. Identification and measurement of cervical spinal cord atrophy in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and correlation with clinical characteristics and cervical spinal cord MRI data. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2020; 177:85-92. [PMID: 32753321 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The spinal cord is one of the two main targets of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). The aim of this study was to highlight cervical spinal cord atrophy in NMO patients as compared to controls and to assess correlations between atrophy and clinical characteristics and cervical spinal cord MRI data. METHODS This prospective study investigated 15 patients with a diagnosis of NMOSD and 15 healthy controls. The whole cervical spinal cord was explored by MRI. The cross-sectional area (CSA) was estimate at every level of cup. This measurement was then averaged on the whole cervical spinal cord, providing a single measurement for every subject, denoted as mean CSA. RESULTS Mean CSA was 68.5 mm2 in the population of NMO patients and 72.8 mm2 in the population of healthy subjects. NMO patients had significantly smaller cervical spinal cord area than healthy controls (T test=0.009). Cervical spinal cord atrophy was associated with clinical signs of medullary involvement (T test=0.0006). There was a tendency toward a relation between cervical spinal cord atrophy and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (T test=0.07). This correlation seems statistically significant (T test<0.05) at the level of the upper cervical spinal cord (C2-C3) CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence of cervical spinal cord atrophy in NMOSD by studying the entire cervical spinal cord. Upper cervical spinal cord atrophy was substantially correlated to clinical disability and seems more involved in the development of clinical disability in NMOSD patients in comparison to the lower cervical spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Lersy
- University hospital of Strasboug, France.
| | - V Noblet
- University hospital of Strasboug, France
| | - T Willaume
- University hospital of Strasboug, France
| | | | - L Kremer
- University hospital of Strasboug, France
| | - M Fleury
- University hospital of Strasboug, France
| | - J de Seze
- University hospital of Strasboug, France
| | - S Kremer
- University hospital of Strasboug, France
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Yousuf F, Dupuy SL, Tauhid S, Chu R, Kim G, Tummala S, Khalid F, Weiner HL, Chitnis T, Healy BC, Bakshi R. A two-year study using cerebral gray matter volume to assess the response to fingolimod therapy in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2017; 383:221-229. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Chu R, Hurwitz S, Tauhid S, Bakshi R. Automated segmentation of cerebral deep gray matter from MRI scans: effect of field strength on sensitivity and reliability. BMC Neurol 2017; 17:172. [PMID: 28874119 PMCID: PMC5584325 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-017-0949-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cerebral subcortical deep gray matter nuclei (DGM) are a common, early, and clinically-relevant site of atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS). Robust and reliable DGM segmentation could prove useful to evaluate putative neuroprotective MS therapies. The objective of the study was to compare the sensitivity and reliability of DGM volumes obtained from 1.5T vs. 3T MRI. Methods Fourteen patients with MS [age (mean, range) 50.2 (32.0–60.8) years, disease duration 18.4 (8.2–35.5) years, Expanded Disability Status Scale score 3.1 (0–6), median 3.0] and 15 normal controls (NC) underwent brain 3D T1-weighted paired scan-rescans at 1.5T and 3T. DGM (caudate, thalamus, globus pallidus, and putamen) segmentation was obtained by the fully automated FSL-FIRST pipeline. Both raw and normalized volumes were derived. Results DGM volumes were generally higher at 3T vs. 1.5T in both groups. For raw volumes, 3T showed slightly better sensitivity (thalamus: p = 0.02; caudate: p = 0.10; putamen: p = 0.02; globus pallidus: p = 0.0004; total DGM: p = 0.01) than 1.5T (thalamus: p = 0.05; caudate: p = 0.09; putamen: p = 0.03; globus pallidus: p = 0.0006; total DGM: p = 0.02) for detecting DGM atrophy in MS vs. NC. For normalized volumes, 3T but not 1.5T detected atrophy in the globus pallidus in the MS group. Across all subjects, scan-rescan reliability was generally very high for both platforms, showing slightly higher reliability for some DGM volumes at 3T. Raw volumes showed higher reliability than normalized volumes. Raw DGM volume showed higher reliability than the individual structures. Conclusions These results suggest somewhat higher sensitivity and reliability of DGM volumes obtained from 3T vs. 1.5T MRI. Further studies should assess the role of this 3T pipeline in tracking potential MS neurotherapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renxin Chu
- Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd, Mailbox 9002L, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shelley Hurwitz
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shahamat Tauhid
- Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd, Mailbox 9002L, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rohit Bakshi
- Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd, Mailbox 9002L, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Departments of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Partners MS Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sensitive to lesion formation both in the brain and spinal cord. Imaging plays a prominent role in the diagnosis and monitoring of MS. Over a dozen anti-inflammatory therapies are approved for MS and the development of many of these medications was made possible through the use of contrast-enhancing lesions on MRI as a phase II outcome. A similar phase II outcome method for the neurodegeneration that underlies progressive courses of the disease is still unavailable. Although magnetic resonance is an invaluable tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment effects in MS, several imaging barriers still exist. In general, MRI is less sensitive to gray matter lesions, lacks pathological specificity, and does not provide quantitative data easily. Several advanced imaging methods including diffusion tensor imaging, magnetization transfer, functional MRI, myelin water fraction imaging, ultra-high field MRI, positron emission tomography, and optical coherence tomography of the retina study promising ways of overcoming the difficulties in MS imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ontaneda
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Robert J Fox
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Dupuy SL, Tauhid S, Hurwitz S, Chu R, Yousuf F, Bakshi R. The Effect of Dimethyl Fumarate on Cerebral Gray Matter Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis. Neurol Ther 2016; 5:215-229. [PMID: 27744504 PMCID: PMC5130921 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-016-0054-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The objective of this pilot study was to compare cerebral gray matter (GM) atrophy over 1 year in patients starting dimethyl fumarate (DMF) for multiple sclerosis (MS) to that of patients on no disease-modifying treatment (noDMT). DMF is an established therapy for relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 20 patients with RRMS at the start of DMF [age (mean ± SD) 46.1 ± 10.2 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 1.1 ± 1.2, timed 25-foot walk (T25FW) 4.6 ± 0.8 s] and eight patients on noDMT (age 42.5 ± 6.6 years, EDSS 1.7 ± 1.1, T25FW 4.4 ± 0.6 s). Baseline and 1-year 3D T1-weighted 3T MRI was processed with automated pipelines (SIENA, FSL-FIRST) to assess percentage whole brain volume change (PBVC) and deep GM (DGM) atrophy. Group differences were assessed by analysis of covariance, with time between MRI scans as a covariate. RESULTS Over 1 year, the DMF group showed a lower rate of whole brain atrophy than the noDMT group (PBVC: -0.37 ± 0.49% vs. -1.04 ± 0.67%, p = 0.005). The DMF group also had less change in putamen volume (-0.06 ± 0.22 vs. -0.32 ± 0.28 ml, p = 0.02). There were no significant on-study differences between groups in caudate, globus pallidus, thalamus, total DGM volume, T2 lesion volume, EDSS, or T25FW (all p > 0.20). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest a treatment effect of DMF on GM atrophy appearing at 1 year after starting therapy. However, due to the retrospective study design and sample size, these findings should be considered preliminary, and require confirmation in future investigations. FUNDING Biogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena L Dupuy
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shahamat Tauhid
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shelley Hurwitz
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Renxin Chu
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fawad Yousuf
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rohit Bakshi
- Departments of Neurology and Radiology, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Petzold A, Steenwijk MD, Eikelenboom JM, Wattjes MP, Uitdehaag BMJ. Elevated CSF neurofilament proteins predict brain atrophy: A 15-year follow-up study. Mult Scler 2016; 22:1154-62. [DOI: 10.1177/1352458516645206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Body fluid and structural imaging biomarkers give information on neurodegeneration. The relationship over time is not known in multiple sclerosis. Objective: To investigate the temporal relationship of elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament (Nf) protein levels, a biomarker for axonal loss, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) atrophy measures. Methods: In patients with multiple sclerosis, CSF Nf heavy chain (NfH) phosphoform levels were quantified at baseline and dichotomised into ‘normal’ and ‘high’. Atrophy was assessed by MRI at baseline and 15-year follow-up using SIENAX and FreeSurfer software. Results: High baseline CSF NfH SMI35 levels predicted pronounced atrophy at 15-year follow-up (odds ratio (OR): 36, p < 0.01), in the absence of baseline brain atrophy (OR: 28, p < 0.05), for the averaged MRI normalised brain volume (1.44 L vs 1.33 L, p < 0.05), normalised grey matter volume (0.77 L vs 0.69 L, p < 0.01) and putamen (12.7 mL vs 10.7 mL, p < 0.05). Region-specific calculations including the spinal cord showed that a power of >80% is reached with 14–50 patients. Conclusion: These data suggest that high CSF NfH levels are an early predictor of later brain and spinal cord atrophy using structural imaging biomarkers and can be investigated in reasonably sized patient cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Petzold
- Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology, VUmc MS Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Neuroscience Campus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands/Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Martijn D Steenwijk
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands/Department of Physics and Medical Technology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mike P Wattjes
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard MJ Uitdehaag
- Department of Neurology, VUmc MS Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Neuroscience Campus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Khalid F, Tauhid S, Chua AS, Healy BC, Stankiewicz JM, Weiner HL, Bakshi R. A longitudinal uncontrolled study of cerebral gray matter volume in patients receiving natalizumab for multiple sclerosis. Int J Neurosci 2016; 127:396-403. [PMID: 27143245 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2016.1185421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) selectively affects gray matter (GM), which is highly relevant to disability and cognitive impairment. We assessed cerebral GM volume (GMV) during one year of natalizumab therapy. DESIGN/METHODS Patients with relapsing-remitting (n = 18) or progressive (n = 2) MS had MRI ∼1 year apart during natalizumab treatment. At baseline, patients were on natalizumab for (mean ± SD) 16.6 ± 10.9 months with age 38.5 ± 7.4 and disease duration 9.7 ± 4.3 years. RESULTS At baseline, GMV was 664.0 ± 56.4 ml, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was 2.3 ± 2.0, timed 25-foot walk (T25FW) was 6.1±3.4 s; two patients (10%) had gadolinium (Gd)-enhancing lesions. At follow-up, GMV was 663.9 ± 60.2 mL; EDSS was 2.6 ± 2.1 and T25FW was 5.9 ± 2.9 s. One patient had a mild clinical relapse during the observation period (0.052 annualized relapse rate for the entire cohort). No patients had Gd-enhancing lesions at follow-up. Linear mixed-effect models showed no significant change in annualized GMV [estimated mean change per year 0.338 mL, 95% confidence interval -9.66, 10.34, p = 0.94)], GM fraction (p = 0.92), whole brain parenchymal fraction (p = 0.64), T2 lesion load (p = 0.64), EDSS (p = 0.26) or T25FW (p = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS This pilot study shows no GM atrophy during one year of natalizumab MS therapy. We also did not detect any loss of whole brain volume or progression of cerebral T2 hyperintense lesion volume during the observation period. These MRI results paralleled the lack of clinical worsening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariha Khalid
- a a Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Shahamat Tauhid
- a a Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Alicia S Chua
- a a Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Brian C Healy
- a a Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA.,c c Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
| | - James M Stankiewicz
- a a Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Howard L Weiner
- a a Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Rohit Bakshi
- a a Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA.,b b Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
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Bakshi R, Yeste A, Patel B, Tauhid S, Tummala S, Rahbari R, Chu R, Regev K, Kivisäkk P, Weiner HL, Quintana FJ. Serum lipid antibodies are associated with cerebral tissue damage in multiple sclerosis. NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2016; 3:e200. [PMID: 26894204 PMCID: PMC4747479 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To determine whether peripheral immune responses as measured by serum antigen arrays are linked to cerebral MRI measures of disease severity in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum samples were obtained from patients with relapsing-remitting MS (n = 21) and assayed using antigen arrays that contained 420 antigens including CNS-related autoantigens, lipids, and heat shock proteins. Normalized compartment-specific global brain volumes were obtained from 3-tesla MRI as surrogates of atrophy, including gray matter fraction (GMF), white matter fraction (WMF), and total brain parenchymal fraction (BPF). Total brain T2 hyperintense lesion volume (T2LV) was quantified from fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. Results: We found serum antibody patterns uniquely correlated with BPF, GMF, WMF, and T2LV. Furthermore, we identified immune signatures linked to MRI markers of neurodegeneration (BPF, GMF, WMF) that differentiated those linked to T2LV. Each MRI measure was correlated with a specific set of antibodies. Strikingly, immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to lipids were linked to brain MRI measures. Based on the association between IgG antibody reactivity and each unique MRI measure, we developed a lipid index. This comprised the reactivity directed against all of the lipids associated with each specific MRI measure. We validated these findings in an additional independent set of patients with MS (n = 14) and detected a similar trend for the correlations between BPF, GMF, and T2LV vs their respective lipid indexes. Conclusions: We propose serum antibody repertoires that are associated with MRI measures of cerebral MS involvement. Such antibodies may serve as biomarkers for monitoring disease pathology and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Bakshi
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ada Yeste
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Bonny Patel
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Shahamat Tauhid
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Subhash Tummala
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Roya Rahbari
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Renxin Chu
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Keren Regev
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Pia Kivisäkk
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Howard L Weiner
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Francisco J Quintana
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center (R.B., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.C., H.L.W.) and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases (R.B., A.Y., B.P., R.R., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.), Neurology (R.B., A.Y., B.P., S. Tauhid, S. Tummala, R.R., R.C., K.R., P.K., H.L.W., F.J.Q.) and Radiology (R.B.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Greenberg SJ, Zivadinov R, Lee-Kwen P, Sharma J, Planter M, Umhauer M, Glenister N, Bakshi R. Fludarabine add-on therapy in interferon-beta-treated patients with multiple sclerosis experiencing breakthrough disease. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2016; 9:105-17. [PMID: 27006698 DOI: 10.1177/1756285615626049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) may experience breakthrough disease despite effective interferon beta (IFNβ) therapy. Fludarabine (FLU) is a chemotherapeutic agent used in lymphoproliferative disorders that may be synergistic when combined with immunomodulatory therapy to control active multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to explore the safety and tolerability of FLU versus monthly methylprednisolone (MP) in IFNβ-treated RRMS patients with breakthrough disease. Clinical and MRI effects of IFNβ-1a plus FLU were evaluated. METHODS Eighteen patients with breakthrough disease [⩾2 relapses over the prior year and ⩾1.0-point increase in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score sustained for ⩾3 months] after >1 year of IFNβ therapy were enrolled in this prospective, open-label, randomized, proof-of-concept, pilot study. Patients received intravenous (IV) MP 1 g daily for 3 days and then were randomized to receive 3 monthly IV infusions of FLU 25 mg/m(2) daily for 5 consecutive days (n = 10) or MP 1 g (n = 8). All patients maintained their intramuscular IFNβ-1a treatment throughout the study. Analyses explored safety signals and directional trends; this preliminary study was not powered to detect clinically meaningful differences. RESULTS Both combination treatments were safe and well tolerated, with all adverse events mild. Patients treated with IFNβ-1a plus FLU had similar relapse rates, EDSS scores, and MS Functional Composite scores, but significantly less acute corticosteroid use for on-study relapses and better responses on some MRI outcomes, versus patients treated with IFNβ-1a plus MP. CONCLUSIONS Further study of FLU for breakthrough disease in patients with RRMS is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Greenberg
- Clinical Development, Neuroscience Global Pharmaceutical R&D, Abbvie Inc. 1 North Waukegan Road AP-31-1 North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Robert Zivadinov
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, The Jacobs Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Peterkin Lee-Kwen
- The Jacobs Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jitendra Sharma
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, The Jacobs Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Margaret Planter
- The Jacobs Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Margaret Umhauer
- The Jacobs Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Norman Glenister
- The Jacobs Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA USA
| | - Rohit Bakshi
- Jack, Sadie and David Breakstone Professor of Neurology and Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Director, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, One Brookline Place, Suite 602, Brookline, MA 02445, USA
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11
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Tsivgoulis G, Katsanos AH, Grigoriadis N, Hadjigeorgiou GM, Heliopoulos I, Kilidireas C, Voumvourakis K. The effect of disease modifying therapies on brain atrophy in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116511. [PMID: 25756363 PMCID: PMC4355592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of disease-modifying drugs (DMD) on brain atrophy in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) using available randomized-controlled trial (RCT) data. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to PRISMA guidelines of all available RCTs of patients with RRMS that reported data on brain volume measurements during the study period. Results We identified 4 eligible studies, including a total of 1819 RRMS patients (71% women, mean age 36.5 years, mean baseline EDSS-score: 2.4). The mean percentage change in brain volume was found to be significantly lower in DMD versus placebo subgroup (standardized mean difference: -0.19; 95%CI: -0.27–-0.11; p<0.001). We detected no evidence of heterogeneity between estimates (I2 = 30%, p = 0.19) nor publication bias in the Funnel plots. Sensitivity analyses stratifying studies according to brain atrophy neuroimaging protocol disclosed no evidence of heterogeneity (p = 0.16). In meta-regression analyses, the percentage change in brain volume was found to be inversely related with duration of observation period in both DMD (meta-regression slope = -0.03; 95% CI: -0.04–-0.02; p<0.001) and placebo subgroups (meta-regression slope = -0.05; 95% CI: -0.06–-0.04; p<0.001). However, the rate of percentage brain volume loss over time was greater in placebo than in DMD subgroup (p = 0.017, ANCOVA). Conclusions DMD appear to be effective in attenuating brain atrophy in comparison to placebo and their benefit in delaying the rate of brain volume loss increases linearly with longer treatment duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, “Attikon” Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- International Clinical Research Center, Department of Neurology, St. Anne’s University Hospital in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - Aristeidis H. Katsanos
- Second Department of Neurology, “Attikon” Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Grigoriadis
- Second Department of Neurology, “AHEPA” University Hospital, Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | | | - Ioannis Heliopoulos
- Department of Neurology, Alexandroupolis University Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Constantinos Kilidireas
- First Department of Neurology, “Eginition” Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Voumvourakis
- Second Department of Neurology, “Attikon” Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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12
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Dell'Oglio E, Ceccarelli A, Glanz BI, Healy BC, Tauhid S, Arora A, Saravanan N, Bruha MJ, Vartanian AV, Dupuy SL, Benedict RHB, Bakshi R, Neema M. Quantification of global cerebral atrophy in multiple sclerosis from 3T MRI using SPM: the role of misclassification errors. J Neuroimaging 2014; 25:191-199. [PMID: 25523616 PMCID: PMC4409073 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose We tested the validity of a freely available segmentation pipeline to measure compartmental brain volumes from 3T MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Our primary focus was methodological to explore the effect of segmentation corrections on the clinical relevance of the output metrics. Methods Three-dimensional T1-weighted images were acquired to compare 61 MS patients to 30 age- and gender-matched normal controls (NC). We also tested the within patient MRI relationship to disability (eg, expanded disability status scale [EDSS] score) and cognition. Statistical parametric mapping v. 8 (SPM8)-derived gray matter (GMF), white matter (WMF), and total brain parenchyma fractions (BPF) were derived before and after correcting errors from T1 hypointense MS lesions and/or ineffective deep GM contouring. Results MS patients had lower GMF and BPF as compared to NC (P<.05). Cognitively impaired patients had lower BPF than cognitively preserved patients (P<.05). BPF was related to EDSS; BPF and GMF were related to disease duration (all P<.05). Errors caused bias in GMFs and WMFs but had no discernable influence on BPFs or any MRI-clinical associations. Conclusions We report the validity of a segmentation pipeline for the detection of MS-related brain atrophy with 3T MRI. Longitudinal studies are warranted to extend these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Dell'Oglio
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Antonia Ceccarelli
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Bonnie I Glanz
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Brian C Healy
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Shahamat Tauhid
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ashish Arora
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Nikila Saravanan
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Matthew J Bruha
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Alexander V Vartanian
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sheena L Dupuy
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Rohit Bakshi
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mohit Neema
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Laboratory for Neuroimaging Research, Partners MS Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Balk LJ, Petzold A. Current and future potential of retinal optical coherence tomography in multiple sclerosis with and without optic neuritis. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2014; 4:165-76. [DOI: 10.2217/nmt.14.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disorder characterized by inflammation and neuroaxonal degeneration. The latter is held responsible for the irreversible disability in patients with MS. The eye is a unique window into the brain. With the advent of optical coherence tomography, accurate quantification of retinal layer thickness has become feasible. Neuroaxonal degeneration affecting the retinal layers is structurally and functionally related to pathology in the visual pathways, which is most severe following MS optic neuritis. This is relevant to recognize because MS optic neuritis may mask the subtle thinning of retinal layers associated with global CNS atrophy, which is also related to more global loss of neurological function. Taken together, optical coherence tomography stands at the brink of becoming a validated imaging biomarker for monitoring neurodegeneration in MS and to provide end points for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne J Balk
- Department of Neurology, VU Medical Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Axel Petzold
- Department of Neurology, VU Medical Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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14
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Balk LJ, Tewarie P, Killestein J, Polman CH, Uitdehaag BMJ, Petzold A. Disease course heterogeneity and OCT in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2014; 20:1198-206. [DOI: 10.1177/1352458513518626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: The heterogeneity of the disease course in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains a challenge for patient management and clinical trials. Objective: The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between disease course heterogeneity and retinal layer thicknesses in MS. Methods: A total of 230 MS patients and 63 healthy control subjects were included. Spectral-domain OCT scanning of the peripapillary and macular regions was performed, followed by automated eight-layer segmentation. Generalised estimation equations were used for comparisons. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for distinguishing a benign from a typical disease course. Results: Primary progressive patients showed relative preservation of inner retinal layers, compared to the relapsing onset MS types. Only in MS eyes without optic neuritis did patients with typical MS show more severe thinning of the inner retinal layers (RNFL to INL) compared to patients with a benign disease course, even after an average disease course of 20 years. Conclusion: The thicknesses, particularly of the innermost retinal layers (RNFL, GCC), were significantly related to the heterogeneous disease course in MS. The relative preservation of these layers in primary progressive and benign MS suggests rather limited susceptibility of the retina to neurodegeneration, which may be relevant for future neurodegenerative treatment trials employing OCT as a secondary outcome measure in primary progressive MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- LJ Balk
- Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - P Tewarie
- Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - J Killestein
- Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - CH Polman
- Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - BMJ Uitdehaag
- Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - A Petzold
- Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
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15
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Lublin FD, Cofield SS, Cutter GR, Conwit R, Narayana PA, Nelson F, Salter AR, Gustafson T, Wolinsky JS. Randomized study combining interferon and glatiramer acetate in multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2013; 73:327-40. [PMID: 23424159 DOI: 10.1002/ana.23863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Revised: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A double-blind, randomized, controlled study was undertaken to determine whether combined use of interferon β-1a (IFN) 30 μg intramuscularly weekly and glatiramer acetate (GA) 20 mg daily is more efficacious than either agent alone in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. METHODS A total of 1,008 participants were randomized and followed until the last participant enrolled completed 3 years. The primary endpoint was reduction in annualized relapse rate utilizing a strict definition of relapse. Secondary outcomes included time to confirmed disability, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) score, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics. RESULTS Combination IFN+GA was not superior to the better of the single agents (GA) in risk of relapse. Both the combination therapy and GA were significantly better than IFN in reducing the risk of relapse. The combination was not better than either agent alone in lessening confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale progression or change in MSFC over 36 months. The combination was superior to either agent alone in reducing new lesion activity and accumulation of total lesion volumes. In a post hoc analysis, combination therapy resulted in a higher proportion of participants attaining disease activity-free status (DAFS) compared to either single arm, driven by the MRI results. INTERPRETATION Combining the 2 most commonly prescribed therapies for multiple sclerosis did not produce a significant clinical benefit over 3 years. An effect was seen on some MRI metrics. In a test of comparative efficacy, GA was superior to IFN in reducing the risk of exacerbation. The extension phase for CombiRx will address whether the observed differences in MRI and DAFS findings predict later clinical differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred D Lublin
- Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Department of Neurology, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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16
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Rinaldi F, Calabrese M, Seppi D, Puthenparampil M, Perini P, Gallo P. Natalizumab strongly suppresses cortical pathology in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2012; 18:1760-7. [PMID: 22570359 DOI: 10.1177/1352458512447704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since cortical pathology has been indicated to play a relevant role in the physical and cognitive disability of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, this study aims to analyze the efficacy of natalizumab in slowing down its progression. METHODS A total of 120 relapsing-remitting MS patients completed a 2-year prospective study: 35 received natalizumab, 50 received interferon beta-1a or glatiramer acetate (immunomodulatory agents - IMA) and 35 remained untreated. Forty healthy subjects constituted the reference population. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluations (including cortical lesions and atrophy) were performed at baseline and after 2 years. RESULTS Natalizumab significantly reduced accumulation of new cortical lesions (0.2±0.6,range 0-3) compared to immunomodulatory agents (1.3±1.1 togli spazio, range 1-6, p=0.001) and no treatment (2.9±1.5, range 1-8, p<0.001). The percentage of patients with new cortical lesions was also lower in natalizumab-treated patients (20%) compared to IMA-treated and untreated patients (68.0% and 74.2%; p<0.001 for both comparisons). Furthermore, the progression of cortical atrophy was significantly reduced by natalizumab (% change=1.7%) compared to IMA (3.7%, p=0.003) and no therapy (4.6%, p<0.001). Finally, a greater percentage (51.4%) of natalizumab-treated patients remained disease-free (no clinical or MRI evidence of disease activity or progression) compared to IMA-treated (18%, p=0.001) and untreated patients (5.7%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Natalizumab treatment significantly decreases cortical lesion accumulation and cortical atrophy progression in severe relapsing-remitting MS. While supporting the inflammatory origin of cortical lesions, our results highlight the significant impact of natalizumab on cortical pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Rinaldi
- The Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Veneto Region, Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Padova, Italy
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Healy BC, Arora A, Hayden DL, Ceccarelli A, Tauhid SS, Neema M, Bakshi R. Approaches to normalization of spinal cord volume: application to multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimaging 2011; 22:e12-9. [PMID: 21854479 DOI: 10.1111/j.1552-6569.2011.00629.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To determine the proper method for the normalization of spinal cord volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS A group of 34 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (28 relapsing and 6 progressive) and 15 healthy controls had whole spinal cord 3-mm thick T2-weighted axial fast spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images obtained at 3T. For each participant, four volumes were measured (C2-3 volume, cervical cord volume, thoracic cord volume, and whole cord volume). The volumes were normalized by the number of slices and three potential measures of body size (intracranial volume [ICV], body mass index, and body surface area) using the proportional method. RESULTS All raw volumes and volumes normalized by number of slices or ICV were significantly lower in progressive MS patients compared to relapsing MS patients/healthy controls (P < .05). In addition, C2-3 volume and cervical cord volume were significantly correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale score (P < .05). All regional volumes showed high intercorrelation, and normalization by the number of slices significantly increased some correlations. Regarding reliability, whole cord volume regardless of normalization technique had lower coefficient of variation than C2-3 volume. CONCLUSIONS Since normalization factor had limited impact on reliability and the ability to detect differences, normalization by the number of slices is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Healy
- Department of Neurology, Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts, USA.
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