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Hua T, Fan H, Duan Y, Tian D, Chen Z, Xu X, Bai Y, Li Y, Zhang N, Sun J, Li H, Li Y, Li Y, Zeng C, Han X, Zhou F, Huang M, Xu S, Jin Y, Li H, Zhuo Z, Zhang X, Liu Y. Spinal cord and brain atrophy patterns in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 2024; 271:3595-3609. [PMID: 38558149 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12281-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord and brain atrophy are common in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) but harbor distinct patterns accounting for disability and cognitive impairment. METHODS This study included 209 NMOSD and 304 RRMS patients and 436 healthy controls. Non-negative matrix factorization was used to parse differences in spinal cord and brain atrophy at subject level into distinct patterns based on structural MRI. The weights of patterns were obtained using a linear regression model and associated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and cognitive scores. Additionally, patients were divided into cognitive impairment (CI) and cognitive preservation (CP) groups. RESULTS Three patterns were observed in NMOSD: (1) Spinal Cord-Deep Grey Matter (SC-DGM) pattern was associated with high EDSS scores and decline of visuospatial memory function; (2) Frontal-Temporal pattern was associated with decline of language learning function; and (3) Cerebellum-Brainstem pattern had no observed association. Patients with CI had higher weights of SC-DGM pattern than CP group. Three patterns were observed in RRMS: (1) DGM pattern was associated with high EDSS scores, decreased information processing speed, and decreased language learning and visuospatial memory functions; (2) Frontal-Temporal pattern was associated with overall cognitive decline; and (3) Occipital pattern had no observed association. Patients with CI trended to have higher weights of DGM and Frontal-Temporal patterns than CP group. CONCLUSION This study estimated the heterogeneity of spinal cord and brain atrophy patterns in NMOSD and RRMS patients at individual level, and evaluated the clinical relevance of these patterns, which may contribute to stratifying participants for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Hua
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, No. 119 South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Houyou Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunyun Duan
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, No. 119 South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Decai Tian
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenpeng Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fundamental Research on Biomechanics in Clinical Application, School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolu Xu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, No. 119 South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Yutong Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuna Li
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, No. 119 South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Ningnannan Zhang
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Haiqing Li
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxin Li
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongmei Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun Zeng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuemei Han
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fuqing Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Muhua Huang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Siyao Xu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, No. 119 South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Ying Jin
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, No. 119 South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Hongfang Li
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, No. 119 South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Zhizheng Zhuo
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, No. 119 South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Xinghu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaou Liu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, No. 119 South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, China.
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Santini T, Chen C, Zhu W, Liou JJ, Walker E, Venkatesh S, Farhat N, Sajewski A, Alkhateeb S, Saranathan M, Xia Z, Ibrahim TS. Hippocampal subfields and thalamic nuclei associations with clinical outcomes in multiple sclerosis: An ultrahigh field MRI study. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 86:105520. [PMID: 38582026 PMCID: PMC11081814 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that thalamic and hippocampal neurodegeneration is associated with clinical decline in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, contributions of the specific thalamic nuclei and hippocampal subfields require further examination. OBJECTIVE Using 7 Tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we investigated the cross-sectional associations between functionally grouped thalamic nuclei and hippocampal subfields volumes and T1 relaxation times (T1-RT) and subsequent clinical outcomes in MS. METHODS High-resolution T1-weighted and T2-weighted images were acquired at 7T (n=31), preprocessed, and segmented using the Thalamus Optimized Multi Atlas Segmentation (THOMAS, for thalamic nuclei) and the Automatic Segmentation of Hippocampal Subfields (ASHS, for hippocampal subfields) packages. We calculated Pearson correlations between hippocampal subfields and thalamic nuclei volumes and T1-RT and subsequent multi-modal rater-determined and patient-reported clinical outcomes (∼2.5 years after imaging acquisition), correcting for confounders and multiple tests. RESULTS Smaller volume bilaterally in the anterior thalamus region correlated with worse performance in gait function, as measured by the Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS). Additionally, larger volume in most functional groups of thalamic nuclei correlated with better visual information processing and cognitive function, as measured by the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). In bilateral medial and left posterior thalamic regions, there was an inverse association between volumes and T1-RT, potentially indicating higher tissue degeneration in these regions. We also observed marginal associations between the right hippocampal subfields (both volumes and T1-RT) and subsequent clinical outcomes, though they did not survive correction for multiple testing. CONCLUSION Ultrahigh field MRI identified markers of structural damage in the thalamic nuclei associated with subsequently worse clinical outcomes in individuals with MS. Longitudinal studies will enable better understanding of the role of microstructural integrity in these brain regions in influencing MS outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tales Santini
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Chenyi Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Wen Zhu
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jr-Jiun Liou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Walker
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Shruthi Venkatesh
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Nadim Farhat
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Andrea Sajewski
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Salem Alkhateeb
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | | | - Zongqi Xia
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Tamer S Ibrahim
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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Lomer NB, Asalemi KA, Saberi A, Sarlak K. Predictors of multiple sclerosis progression: A systematic review of conventional magnetic resonance imaging studies. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300415. [PMID: 38626023 PMCID: PMC11020451 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and results in progressive clinical disability and cognitive decline. Currently, there are no specific imaging parameters available for the prediction of longitudinal disability in MS patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has linked imaging anomalies to clinical and cognitive deficits in MS. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of MRI in predicting disability, clinical progression, and cognitive decline in MS. METHODS In this study, according to PRISMA guidelines, we comprehensively searched the Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases to identify pertinent articles that employed conventional MRI in the context of Relapsing-Remitting and progressive forms of MS. Following a rigorous screening process, studies that met the predefined inclusion criteria were selected for data extraction and evaluated for potential sources of bias. RESULTS A total of 3028 records were retrieved from database searching. After a rigorous screening, 53 records met the criteria and were included in this study. Lesions and alterations in CNS structures like white matter, gray matter, corpus callosum, thalamus, and spinal cord, may be used to anticipate disability progression. Several prognostic factors associated with the progression of MS, including presence of cortical lesions, changes in gray matter volume, whole brain atrophy, the corpus callosum index, alterations in thalamic volume, and lesions or alterations in cross-sectional area of the spinal cord. For cognitive impairment in MS patients, reliable predictors include cortical gray matter volume, brain atrophy, lesion characteristics (T2-lesion load, temporal, frontal, and cerebellar lesions), white matter lesion volume, thalamic volume, and corpus callosum density. CONCLUSION This study indicates that MRI can be used to predict the cognitive decline, disability progression, and disease progression in MS patients over time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alia Saberi
- Department of Neurology, Poursina Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Kasra Sarlak
- Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
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Tekin A, Rende B, Efendi H, Bunul SD, Çakır Ö, Çolak T, Balcı S. Volumetric and Asymmetric Index Analysis of Subcortical Structures in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Retrospective Study Using volBrain Software. Cureus 2024; 16:e55799. [PMID: 38590495 PMCID: PMC10999780 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and autoimmune disease that has a significant influence on the central nervous system, such as the brain and spinal cord, affecting millions of individuals globally. Understanding the connection between subcortical brain regions and MS is crucial for effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for treating this disabling disease. This study explores the relationship between volume and contours of asymmetry index of subcortical brain regions in individuals with MS using volBrain software (https://www.volbrain.net; developed by José V. Manjón (Valencia Polytechnic University, Valencia, Spain) and Pierrick Coupé (University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France)). Methods In our retrospective investigation, we admitted 100 Turkish individuals, comprising 50 patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (24 (48%) males and 26 (52%) females) and 50 healthy controls (23 (46%) males and 27 (54%) females), registered between October 2017 and February 2022 for five years and underwent assessment in the radiology department at the Teaching and Research Hospital of Kocaeli University; 1,150 Turkish patients were excluded from our study based on our exclusion criteria. We used magnetic resonance imaging with a 3-Tesla (3T) scanner and volBrain software to assess volumes (cm3) and asymmetry indexes due to asymmetry for different levels of atrophy of total intracranial, total brain, gray matter, white matter, and subcortical regions, the most affected regions in MS patients for both patient and control cohorts. Results Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between patient and control groups (p < 0.001), with patient group mean age at 38.32 years and control group mean age at 32.88 years. Patient group exhibited lower values for total intracranial, total brain, gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid volume compared to control group (p < 0.05). The results indicated a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the values for total intracranial and total brain volume, whereas all other values remained unchanged. We compared volumes of subcortical structures on the right and left sides and found that the putamen, thalamus, and globus pallidus had statistically lower values in the patient group than in the control group (p < 0.001), apart from the lateral ventricle. Furthermore, our retrospective investigation demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the globus pallidus asymmetry index, indicating a preference for the patient group (p < 0.05). A lower asymmetry index value signifies a larger volume for the right side of the subcortical regions of the brain when compared to the left side. Conclusion Brain atrophy, although characterized by irreversible tissue damage, is targeted by therapeutic interventions to prevent progression. It is, therefore, imperative to develop a universally accepted measurement standard for subcortical structures that also considers the inherent variability present within each structure. Our findings serve as an important basis and indicator for the determination of subcortical atrophy and asymmetry in MS, the prognosis of the disease, and the etiology of clinical symptoms. Subsequent research may benefit by adopting the novel approach of considering brain atrophy as an outcome rather than a predictor, thereby facilitating the elucidation of the intricate biological mechanisms that give rise to volume loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayla Tekin
- Anatomy, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, TUR
| | - Buket Rende
- Anatomy, European Vocational School, Kocaeli Health and Technology University, Kocaeli, TUR
| | | | | | | | - Tuncay Çolak
- Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, TUR
| | - Sibel Balcı
- Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, TUR
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5
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Amin M, Nakamura K, Ontaneda D. Differentiating multiple sclerosis from non-specific white matter changes using a convolutional neural network image classification model. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 82:105420. [PMID: 38183693 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) relies heavily on neuroimaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and exclusion of mimics. This can be a challenging task due to radiological overlap in several disorders and may require ancillary testing or longitudinal follow up. One of the most common radiological MS mimickers is non-specific white matter disease (NSWMD). We aimed to develop and evaluate models leveraging machine learning algorithms to help distinguish MS and NSWMD. METHODS All adult patients who underwent MRI brain using a demyelinating protocol with available electronic medical records between 2015 and 2019 at Cleveland Clinic affiliated facilities were included. Diagnosis of MS and NSWMD were assessed from clinical documentation. Those with a diagnosis of MS and NSWMD were matched using total T2 lesion volume (T2LV) and used to train models with logistic regression and convolutional neural networks (CNN). Performance metrices were reported for each model. RESULTS A total of 250 NSWMD MRI scans were identified, and 250 unique MS MRI scans were matched on T2LV. Cross validated logistic regression model was able to use 20 variables (including spinal cord area, regional volumes, and fractions) to predict MS compared to NSWMD with 68.0% accuracy while the CNN model was able to classify MS compared to NSWMD in two independent validation and testing cohorts with 77% and 78% accuracy on average. CONCLUSION Automated methods can be used to differentiate MS compared to NSWMD. These methods can be used to supplement currently available diagnostic tools for patients being evaluated for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moein Amin
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Kunio Nakamura
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel Ontaneda
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
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6
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Nabizadeh F, Zafari R, Mohamadi M, Maleki T, Fallahi MS, Rafiei N. MRI features and disability in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neuroradiol 2024; 51:24-37. [PMID: 38172026 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the correlation between disability in patients with Multiple sclerosis (MS) measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) features to provide reliable results on which characteristics in the MRI can predict disability and prognosis of the disease. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using three databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The selected peer-reviewed studies must report a correlation between EDSS scores and MRI features. The correlation coefficients of included studies were converted to the Fisher's z scale, and the results were pooled. RESULTS Overall, 105 studies A total of 16,613 patients with MS entered our study. We found no significant correlation between total brain volume and EDSS assessment (95 % CI: -0.37 to 0.08; z-score: -0.15). We examined the potential correlation between the volume of T1 and T2 lesions and the level of disability. A positive significant correlation was found (95 % CI: 0.19 to 0.43; z-score: 0.31), (95 % CI: 0.17 to 0.33; z-score: 0.25). We observed a significant correlation between white matter volume and EDSS score in patients with MS (95 % CI: -0.37 to -0.03; z-score: -0.21). Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between gray matter volume and disability (95 % CI: -0.025 to -0.07; z-score: -0.16). CONCLUSION In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that disability in patients with MS is linked to extensive changes in different brain regions, encompassing gray and white matter, as well as T1 and T2 weighted MRI lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fardin Nabizadeh
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Rasa Zafari
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mobin Mohamadi
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Maleki
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Nazanin Rafiei
- School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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7
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Gakis G, Angelopoulos I, Panagoulias I, Mouzaki A. Current knowledge on multiple sclerosis pathophysiology, disability progression assessment and treatment options, and the role of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Autoimmun Rev 2024; 23:103480. [PMID: 38008300 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects nearly 2.8 million people each year. MS distinguishes three main types: relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS). RRMS is the most common type, with the majority of patients eventually progressing to SPMS, in which neurological development is constant, whereas PPMS is characterized by a progressive course from disease onset. New or additional insights into the role of effector and regulatory cells of the immune and CNS systems, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and the microbiome in the pathophysiology of MS have emerged, which may lead to the development of more targeted therapies that can halt or reverse neurodegeneration. Depending on the type and severity of the disease, various disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are currently used for RRMS/SPMS and PPMS. As a last resort, and especially in highly active RRMS that does not respond to DMTs, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is performed and has shown good results in reducing neuroinflammation. Nevertheless, the question of its potential role in preventing disability progression remains open. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive update on MS pathophysiology, assessment of MS disability progression and current treatments, and to examine the potential role of AHSCT in preventing disability progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Gakis
- Laboratory of Immunohematology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Ioannis Angelopoulos
- Laboratory of Immunohematology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Ioannis Panagoulias
- Laboratory of Immunohematology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Athanasia Mouzaki
- Laboratory of Immunohematology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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Ramezani N, Davanian F, Naghavi S, Riahi R, Zandieh G, Danesh-Mobarhan S, Ashtari F, Shaygannejad V, Sanayei M, Adibi I. Thalamic asymmetry in Multiple Sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 77:104853. [PMID: 37473593 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system. Asymmetry is one of the finding in brain MRI of these patients, which is related to the debilitating symptoms of the disease. This study aimed to investigate and compare the thalamic asymmetry in MS patients and its relationship with other MRI and clinical findings of these patients. METHODS This cross-sectional study conducted on 83 patients with relapse-remitting MS (RRMS), 43 patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS), and 89 healthy controls. The volumes of total intracranial, total gray matter, total white matter, lesions, thalamus, and also the thalamic asymmetry indices were calculated. The 9-hole peg test (9-HPT) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were assessed as clinical findings. RESULTS We showed that the normalized whole thalamic volume in healthy subjects was higher than MS patients (both RRMS and SPMS). Thalamic asymmetry index (TAI) was significantly different between RRMS patients and SPMS patients (p = 0.011). The absolute value of TAI was significantly lower in healthy subjects than in RRMS (p < 0.001) and SPMS patients (p < 0.001), and SPMS patients had a higher absolute TAI compared to RRMS patients (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS In this cross-sectional study we showed a relationship between normalized whole thalamic volume and MS subtype. Also, we showed that the asymmetric indices of the thalamus can be related to the progression of the disease. Eventually, we showed that thalamic asymmetry can be related to the disease progression and subtype changes in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Ramezani
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Center for Translational Neuroscience, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fariba Davanian
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Center for Translational Neuroscience, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Paramedical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Saba Naghavi
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Roya Riahi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ghazal Zandieh
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Safieh Danesh-Mobarhan
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Center for Translational Neuroscience, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Paramedical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Ashtari
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Vahid Shaygannejad
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sanayei
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Center for Translational Neuroscience, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Iman Adibi
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Center for Translational Neuroscience, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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9
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Laaksonen S, Saraste M, Sucksdorff M, Nylund M, Vuorimaa A, Matilainen M, Heikkinen J, Airas L. Early prognosticators of later TSPO-PET-measurable microglial activation in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 75:104755. [PMID: 37216883 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Factors driving increased innate immune cell activation in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain are not well understood. As higher prevalence of microglial/macrophage activation in association with chronic lesions and diffusely in the normal appearing white matter predict more rapid accumulation of clinical disability, it is of high importance to understand processes behind this. Objective of the study was to explore demographic, clinical and paraclinical variables associating with later positron emission tomography (PET)-measurable innate immune cell activation. METHODS PET-imaging using a TSPO-binding [11C]PK11195 was performed to evaluate microglial activation in patients with relapsing-remitting MS aged 40-55 years with a minimum disease duration of five years (n = 37). Medical records and diagnostic MR images were reviewed for relevant early MS disease-related clinical and paraclinical parameters. RESULTS More prominent microglial activation was associated with higher number of T2 lesions in the diagnostic MRI, a higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) index in the diagnostic CSF and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥ 2.0 five years after diagnosis. CONCLUSION The number of T2 lesions in MRI, and CSF immunoglobulin content measured by IgG index at the time of MS diagnosis associated with later TSPO-PET-measurable innate immune cell activation. This suggests that both focal and diffuse early inflammatory phenomena impact the development of later progression-related pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Laaksonen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Neurocenter Turku, University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
| | - M Saraste
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Neurocenter Turku, University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - M Sucksdorff
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Neurocenter Turku, University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - M Nylund
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Neurocenter Turku, University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - A Vuorimaa
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Neurocenter Turku, University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - M Matilainen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - J Heikkinen
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - L Airas
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Neurocenter Turku, University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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10
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Matthews PM, Gupta D, Mittal D, Bai W, Scalfari A, Pollock KG, Sharma V, Hill N. The association between brain volume loss and disability in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 74:104714. [PMID: 37068369 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating, degenerative disease of the central nervous system that affects approximately 2.8 million people worldwide. Compelling evidence from observational studies and clinical trials indicates a strong association between brain volume loss (BVL) and the accumulation of disability in MS. However, the considerable heterogeneity in study designs and methods of assessment of BVL invites questions concerning the generalizability of the reported findings. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review to characterize the relationship between BVL and physical disability in patients with MS. METHODS A systematic literature search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed supplemented by gray literature searches. The following study designs were included: prospective/retrospective cohort, cross-sectional and case-control. Only English language articles published from 2010 onwards were eligible for final inclusion. There were no restrictions on MS subtype, age, or ethnicity. Of the 1620 citations retrieved by the structured searches, 50 publications met our screening criteria and were included in the final data set. RESULTS Across all BVL measures, there was considerable heterogeneity in studies regarding the underlying study population, the definitions of BVL and image analysis methodologies, the physical disability measure used, the measures of association reported and whether the analysis conducted was univariable or multivariable. A total of 36 primary studies providing data on the association between whole BVL and physical disability in MS collectively suggest that whole brain atrophy is associated with greater physical disability progression in MS patients. Similarly, a total of 15 primary studies providing data on the association between ventricular atrophy and physical disability in MS suggest that ventricular atrophy is associated with greater physical disability progression in MS patients. Along similar lines, the existing evidence based on a total of 13 primary studies suggests that gray matter atrophy is associated with greater physical disability progression in MS patients. Four primary studies suggest that corpus callosum atrophy is associated with greater physical disability progression in MS patients. The majority of the existing evidence (6 primary studies) suggests no association between white matter atrophy and physical disability in MS. It is difficult to assign a relationship between basal ganglia volume loss and physical disability as well as medulla oblongata width and physical disability in MS due to very limited data. CONCLUSION The evidence gathered from this systematic review, although very heterogeneous, suggests that whole brain atrophy is associated with greater physical disability progression in MS patients. Our review can help define future imaging biomarkers for physical disability progression and treatment monitoring in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Matthews
- Department of Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, Burlington Danes Building, Hammersmith Hospital, DuCane Road, London, UK.
| | - Digant Gupta
- Bridge Medical Consulting Limited, 2 Marsault Court, 11 Kew Foot Road, Richmond, London, TW9 2SS, UK
| | - Deepali Mittal
- Bridge Medical Consulting Limited, 2 Marsault Court, 11 Kew Foot Road, Richmond, London, TW9 2SS, UK
| | - Wenjia Bai
- Department of Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, Burlington Danes Building, Hammersmith Hospital, DuCane Road, London, UK; Department of Computing, Imperial College London, William Penny Building, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Antonio Scalfari
- Imperial College Healthcare Trust, Centre of Neuroscience, Department of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Rd, London W6 8RF, UK
| | - Kevin G Pollock
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Uxbridge Business Park, Sanderson Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1DH, UK
| | - Vishal Sharma
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Uxbridge Business Park, Sanderson Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1DH, UK
| | - Nathan Hill
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Uxbridge Business Park, Sanderson Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1DH, UK
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11
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Mey GM, DeSilva TM. Utility of the visual system to monitor neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1125115. [PMID: 37063369 PMCID: PMC10090562 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1125115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration occurs early in the multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course and is an important driver of permanent disability. Current immunomodulatory therapies do not directly target neuronal health; thus, there is a critical need to develop neuroprotective strategies in MS. Outcome measures in clinical trials primarily evaluate disease activity and clinical disability scores rather than measures of neurodegeneration. The visual system provides a noninvasive correlate of brain atrophy and neuronal function through structural and functional exams. Furthermore, optic nerve axons and their respective neuronal cell bodies in the retina, in addition to their synaptic input to the thalamus, provide a distinct anatomy to investigate neurodegenerative processes. This review discusses the utility of the visual system as an early output measure of neurodegeneration in MS as well as an important platform to evaluate neuroprotective strategies in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tara M. DeSilva
- Department of Neurosciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
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12
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Eskut N, Koc AM, Koskderelioglu A, Dilek I, Tekindal MA. Correlation of brain segmental volume changes with clinical parameters: a longitudinal study in multiple sclerosis patients. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2023; 81:164-172. [PMID: 36948201 PMCID: PMC10033199 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1761492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To measure the cranial volume differences from 15 different parts in the follow-up of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients and correlate them with clinical parameters. METHODS Forty-seven patients with RRMS were included in the study. Patients were grouped into two categories; low Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (< 3; group 1), and moderate-high EDSS (≥ 3; group 2). Patients were evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and calculated Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR) scores. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed with a 1.5T MRI device (Magnetom AERA, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) twice in a 1-year period. Volumetric analysis was performed by a free, automated, online MRI brain volumetry software. The differences in volumetric values between the two MRI scans were calculated and correlated with the demographic and clinical parameters of the patients. RESULTS The number of attacks, disease duration, BDI, and FSS scores were higher in group 2; SDMT was higher in group 1. As expected, volumetric analyses have shown volume loss in total cerebral white matter in follow-up patients (p < 0.001). In addition, putaminal volume loss was related to a higher number of attacks. Besides, a negative relation between FSS with total amygdala volumes, a link between atrophy of globus pallidus and ARR, and BDI scores was found with the aid of network analysis. CONCLUSIONS Apart from a visual demonstration of volume loss, cranial MRI with volumetric analysis has a great potential for revealing covert links between segmental volume changes and clinical parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neslihan Eskut
- University of Health Sciences, Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Department of Neurology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ali Murat Koc
- Izmir Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Department of Radiology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Asli Koskderelioglu
- University of Health Sciences, Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Department of Neurology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ismail Dilek
- University of Health Sciences, Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Department of Radiology, Izmir, Turkey
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13
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Tsagkas C, Huck-Horvath A, Cagol A, Haas T, Barakovic M, Amann M, Ruberte E, Melie-Garcia L, Weigel M, Pezold S, Schlaeger R, Kuhle J, Sprenger T, Kappos L, Bieri O, Cattin P, Granziera C, Parmar K. Anterior horn atrophy in the cervical spinal cord: A new biomarker in progressive multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2022; 29:702-718. [PMID: 36550626 DOI: 10.1177/13524585221139152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord (SC) gray and white matter pathology plays a central role in multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the extent, pattern, and clinical relevance of SC gray and white matter atrophy in vivo. METHODS 39 relapsing-remitting patients (RRMS), 40 progressive MS patients (PMS), and 24 healthy controls (HC) were imaged at 3T using the averaged magnetization inversion recovery acquisitions sequence. Total and lesional cervical gray and white matter, and posterior (SCPH) and anterior horn (SCAH) areas were automatically quantified. Clinical assessment included the expanded disability status scale, timed 25-foot walk test, nine-hole peg test, and the 12-item MS walking scale. RESULTS PMS patients had significantly reduced cervical SCAH - but not SCPH - areas compared with HC and RRMS (both p < 0.001). In RRMS and PMS, the cervical SCAH areas increased significantly less in the region of cervical SC enlargement compared with HC (all p < 0.001). This reduction was more pronounced in PMS compared with RRMS (both p < 0.001). In PMS, a lower cervical SCAH area was the most important magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-variable for higher disability scores. CONCLUSION MS patients show clinically relevant cervical SCAH atrophy, which is more pronounced in PMS and at the level of cervical SC enlargement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charidimos Tsagkas
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antal Huck-Horvath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Cagol
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Haas
- Division of Radiological Physics, Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Muhamed Barakovic
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Amann
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Medical Image Analysis Center AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Esther Ruberte
- Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Medical Image Analysis Center AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lester Melie-Garcia
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Weigel
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Division of Radiological Physics, Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon Pezold
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Regina Schlaeger
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Till Sprenger
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Department of Neurology, DKD HELIOS Klinik Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Ludwig Kappos
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Bieri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Division of Radiological Physics, Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Cattin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Granziera
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Parmar
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland/Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Reha Rheinfelden, Rheinfelden, Switzerland
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14
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Voskuhl RR, MacKenzie-Graham A. Chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is an excellent model to study neuroaxonal degeneration in multiple sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1024058. [PMID: 36340686 PMCID: PMC9629273 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1024058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS), specifically experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), have been used extensively to develop anti-inflammatory treatments. However, the similarity between MS and one particular EAE model does not end at inflammation. MS and chronic EAE induced in C57BL/6 mice using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide 35-55 share many neuropathologies. Beyond both having white matter lesions in spinal cord, both also have widespread neuropathology in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, striatum, cerebellum, and retina/optic nerve. In this review, we compare neuropathologies in each of these structures in MS with chronic EAE in C57BL/6 mice, and find evidence that this EAE model is well suited to study neuroaxonal degeneration in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda R. Voskuhl
- UCLA MS Program, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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15
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Sandroff BM, Motl RW, Román CAF, Wylie GR, DeLuca J, Cutter GR, Benedict RHB, Dwyer MG, Zivadinov R. Thalamic atrophy moderates associations among aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance in persons with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 2022; 269:5531-5540. [PMID: 35718819 PMCID: PMC9474622 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11205-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Thalamic atrophy (TA) represents a biomarker of neurodegeneration and associated dysfunction/decline in physical and cognitive functioning among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Aerobic fitness, as an end point of exercise training, represents a promising target for restoring function in MS, but it is unknown if such effects differ by TA. This cross-sectional study examined whether aerobic fitness was differentially associated with cognitive processing speed and walking endurance in persons with MS who present with and without TA. METHODS 44 fully ambulatory persons with MS completed a graded exercise test for measuring aerobic fitness (VO2peak) and underwent 3T MRI for measuring TA, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and the 6-min walk (6MW). We performed Spearman correlations (rs) among VO2peak, SDMT, and 6MW scores overall, and in persons with and without TA. We applied Fisher's z-test for comparing correlations based on TA status. RESULTS When controlling for age, EDSS score, and global MRI measures of atrophy, VO2peak was strongly associated with SDMT scores (prs = 0.74, p < 0.01) and 6MW performance (prs = 0.77, p < 0.01) in persons with TA, whereas VO2peak was not associated with SDMT scores (prs = - 0.01, p = 0.99) or 6MW performance (prs = 0.25, p = 0.38) in those without TA. The correlations between VO2peak and SDMT (z = 2.86, p < 0.01) and VO2peak and 6MW (z = 2.33, p = 0.02) were significantly stronger in the TA group. DISCUSSION This study provides initial evidence of strong, selective associations among aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance in persons with TA as a biomarker for MS-related neurodegeneration. Such data support TA as a moderator of the association among aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance in persons with MS. Future research should carefully consider the role of TA when designing trials of aerobic exercise, cognition, and mobility in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Sandroff
- Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research, Kessler Foundation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA,Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | | | - Cristina A. F. Román
- Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research, Kessler Foundation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA,Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Glenn R. Wylie
- Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research, Kessler Foundation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA,Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - John DeLuca
- Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research, Kessler Foundation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA,Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Gary R. Cutter
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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16
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Andelova M, Vodehnalova K, Krasensky J, Hardubejova E, Hrnciarova T, Srpova B, Uher T, Menkyova I, Stastna D, Friedova L, Motyl J, Lizrova Preiningerova J, Kubala Havrdova E, Maréchal B, Fartaria MJ, Kober T, Horakova D, Vaneckova M. Brainstem lesions are associated with diffuse spinal cord involvement in early multiple sclerosis. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:270. [PMID: 35854235 PMCID: PMC9297663 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02778-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early infratentorial and focal spinal cord lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with a higher risk of long-term disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The role of diffuse spinal cord lesions remains less understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate focal and especially diffuse spinal cord lesions in patients with early relapsing-remitting MS and their association with intracranial lesion topography, global and regional brain volume, and spinal cord volume. Methods We investigated 58 MS patients with short disease duration (< 5 years) from a large academic MS center and 58 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Brain, spinal cord, and intracranial lesion volumes were compared among patients with- and without diffuse spinal cord lesions and controls. Binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between the volume and topology of intracranial lesions and the presence of focal and diffuse spinal cord lesions. Results We found spinal cord involvement in 75% of the patients (43/58), including diffuse changes in 41.4% (24/58). Patients with diffuse spinal cord changes exhibited higher volumes of brainstem lesion volume (p = 0.008). The presence of at least one brainstem lesion was associated with a higher probability of the presence of diffuse spinal cord lesions (odds ratio 47.1; 95% confidence interval 6.9–321.6 p < 0.001) as opposed to focal spinal cord lesions (odds ratio 0.22; p = 0.320). Patients with diffuse spinal cord lesions had a lower thalamus volume compared to patients without diffuse spinal cord lesions (p = 0.007) or healthy controls (p = 0.002). Conclusions Diffuse spinal cord lesions are associated with the presence of brainstem lesions and with a lower volume of the thalamus. This association was not found in patients with focal spinal cord lesions. If confirmed, thalamic atrophy in patients with diffuse lesions could increase our knowledge on the worse prognosis in patients with infratentorial and SC lesions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12883-022-02778-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Andelova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Karolina Vodehnalova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Krasensky
- Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eliska Hardubejova
- Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Hrnciarova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Srpova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Uher
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ingrid Menkyova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic.,2nd Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dominika Stastna
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Friedova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Motyl
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Lizrova Preiningerova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kubala Havrdova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Bénédicte Maréchal
- Advanced Clinical Imaging Technology, Siemens Healthcare AG, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Signal Processing Laboratory (LTS 5), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mário João Fartaria
- Advanced Clinical Imaging Technology, Siemens Healthcare AG, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Signal Processing Laboratory (LTS 5), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kober
- Advanced Clinical Imaging Technology, Siemens Healthcare AG, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Signal Processing Laboratory (LTS 5), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dana Horakova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Katerinska 30, Praha 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Manuela Vaneckova
- Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
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17
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Arnold DL, Sprenger T, Bar-Or A, Wolinsky JS, Kappos L, Kolind S, Bonati U, Magon S, van Beek J, Koendgen H, Bortolami O, Bernasconi C, Gaetano L, Traboulsee A. Ocrelizumab reduces thalamic volume loss in patients with RMS and PPMS. Mult Scler 2022; 28:1927-1936. [PMID: 35672926 PMCID: PMC9493406 DOI: 10.1177/13524585221097561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: In multiple sclerosis (MS), thalamic integrity is affected directly by demyelination and neuronal loss, and indirectly by gray/white matter lesions outside the thalamus, altering thalamic neuronal projections. Objective: To assess the efficacy of ocrelizumab compared with interferon beta-1a (IFNβ1a)/placebo on thalamic volume loss and the effect of switching to ocrelizumab on volume change in the Phase III trials in relapsing MS (RMS, OPERA I/II; NCT01247324/NCT01412333) and in primary progressive MS (PPMS, ORATORIO; NCT01194570). Methods: Thalamic volume change was computed using paired Jacobian integration and analyzed using an adjusted mixed-effects repeated measurement model. Results: Over the double-blind period, ocrelizumab treatment significantly reduced thalamic volume loss with the largest effect size (Cohen’s d: RMS: 0.561 at week 96; PPMS: 0.427 at week 120) compared with whole brain, cortical gray matter, and white matter volume loss. At the end of up to 7 years of follow-up, patients initially randomized to ocrelizumab still showed less thalamic volume loss than those switching from IFNβ1a ( p < 0.001) or placebo ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: Ocrelizumab effectively reduced thalamic volume loss compared with IFNβ1a/placebo. Early treatment effects on thalamic tissue preservation persisted over time. Thalamic volume loss could be a potential sensitive marker of persisting tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas L Arnold
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada/NeuroRx Research, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Till Sprenger
- Department of Neurology, DKD Helios Klinik Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany/Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience and MS Center, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amit Bar-Or
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroinflammation and Experimental Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jerry S Wolinsky
- McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ludwig Kappos
- Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience and MS Center, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Johan van Beek
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland/Biogen, Baar, Switzerland
| | - Harold Koendgen
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland/UCB Farchim SA, Bulle, Switzerland
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18
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Rawat V, Tyagi R, Singh I, Das P, Srivastava AK, Makharia GK, Sharma U. Cerebellar Abnormalities on Proton MR Spectroscopy and Imaging in Patients With Gluten Ataxia: A Pilot Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:782579. [PMID: 35655925 PMCID: PMC9152097 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.782579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gluten ataxia is a rare immune-mediated neurological disorder caused by the ingestion of gluten. The diagnosis is not straightforward as antibodies are present in only up to 38% of patients, but often at lower titers. The symptoms of ataxia may be mild at the onset but lead to permanent damage if remain untreated. It is characterized by damage to the cerebellum however, the pathophysiology of the disease is not clearly understood. The present study investigated the neurochemical profile of vermis and right cerebellum and structural changes in various brain regions of patients with gluten ataxia (n = 6, age range 40–65 years) and compared it with healthy controls (n = 10, 40–55 years). Volumetric 3-D T1 and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the three planes (axial, coronal, and sagittal) of the whole brain and single-voxel 1H- magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the vermis and right cerebellum were acquired on 3 T human MR scanner. The metabolite concentrations were estimated using LC Model (6.1–4A) while brain volumes were estimated using the online tool volBrain pipeline and CERES and corrected for partial volumes. The levels of neuro-metabolites (N-acetyl aspartate + N-acetyl aspartate glutamate, glycerophosphocholine + phosphocholine, and total creatine) were found to be significantly lower in vermis, while N-acetyl aspartate + N-acetyl aspartate glutamate and glycerophosphocholine + phosphocholine was lower in cerebellum regions in the patients with gluten ataxia compared to healthy controls. A significant reduction in the white matter of (total brain, cerebellum, and cerebrum); reduction in the volumes of cerebellum lobe (X) and thalamus while lateral ventricles were increased in the patients with gluten ataxia compared to healthy controls. The reduced neuronal metabolites along with structural changes in the brain suggested neuronal degeneration in the patients with gluten ataxia. Our preliminary findings may be useful in understanding the gluten-induced cerebral damage and indicated that MRI and MRS may serve as a non-invasive useful tool in the early diagnosis, thereby enabling better management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwa Rawat
- Department of NMR and MRI Facility, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ritu Tyagi
- Department of NMR and MRI Facility, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Inder Singh
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Prasenjit Das
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Govind K. Makharia
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Uma Sharma
- Department of NMR and MRI Facility, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Uma Sharma
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19
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Cooze BJ, Dickerson M, Loganathan R, Watkins LM, Grounds E, Pearson BR, Bevan RJ, Morgan BP, Magliozzi R, Reynolds R, Neal JW, Howell OW. The association between neurodegeneration and local complement activation in the thalamus to progressive multiple sclerosis outcome. Brain Pathol 2022; 32:e13054. [PMID: 35132719 PMCID: PMC9425007 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The extent of grey matter demyelination and neurodegeneration in the progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) brains at post‐mortem associates with more severe disease. Regional tissue atrophy, especially affecting the cortical and deep grey matter, including the thalamus, is prognostic for poor outcomes. Microglial and complement activation are important in the pathogenesis and contribute to damaging processes that underlie tissue atrophy in PMS. We investigated the extent of pathology and innate immune activation in the thalamus in comparison to cortical grey and white matter in blocks from 21 cases of PMS and 10 matched controls. Using a digital pathology workflow, we show that the thalamus is invariably affected by demyelination and had a far higher proportion of active inflammatory lesions than forebrain cortical tissue blocks from the same cases. Lesions were larger and more frequent in the medial nuclei near the ventricular margin, whilst neuronal loss was greatest in the lateral thalamic nuclei. The extent of thalamic neuron loss was not associated with thalamic demyelination but correlated with the burden of white matter pathology in other forebrain areas (Spearman r = 0.79, p < 0.0001). Only thalamic neuronal loss, and not that seen in other forebrain cortical areas, correlated with disease duration (Spearman r = −0.58, p = 0.009) and age of death (Spearman r = −0.47, p = 0.045). Immunoreactivity for the complement pattern recognition molecule C1q, and products of complement activation (C4d, Bb and C3b) were elevated in thalamic lesions with an active inflammatory pathology. Complement regulatory protein, C1 inhibitor, was unchanged in expression. We conclude that active inflammatory demyelination, neuronal loss and local complement synthesis and activation in the thalamus, are important to the pathological and clinical disease outcomes of PMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Cooze
- Faculty of Medical, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Matthew Dickerson
- Faculty of Medical, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | - Lewis M Watkins
- Faculty of Medical, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Ethan Grounds
- Faculty of Medical, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Ben R Pearson
- Faculty of Medical, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Ryan Jack Bevan
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - B Paul Morgan
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Roberta Magliozzi
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy
| | | | - James W Neal
- Faculty of Medical, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Owain W Howell
- Faculty of Medical, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
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20
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Lokhande H, Rosso M, Tauhid S, Chu R, Healy BC, Saxena S, Barro C, Paul A, Polgar-Turcsanyi M, Anderson M, Glanz BI, Kropshofer H, Granziera C, Leppert D, Kappos L, Kuhle J, Weiner HL, Bakshi R, Chitnis T. Serum NfL levels in the first five years predict 10-year thalamic fraction in patients with MS. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin 2022; 8:20552173211069348. [PMID: 35035990 PMCID: PMC8753083 DOI: 10.1177/20552173211069348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels are associated with relapses, MRI lesions, and brain volume in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective To explore the value of early serum neurofilament light (sNfL) measures in prognosticating 10-year regional brain volumes in MS. Methods Patients with MS enrolled in the Comprehensive Longitudinal Investigations in MS at Brigham and Women's Hospital (CLIMB) study within five years of disease onset who had annual blood samples from years 1–10 (n = 91) were studied. sNfL was measured with a single molecule array (SIMOA) assay. We quantified global cortical thickness and normalized deep gray matter (DGM) volumes (fractions of the thalamus, caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus) from high-resolution 3 T MRI at 10 years. Correlations between yearly sNfL levels and 10-year MRI outcomes were assessed using linear regression models. Results sNfL levels from years 1 and 2 were associated with 10-year thalamus fraction. Early sNfL levels were not associated with 10-year putamen, globus pallidus or caudate fractions. At 10 years, cortical thickness was not associated with early sNfL levels, but was weakly correlated with total DGM fraction. Conclusions Early sNfL levels correlate with 10-year thalamic volume, supporting its role as a prognostic biomarker in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mattia Rosso
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Renxin Chu
- Brigham Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian C Healy
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shrishti Saxena
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christian Barro
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Mark Anderson
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bonnie I Glanz
- Brigham Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Cristina Granziera
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Jens Kuhle
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Tanuja Chitnis
- Brigham Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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21
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Tsagkas C, Geiter E, Gaetano L, Naegelin Y, Amann M, Parmar K, Papadopoulou A, Wuerfel J, Kappos L, Sprenger T, Granziera C, Mallar Chakravarty M, Magon S. Longitudinal changes of deep gray matter shape in multiple sclerosis. NEUROIMAGE: CLINICAL 2022; 35:103137. [PMID: 36002960 PMCID: PMC9421532 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific shape changes over time occur at the bilateral ventrolateral pallidal and the left posterolateral striatal surface in relapse-onset multiple sclerosis. These shape changes over time were not associated with disease progression. The average shape of deep gray matter structures was associated with the patients’ average disease severity as well as white matter lesion-load.
Objective This study aimed to investigate longitudinal deep gray matter (DGM) shape changes and their relationship with measures of clinical disability and white matter lesion-load in a large multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort. Materials and Methods A total of 230 MS patients (179 relapsing-remitting, 51 secondary progressive; baseline age 44.5 ± 11.3 years; baseline disease duration 12.99 ± 9.18) underwent annual clinical and MRI examinations over a maximum of 6 years (mean 4.32 ± 2.07 years). The DGM structures were segmented on the T1-weighted images using the “Multiple Automatically Generated Templates” brain algorithm. White matter lesion-load was measured on T2-weighted MRI. Clinical examination included the expanded disability status scale, 9-hole peg test, timed 25-foot walk test, symbol digit modalities test and paced auditory serial addition test. Vertex‐wise longitudinal analysis of DGM shapes was performed using linear mixed effect models and evaluated the association between average/temporal changes of DGM shapes with average/temporal changes of clinical measurements, respectively. Results A significant shrinkage over time of the bilateral ventrolateral pallidal and the left posterolateral striatal surface was observed, whereas no significant shape changes over time were observed at the bilateral thalamic and right striatal surfaces. Higher average lesion-load was associated with an average inwards displacement of the global thalamic surface with relative sparing on the posterior side (slight left-side predominance), the antero-dorso-lateral striatal surfaces bilaterally (symmetric on both sides) and the antero-lateral pallidal surface (left-side predominance). There was also an association between shrinkage of large lateral DGM surfaces with higher clinical motor and cognitive disease severity. However, there was no correlation between any DGM shape changes over time and measurements of clinical progression or lesion-load changes over time. Conclusions This study showed specific shape change of DGM structures occurring over time in relapse-onset MS. Although these shape changes over time were not associated with disease progression, we demonstrated a link between DGM shape and the patients’ average disease severity as well as white matter lesion-load.
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22
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Rizkallah M, Hefida M, Khalil M, Dawoud RM. Automated quantification of deep grey matter structures and white matter lesions using magnetic resonance imaging in relapsing remission multiple sclerosis. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s43055-021-00582-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Brain volume loss (BVL) is widespread in MS and occurs throughout the disease course at a rate considerably greater than in the general population. In MS, brain volume correlates with and predicts future disability, making BVL a relevant measure of diffuse CNS damage leading to clinical disease progression, as well as serving as a useful outcome in evaluating MS therapies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of automated segmentation and quantification of deep grey matter structures and white matter lesions in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis patients using MR images and to correlate the volumetric results with different degrees of disability based on expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores.
Results
All the patients in our study showed relative atrophy of the thalamus and the putamen bilaterally when compared with the normal control group. Statistical analysis was significant for the thalamus and the putamen atrophy (P value < 0.05). On the other hand, statistical analysis was not significant for the caudate and the hippocampus (P value > 0.05); there was a significant positive correlation between the white matter lesions volume and EDSS scores (correlation coefficient of 0.7505). On the other hand, there was a significant negative correlation between the thalamus and putamen volumes, and EDSS scores (correlation coefficients < − 0.9), while the volumes of the caudate and the hippocampus had a very weak and non-significant correlation with the EDSS scores (correlation coefficients > − 0.35).
Conclusions
The automated segmentation and quantification tools have a great role in the assessment of brain structural changes in RRMS patients, and that it became essential to integrate these tools in the daily medical practice for the great value they add to the current evaluation measures.
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23
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Valdés Cabrera D, Smyth P, Blevins G, Emery D, Beaulieu C. Diffusion imaging of fornix and interconnected limbic deep grey matter is linked to cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:277-294. [PMID: 34806796 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown white matter (WM) and deep grey matter (GM) abnormalities in the limbic system of multiple sclerosis (MS) participants. Structures like the fornix have been associated with cognitive impairment (CI) in MS, but the diffusion metrics are often biased by partial volume effects from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) due to its small bundle size and intraventricular location. These errors in DTI parameter estimation worsen with atrophy in MS. The goal here was to evaluate DTI parameters and volumes of the fornix, as well as associated deep GM structures like the thalamus and hippocampus, with high-resolution fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)-DTI at 3T in 43 MS patients, with and without CI, versus 43 controls. The fornix, thalamus and hippocampus displayed atrophy and/or abnormal diffusion metrics, with the fornix showing the most extensive changes within the structures studied here, mainly in CI MS. The affected fornix volumes and diffusion metrics were associated with thalamic atrophy and atypical diffusion metrics in interconnected limbic GM, larger total lesion volume and global brain atrophy. Lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean and radial diffusivity in the fornix, lower hippocampus FA and lower thalamus volume were strongly correlated with CI in MS. Hippocampus FA and thalamus atrophy were negatively correlated with fatigue and longer time since MS symptoms onset, respectively. FLAIR-DTI and volumetric analyses provided methodologically superior evidence for microstructural abnormalities and extensive atrophy of the fornix and interconnected deep GM in MS that were associated with cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Penelope Smyth
- Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gregg Blevins
- Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Derek Emery
- Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christian Beaulieu
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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24
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Tsagkas C, Naegelin Y, Amann M, Papadopoulou A, Barro C, Chakravarty MM, Gaetano L, Wuerfel J, Kappos L, Kuhle J, Granziera C, Sprenger T, Magon S, Parmar K. Central nervous system atrophy predicts future dynamics of disability progression in a real-world multiple sclerosis cohort. Eur J Neurol 2021; 28:4153-4166. [PMID: 34487400 PMCID: PMC9292558 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background and purpose In an era of individualized multiple sclerosis (MS) patient management, biomarkers for accurate prediction of future clinical outcomes are needed. We aimed to evaluate the potential of short‐term magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) atrophy measures and serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) as predictors of the dynamics of disability accumulation in relapse‐onset MS. Methods Brain gray and white matter, thalamic, striatal, pallidal and cervical spinal cord volumes, and lesion load were measured over three available time points (mean time span 2.24 ± 0.70 years) for 183 patients (140 relapsing‐remitting [RRMS] and 43 secondary‐progressive MS (SPMS); 123 female, age 46.4 ± 11.0 years; disease duration 15.7 ± 9.3 years), and their respective annual changes were calculated. Baseline sNfL was also measured at the third available time point for each patient. Subsequently, patients underwent annual clinical examinations over 5.4 ± 3.7 years including Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scoring, the nine‐hole peg test and the timed 25‐foot walk test. Results Higher annual spinal cord atrophy rates and lesion load increase predicted higher future EDSS score worsening over time in SPMS. Lower baseline thalamic volumes predicted higher walking speed worsening over time in RRMS. Lower baseline gray matter, as well as higher white matter and spinal cord atrophy rates, lesion load increase, baseline striatal volumes and baseline sNfL, predicted higher future hand dexterity worsening over time. All models showed reasonable to high prediction accuracy. Conclusion This study demonstrates the capability of short‐term MRI metrics to accurately predict future dynamics of disability progression in a real‐world relapse‐onset MS cohort. The present study represents a step towards the utilization of structural MRI measurements in patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charidimos Tsagkas
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK) Basel, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medical Image Analysis Center AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yvonne Naegelin
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Amann
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medical Image Analysis Center AG, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Athina Papadopoulou
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK) Basel, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Barro
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M Mallar Chakravarty
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, QC, Canada.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Jens Wuerfel
- Medical Image Analysis Center AG, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Ludwig Kappos
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK) Basel, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Granziera
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK) Basel, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medical Image Analysis Center AG, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Till Sprenger
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Neurology, DKD HELIOS Klinik Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Stefano Magon
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Parmar
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK) Basel, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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25
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Colato E, Stutters J, Tur C, Narayanan S, Arnold DL, Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott CAM, Barkhof F, Ciccarelli O, Chard DT, Eshaghi A. Predicting disability progression and cognitive worsening in multiple sclerosis using patterns of grey matter volumes. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2021; 92:995-1006. [PMID: 33879535 PMCID: PMC8372398 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-325610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In multiple sclerosis (MS), MRI measures at the whole brain or regional level are only modestly associated with disability, while network-based measures are emerging as promising prognostic markers. We sought to demonstrate whether data-driven patterns of covarying regional grey matter (GM) volumes predict future disability in secondary progressive MS (SPMS). METHODS We used cross-sectional structural MRI, and baseline and longitudinal data of Expanded Disability Status Scale, Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), from a clinical trial in 988 people with SPMS. We processed T1-weighted scans to obtain GM probability maps and applied spatial independent component analysis (ICA). We repeated ICA on 400 healthy controls. We used survival models to determine whether baseline patterns of covarying GM volume measures predict cognitive and motor worsening. RESULTS We identified 15 patterns of regionally covarying GM features. Compared with whole brain GM, deep GM and lesion volumes, some ICA components correlated more closely with clinical outcomes. A mainly basal ganglia component had the highest correlations at baseline with the SDMT and was associated with cognitive worsening (HR=1.29, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.52, p<0.005). Two ICA components were associated with 9HPT worsening (HR=1.30, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.60, p<0.01 and HR=1.21, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.45, p<0.05). ICA measures could better predict SDMT and 9HPT worsening (C-index=0.69-0.71) compared with models including only whole and regional MRI measures (C-index=0.65-0.69, p value for all comparison <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The disability progression was better predicted by some of the covarying GM regions patterns, than by single regional or whole-brain measures. ICA, which may represent structural brain networks, can be applied to clinical trials and may play a role in stratifying participants who have the most potential to show a treatment effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Colato
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan Stutters
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Carmen Tur
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sridar Narayanan
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Douglas L Arnold
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Claudia A M Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Brain & Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Brain Connectivity Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, NL
| | - Olga Ciccarelli
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,Institute for Health Research (NIHR), University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), London, UK
| | - Declan T Chard
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,Institute for Health Research (NIHR), University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), London, UK
| | - Arman Eshaghi
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
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26
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Cruz-Herranz A, Oertel FC, Kim K, Cantó E, Timmons G, Sin JH, Devereux M, Baker N, Michel B, Schubert RD, Rani L, Cordano C, Baranzini SE, Green AJ. Distinctive waves of innate immune response in the retina in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e149228. [PMID: 34100385 PMCID: PMC8262300 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.149228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration mediates neurological disability in inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the CNS. The role of innate immune cells in mediating this damage has remained controversial with evidence for destructive and protective effects. This has complicated efforts to develop treatment. The time sequence and dynamic evolution of the opposing functions are especially unclear. Given limits of in vivo monitoring in human diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), animal models are warranted to investigate the association and timing of innate immune activation with neurodegeneration. Using noninvasive in vivo retinal imaging of experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) in CX3CR1GFP/+–knock-in mice followed by transcriptional profiling, we are able to show 2 distinct waves separated by a marked reduction in the number of innate immune cells and change in cell morphology. The first wave is characterized by an inflammatory phagocytic phenotype preceding the onset of EAE, whereas the second wave is characterized by a regulatory, antiinflammatory phenotype during the chronic stage. Additionally, the magnitude of the first wave is associated with neuronal loss. Two transcripts identified — growth arrest–specific protein 6 (GAS6) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) — might be promising targets for enhancing protective effects of microglia in the chronic phase after initial injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Cruz-Herranz
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Frederike C Oertel
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.,Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Max-Delbrück-Centrum for Molecular Medicine, and.,NeuroCure Clinical Research Center (NCRC), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kicheol Kim
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ester Cantó
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Garrett Timmons
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jung H Sin
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michael Devereux
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nicholas Baker
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Brady Michel
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ryan D Schubert
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lakshmisahithi Rani
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Christian Cordano
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sergio E Baranzini
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ari J Green
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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27
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Schoonheim MM, Pinter D, Prouskas SE, Broeders TA, Pirpamer L, Khalil M, Ropele S, Uitdehaag BM, Barkhof F, Enzinger C, Geurts JJ. Disability in multiple sclerosis is related to thalamic connectivity and cortical network atrophy. Mult Scler 2021; 28:61-70. [PMID: 33870779 DOI: 10.1177/13524585211008743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thalamic atrophy is proposed to be a major predictor of disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), while thalamic function remains understudied. OBJECTIVES To study how thalamic functional connectivity (FC) is related to disability and thalamic or cortical network atrophy in two large MS cohorts. METHODS Structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was obtained in 673 subjects from Amsterdam (MS: N = 332, healthy controls (HC): N = 96) and Graz (MS: N = 180, HC: N = 65) with comparable protocols, including disability measurements in MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS). Atrophy was measured for the thalamus and seven well-recognized resting-state networks. Static and dynamic thalamic FC with these networks was correlated with disability. Significant correlates were included in a backward multivariate regression model. RESULTS Disability was most strongly related (adjusted R2 = 0.57, p < 0.001) to higher age, a progressive phenotype, thalamic atrophy and increased static thalamic FC with the sensorimotor network (SMN). Static thalamus-SMN FC was significantly higher in patients with high disability (EDSS ⩾ 4) and related to network atrophy but not thalamic atrophy or lesion volumes. CONCLUSION The severity of disability in MS was related to increased static thalamic FC with the SMN. Thalamic FC changes were only related to cortical network atrophy, but not to thalamic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menno M Schoonheim
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela Pinter
- Department of Neurology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefanos E Prouskas
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tommy Aa Broeders
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lukas Pirpamer
- Department of Neurology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Khalil
- Department of Neurology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Ropele
- Department of Neurology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Bernard Mj Uitdehaag
- Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands/Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Christian Enzinger
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Vascular and Inverventional Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jeroen Jg Geurts
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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28
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Contribution of Gray Matter Atrophy and White Matter Damage to Cognitive Impairment in Mildly Disabled Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11030578. [PMID: 33807060 PMCID: PMC8005138 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11030578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment (CI) is frequently present in multiple sclerosis patients. Despite ongoing research, the neurological substrates have not been fully elucidated. In this study we investigated the contribution of gray and white matter in the CI observed in mildly disabled relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. For that purpose, 30 patients with RRMS (median EDSS = 2), and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. CI was assessed using the symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) and the memory alteration test. Brain magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), voxel-based morphometry (VBM), brain segmentation, thalamic vertex analysis, and connectivity-based thalamic parcellation analyses were performed. RRMS patients scored significantly lower in both cognitive tests. In the patient group, significant atrophy in the thalami was observed. Multiple regression analyses revealed associations between SDMT scores and GM volume in both hemispheres in the temporal, parietal, frontal, and occipital lobes. The DTI results pointed to white matter damage in all thalamocortical connections, the corpus callosum, and several fasciculi. Multiple regression and correlation analyses suggested that in RRMS patients with mild disease, thalamic atrophy and thalamocortical connection damage may lead to slower cognitive processing. Furthermore, white matter damage at specific fasciculi may be related to episodic memory impairment.
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29
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Lateral geniculate nucleus volume changes after optic neuritis in neuromyelitis optica: A longitudinal study. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2021; 30:102608. [PMID: 33735786 PMCID: PMC7974320 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
LGN correlates with structural markers of the anterior and posterior visual pathway. LGN volume may reduce after an episode of ON, shown in four patients. LGN volume does not change over time in the absence of ON episodes. Our findings argue against occult neurodegeneration in the visual pathway in NMO.
Objectives Lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) volume is reduced after optic neuritis (ON) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). We aimed at a longitudinal assessment of LGN volume in NMOSD. Methods Twenty-nine patients with aquaporin 4-IgG seropositive NMOSD (age: 47.8 ± 14.6 years (y), female: n = 27, history of ON (NMO-ON): n = 17, median time since ON: 3[1.2–12.1]y) and 18 healthy controls (HC; age: 39.3 ± 15.8y; female: n = 13) were included. Median follow-up was 4.1[1.1–4.7]y for patients and 1.7[0.9–3.2]y for HC. LGN volume was measured using a multi-atlas-based approach of automated segmentation on 3 Tesla magnetic resonance images. Retinal optical coherence tomography and probabilistic tractography of the optic radiations (OR) were also performed. Results At baseline, NMO-ON patients had lower LGN volumes (395.4 ± 48.9 mm3) than patients without ON (NMO-NON: 450.7 ± 55.6 mm3; p = 0.049) and HC (444.5 ± 61.5 mm3, p = 0.025). LGN volume was associated with retinal neuroaxonal loss and microstructural OR damage. Longitudinally, there was no change in LGN volumes in the absence of ON, neither in all patients (B = −0.6, SE = 1.4, p = 0.670), nor in NMO-ON (B = −0.8, SE = 1.6, p = 0.617) and NMO-NON (B = 1.7, SE = 3.5, p = 0.650). However, in four patients with new ON during follow-up, LGN volume was reduced at last visit (median time since ON: 2.6 [1.8–3.9] y) compared to the measurement before ON (352 ± 52.7 vs. 371.1 ± 55.9 mm3; t = −3.6, p = 0.036). Conclusion Although LGN volume is reduced after ON in NMOSD, this volume loss is not progressive over longer follow-up or independent of ON. Thus, our findings -at least in this relatively small cohort- do not support occult neurodegeneration of the afferent visual pathway in NMOSD.
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30
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Filippi M, Preziosa P, Barkhof F, Chard DT, De Stefano N, Fox RJ, Gasperini C, Kappos L, Montalban X, Moraal B, Reich DS, Rovira À, Toosy AT, Traboulsee A, Weinshenker BG, Zeydan B, Banwell BL, Rocca MA. Diagnosis of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis From the Imaging Perspective: A Review. JAMA Neurol 2021; 78:351-364. [PMID: 33315071 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.4689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Importance Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for monitoring disease dissemination in space and over time and excluding multiple sclerosis (MS) mimics, there has been less application of MRI to progressive MS, including diagnosing primary progressive (PP) MS and identifying patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) MS who are at risk of developing secondary progressive (SP) MS. This review addresses clinical application of MRI for both diagnosis and prognosis of progressive MS. Observations Although nonspecific, some spinal cord imaging features (diffuse abnormalities and lesions involving gray matter [GM] and ≥2 white matter columns) are typical of PPMS. In patients with PPMS and those with relapse-onset MS, location of lesions in critical central nervous system regions (spinal cord, infratentorial regions, and GM) and MRI-detected high inflammatory activity in the first years after diagnosis are risk factors for long-term disability and future progressive disease course. These measures are evaluable in clinical practice. In patients with established MS, GM involvement and neurodegeneration are associated with accelerated clinical worsening. Subpial demyelination and slowly expanding lesions are novel indicators of progressive MS. Conclusions and Relevance Diagnosis of PPMS is more challenging than diagnosis of RRMS. No qualitative clinical, immunological, histopathological, or neuroimaging features differentiate PPMS and SPMS; both are characterized by imaging findings reflecting neurodegeneration and are also impacted by aging and comorbidities. Unmet diagnostic needs include identification of MRI markers capable of distinguishing PPMS from RRMS and predicting the evolution of RRMS to SPMS. Integration of multiple parameters will likely be essential to achieve these aims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricovero e di Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurophysiology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Preziosa
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricovero e di Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Multiple Sclerosis Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Declan T Chard
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Research Unit, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research, University College London Hospitals, Biomedical Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola De Stefano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Robert J Fox
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Claudio Gasperini
- Department of Neurology, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Ludwig Kappos
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research, Biomedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Xavier Montalban
- Department of Neurology, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya (Cemcat), Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Division of Neurology, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bastiaan Moraal
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Multiple Sclerosis Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel S Reich
- Translational Neuroradiology Section, Division of Neuroimmunology and Neurovirology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Àlex Rovira
- Neuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology (IDI), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Research Institute (VHIR), Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ahmed T Toosy
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Research Unit, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Traboulsee
- MS/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Research Group, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Burcu Zeydan
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Brenda L Banwell
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Maria A Rocca
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricovero e di Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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31
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Bergsland N, Benedict RHB, Dwyer MG, Fuchs TA, Jakimovski D, Schweser F, Tavazzi E, Weinstock-Guttman B, Zivadinov R. Thalamic Nuclei Volumes and Their Relationships to Neuroperformance in Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Structural MRI Study. J Magn Reson Imaging 2021; 53:731-739. [PMID: 33044013 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although reduced thalamic volume is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS)-related clinical impairment, the role of individual thalamic nuclei remains poorly understood. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS To test whether individual thalamic nuclei volumes are more strongly associated with clinical disability than the whole thalamic volume. STUDY TYPE Retrospective analysis of a prospective dataset. SUBJECTS A total of 108 MS patients and 48 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) FIELD STRENGTH: 3T. SEQUENCES 3D T1 -weighted inversion recovery spoiled gradient echo; 2D T2 -weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery spin echo; 2D dual-echo proton density-weighted/T2 -weighted spin echo. ASSESSMENTS Clinical assessments included the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMTR), and the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT2). FreeSurfer provided anterior, intralaminar, lateral, medial, ventral, posterior, and total volumes. STATISTICAL TESTS False discovery rate-corrected partial correlations (controlling for age, sex, and education) to assess the relationships between volumes and neuroperformance. RESULTS Compared to HCs, MS patients presented with lower thalamic nuclei volumes (P < 0.05) except for the intralaminar nucleus (P = 0.279) and scored worse on all neuroperformance scales (P ≤ 0.05) except for CVLT2 (P = 0.151). All nuclei except intralaminar were associated with EDSS (correlation coefficient range: -0.233 to -0.395), SDMT (range: 0.247-0.423), and 9HPT (range: -0.232 to -0.303) (all P < 0.05). BVMTR was associated with anterior (r = 0.319), lateral (r = 0.31), and medial (r = 0.304) volumes (all P < 0.05). T25FW correlated with ventral (r = -0.392) and total (r = -0.309) volumes (both P < 0.05), with the latter being significantly greater (P < 0.05). DATA CONCLUSION Assessing individual nuclei volume can aid in unraveling the relationship between thalamic pathology and disparate aspects of MS-related disability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Bergsland
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
- IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy
| | - Ralph H B Benedict
- Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Michael G Dwyer
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Tom A Fuchs
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Dejan Jakimovski
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Ferdinand Schweser
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Center for Biomedical Imaging at Clinical Translational Science Institute, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Eleonora Tavazzi
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
- Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Robert Zivadinov
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Center for Biomedical Imaging at Clinical Translational Science Institute, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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32
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Tsagkas C, Parmar K, Pezold S, Barro C, Chakravarty MM, Gaetano L, Naegelin Y, Amann M, Papadopoulou A, Wuerfel J, Kappos L, Kuhle J, Sprenger T, Granziera C, Magon S. Classification of multiple sclerosis based on patterns of CNS regional atrophy covariance. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:2399-2415. [PMID: 33624390 PMCID: PMC8090784 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
There is evidence that multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology leads to distinct patterns of volume loss over time (VLOT) in different central nervous system (CNS) structures. We aimed to use such patterns to identify patient subgroups. MS patients of all classical disease phenotypes underwent annual clinical, blood, and MRI examinations over 6 years. Spinal, striatal, pallidal, thalamic, cortical, white matter, and T2‐weighted lesion volumes as well as serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) were quantified. CNS VLOT patterns were identified using principal component analysis and patients were classified using hierarchical cluster analysis. 225 MS patients were classified into four distinct Groups A, B, C, and D including 14, 59, 141, and 11 patients, respectively). These groups did not differ in baseline demographics, disease duration, disease phenotype distribution, and lesion‐load expansion. Interestingly, Group A showed pronounced spinothalamic VLOT, Group B marked pallidal VLOT, Group C small between‐structure VLOT differences, and Group D myelocortical volume increase and pronounced white matter VLOT. Neurologic deficits were more severe and progressed faster in Group A that also had higher mean sNfL levels than all other groups. Group B experienced more frequent relapses than Group C. In conclusion, there are distinct patterns of VLOT across the CNS in MS patients, which do not overlap with clinical MS subtypes and are independent of disease duration and lesion‐load but are partially associated to sNfL levels, relapse rates, and clinical worsening. Our findings support the need for a more biologic classification of MS subtypes including volumetric and body‐fluid markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charidimos Tsagkas
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK) Basel, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medical Image Analysis Center AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Parmar
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK) Basel, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon Pezold
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Christian Barro
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mallar M Chakravarty
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Cerebral Imaging Centre-Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, QC, Canada.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Yvonne Naegelin
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Amann
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Medical Image Analysis Center AG, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Athina Papadopoulou
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK) Basel, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Wuerfel
- Medical Image Analysis Center AG, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland.,NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ludwig Kappos
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK) Basel, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Till Sprenger
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Neurology, DKD HELIOS Klinik Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Cristina Granziera
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINK) Basel, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Magon
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
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33
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Datta R, Bacchus MK, Kumar D, Elliott MA, Rao A, Dolui S, Reddy R, Banwell BL, Saranathan M. Fast automatic segmentation of thalamic nuclei from MP2RAGE acquisition at 7 Tesla. Magn Reson Med 2020; 85:2781-2790. [PMID: 33270943 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Thalamic nuclei are largely invisible in conventional MRI due to poor contrast. Thalamus Optimized Multi-Atlas Segmentation (THOMAS) provides automatic segmentation of 12 thalamic nuclei using white-matter-nulled (WMn) Magnetization Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo (MPRAGE) sequence at 7T, but increases overall scan duration. Routinely acquired, bias-corrected Magnetization Prepared 2 Rapid Gradient Echo (MP2RAGE) sequence yields superior tissue contrast and quantitative T1 maps. Application of THOMAS to MP2RAGE has been investigated in this study. METHODS Eight healthy volunteers and five pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis patients were recruited at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and scanned at Siemens 7T with WMn-MPRAGE and multi-echo-MP2RAGE (ME-MP2RAGE) sequences. White-matter-nulled contrast was synthesized (MP2-SYN) from T1 maps from ME-MP2RAGE sequence. Thalamic nuclei were segmented using THOMAS joint label fusion algorithm from WMn-MPRAGE and MP2-SYN datasets. THOMAS pipeline was modified to use majority voting to segment bias corrected T1-weighted uniform (MP2-UNI) images. Thalamic nuclei from MP2-SYN and MP2-UNI images were evaluated against corresponding nuclei obtained from WMn-MPRAGE images using dice coefficients, volume similarity indices (VSIs) and distance between centroids. RESULTS For MP2-SYN, dice > 0.85 and VSI > 0.95 was achieved for five larger nuclei and dice > 0.6 and VSI > 0.7 was achieved for seven smaller nuclei. The dice and VSI were slightly higher, whereas the distance between centroids were smaller for MP2-SYN compared to MP2-UNI, indicating improved performance using the MP2-SYN image. CONCLUSIONS THOMAS algorithm can successfully segment thalamic nuclei in MP2RAGE images with essentially equivalent quality as WMn-MPRAGE, widening its applicability in studies focused on thalamic involvement in aging and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritobrato Datta
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Micky K Bacchus
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dushyant Kumar
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mark A Elliott
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aditya Rao
- Biological Basis of Behavior Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sudipto Dolui
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brenda L Banwell
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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34
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Lui EH. Editorial for "Thalamic Nuclei Volumes and Their Relationships to Neuroperformance in Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Structural MRI Study". J Magn Reson Imaging 2020; 53:740-741. [PMID: 33103820 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elaine H Lui
- Department of Medicine and Radiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Radiology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Pérez CA, Salehbeiki A, Zhu L, Wolinsky JS, Lincoln JA. Assessment of Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Volumetric MRI Correlates of Clinical Disability in Multiple Sclerosis: A Preliminary Study. J Neuroimaging 2020; 31:115-123. [PMID: 32949483 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Although global and regional brain volume has been established as a relevant measure to define and predict multiple sclerosis (MS) severity, characterization of specific trends by race/ethnicity is currently lacking. We aim to (1) characterize racial disparities in disability-specific patterns of brain MRI volumetric measures between Hispanic and Caucasian individuals with MS and (2) explore the relevance of these measures as predictors of clinical disability progression. METHODS Brain MRI scans from 94 Hispanic and 94 age- and gender-matched Caucasian MS patients were analyzed using automatic and manual segmentation techniques. Select global and regional volume measures were correlated to Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores at baseline and subsequent follow-up visits. RESULTS Hispanic patients had a higher baseline median EDSS score (interquartile range [IQR], 2.0; [1.0-3.5]) compared to Caucasians (median [IQR], 1.0 [.0-2.0]) and an increased risk of requiring ambulatory assistance (hazard ratio [HR], 9.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8-32.5). Normalized thalamic volume was moderately associated with EDSS scores (rs = -.42, P < .001 in Hispanics; rs = -.32, P = .002 in Caucasians) and was the best predictor of sustained disability worsening in both racial groups in a time-to-event analysis. CONCLUSIONS The confounding impact of race on quantitative brain volume measures may affect the interpretation of outcome measures in MS clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Pérez
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School (UT Health), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Alireza Salehbeiki
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School (UT Health), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Liang Zhu
- Biostatistics & Epidemiology Research Design Core Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Jerry S Wolinsky
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School (UT Health), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
| | - John A Lincoln
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School (UT Health), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
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