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Chaves AR, Tremblay S, Pilutti L, Ploughman M. Lowered ratio of corticospinal excitation to inhibition predicts greater disability, poorer motor and cognitive function in multiple sclerosis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35834. [PMID: 39170378 PMCID: PMC11337054 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35834] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Investigate excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) (im)balance using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and determine its validity as a neurophysiological biomarker of disability. Methods Participants with MS (n = 83) underwent TMS, cognitive, and motor function assessments. TMS-induced motor evoked potential amplitudes (excitability) and cortical silent periods (inhibition) were assessed bilaterally through recruitment curves. The E/I ratio was calculated as the ratio of excitation to inhibition. Results Participants with greater disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS≥3) exhibited lower excitability and increased inhibition compared to those with lower disability (EDSS<3). This resulted in lower E/I ratios in the higher disability group. Individuals with higher disability presented with asymmetrical E/I ratios between brain hemispheres, a pattern not present in the group with lower disability. In regression analyses controlling for demographics, lowered TMS-probed E/I ratio predicted variance in disability (R2 = 0.37, p < 0.001), upper extremity function (R2 = 0.35, p < 0.001), walking speed (R2 = 0.22, p = 0.005), and cognitive performance (R2 = 0.25, p = 0.007). Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis confirmed 'excellent' discriminative ability of the E/I ratio in distinguishing high and low disability. Finally, excitation superiorly correlated with the E/I ratio than overall inhibition in both hemispheres (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusion The E/I ratio is a potential neurophysiological biomarker of disability level in MS, especially when assessed in the hemisphere corresponding to the weaker body side. Interventions aimed at increasing cortical excitation or reducing inhibition may restore E/I balance potentially stalling progression or improving function in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur R. Chaves
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Neuromodulation Research Clinic, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, ON, Canada
- Département de Psychoéducation et de Psychologie, Université Du Québec en Outaouais, QC, Canada
| | - Sara Tremblay
- Neuromodulation Research Clinic, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, ON, Canada
- Département de Psychoéducation et de Psychologie, Université Du Québec en Outaouais, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lara Pilutti
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Sarabzadeh M, Shariatzadeh M. Electroneuromyography comparison between pre-elderly adult females with and without MS; the potential role of a mind-body therapy in improving neurophysiological profile of MS during pandemic. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2024; 39:489-495. [PMID: 38876673 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.03.026] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Imaginary exercises seem to be useful therapeutic approaches to modulate neuromuscular functions due to two main reasons: first, this training would not greatly increase body temperature, and secondly, it can positively affect brain-muscle pathways-which are both primary factors should be considered in rehabilitation programs for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHOD 32 pre-elderly adult females with relapsing-remitting MS (n = 16 - age M (SD): 56.75 (5.07)) and without MS (n = 16 - age M (SD): 56.56 (4.35)) voluntarily recruited. First, they were assigned into two groups: MS patients and healthy controls, to investigate baseline between-group comparison. Then, MS patients were randomly divided into two groups of eight each, designated as experimental and control groups. Recording the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of tibial nerve and integrated electromyographic muscle activation (IEMG) of gastrocnemius muscle was conducted twice, before and after a six-week mind-body exercise therapy to evaluate its effectiveness on improving neuromuscular function. RESULTS The results showed significant difference in both tibial NCV (P < 0.001) and IEMG (P = 0.001) variables between non-MS group and MS group. Furthermore, there was a significant main effect of intervention (P = 0.05) and time (P < 0.001) on IEMG in the MS group, while there was no significant effect of intervention (P = 0.18) and time (P = 0.23) on NCV (p = 0.89). CONCLUSION Neuromuscular dysfunction were apparent in MS patients, and a mind-body therapy of imagery isometric training was found to be useful on improving the neurological deficit in women with MS. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER UMIN000046935.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Sarabzadeh
- Research Associate in Exercise Physiology & Neurophysiotherapy, Iran's National Elites Foundation (INEF), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Shariatzadeh
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. Tel: 0989122914857.
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Baldasso BD, Raza SZ, Islam SS, Burry IB, Newell CJ, Hillier SR, Ploughman M. Disrupted hemodynamic response within dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during cognitive tasks among people with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303211. [PMID: 38837991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303211] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mental fatigue is an early and enduring symptom in persons with autoimmune disease particularly multiple sclerosis (MS). Neuromodulation has emerged as a potential treatment although optimal cortical targets have yet to be determined. We aimed to examine cortical hemodynamic responses within bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and frontopolar areas during single and dual cognitive tasks in persons with MS-related fatigue compared to matched controls. METHODS We recruited persons (15 MS and 12 age- and sex-matched controls) who did not have physical or cognitive impairment and were free from depressive symptoms. Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) registered hemodynamic responses during the tasks. We calculated oxyhemoglobin peak, time-to-peak, coherence between channels (a potential marker of neurovascular coupling) and functional connectivity (z-score). RESULTS In MS, dlPFC demonstrated disrupted hemodynamic coherence during both single and dual tasks, as evidenced by non-significant and negative correlations between fNIRS channels. In MS, reduced coherence occurred in left dorsolateral PFC during the single task but occurred bilaterally as the task became more challenging. Functional connectivity was lower during dual compared to single tasks in the right dorsolateral PFC in both groups. Lower z-score was related to greater feelings of fatigue. Peak and time-to-peak hemodynamic response did not differ between groups or tasks. CONCLUSIONS Hemodynamic responses were inconsistent and disrupted in people with MS experiencing mental fatigue, which worsened as the task became more challenging. Our findings point to dlPFC, but not frontopolar areas, as a potential target for neuromodulation to treat cognitive fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna D Baldasso
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Syed Z Raza
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Sadman S Islam
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
- Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Isabella B Burry
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Caitlin J Newell
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Sydney R Hillier
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Michelle Ploughman
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
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Snow NJ, Landine J, Chaves AR, Ploughman M. Age and asymmetry of corticospinal excitability, but not cardiorespiratory fitness, predict cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 15:131-142. [PMID: 37577407 PMCID: PMC10412844 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.07.002] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cognitive impairment is a disabling and underestimated consequence of multiple sclerosis (MS), with multiple determinants that are poorly understood. Objectives We explored predictors of MS-related processing speed impairment (PSI) and age-related mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and hypothesized that cardiorespiratory fitness and corticospinal excitability would predict these impairments. Methods We screened 73 adults with MS (53 females; median [range]: Age 48 [21-70] years, EDSS 2.0 [0.0-6.5]) for PSI and MCI using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test and Montréal Cognitive Assessment, respectively. We identified six persons with PSI (No PSI, n = 67) and 13 with MCI (No MCI, n = 60). We obtained clinical data from medical records and self-reports; used transcranial magnetic stimulation to test corticospinal excitability; and assessed cardiorespiratory fitness using a graded maximal exercise test. We used receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves to discern predictors of PSI and MCI. Results Interhemispheric asymmetry of corticospinal excitability was specific for PSI, while age was both sensitive and specific for MCI. MS-related PSI was also associated with statin prescriptions, while age-related MCI was related to progressive MS and GABA agonist prescriptions. Cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with neither PSI nor MCI. Discussion Corticospinal excitability is a potential marker of neurodegeneration in MS-related PSI, independent of age-related effects on global cognitive function. Age is a key predictor of mild global cognitive impairment. Cardiorespiratory fitness did not predict cognitive impairments in this clinic-based sample of persons with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J. Snow
- Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Josef Landine
- Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Arthur R. Chaves
- Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Michelle Ploughman
- Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Murphy HM, Fetter CM, Snow NJ, Chaves AR, Downer MB, Ploughman M. Lower corticospinal excitability and greater fatigue among people with multiple sclerosis experiencing pain. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin 2023; 9:20552173221143398. [PMID: 36636581 PMCID: PMC9830099 DOI: 10.1177/20552173221143398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently report pain that negatively affects their quality of life. Evidence linking pain and corticospinal excitability in MS is sparse. We aimed to (1) examine differences in corticospinal excitability in MS participants with and without pain and (2) explore predictors of pain. Methods Sixty-four participants rated their pain severity on a visual analog scale (VAS). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and validated clinical instruments characterized corticospinal excitability and subjective disease features like mood and fatigue. We retrieved information on participants' prescriptions and disability status from their clinical records. Results Fifty-five percent of participants reported pain that affected their daily functioning. Persons with pain had significantly greater fatigue and lower area under the excitatory motor evoked potential (MEP) recruitment curve (eREC AUC), a measure of total corticospinal excitability. After controlling for age, disability status, and pain medications, increased fatigue and decreased eREC AUC together explained 40% of the variance in pain. Discussion Pain in MS is multifactorial and relates to both greater fatigue and lesser corticospinal excitability. Future work should better characterize relationships between these outcomes to develop targeted pain interventions such as neuromodulation. Summary We examined pain in MS. Individuals with pain had higher fatigue and lower corticospinal excitability than those without pain. These outcomes significantly predicted self-reported pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Murphy
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of
Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Canada
| | - Christopher M. Fetter
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of
Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Canada
| | - Nicholas J. Snow
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of
Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Canada
| | - Arthur R. Chaves
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of
Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Canada
| | - Matthew B. Downer
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of
Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Canada
| | - Michelle Ploughman
- Recovery & Performance Laboratory, Faculty of
Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland and
Labrador, Canada,Michelle Ploughman, Recovery
& Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of
Newfoundland, LA Miller Centre, 100 Forest Road, St. John's, NL, A1A1E5, Canada.
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Alvarez-Sanchez N, Dunn SE. Potential biological contributers to the sex difference in multiple sclerosis progression. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1175874. [PMID: 37122747 PMCID: PMC10140530 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1175874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease that targets the myelin sheath of central nervous system (CNS) neurons leading to axon injury, neuronal death, and neurological progression. Though women are more highly susceptible to developing MS, men that develop this disease exhibit greater cognitive impairment and accumulate disability more rapidly than women. Magnetic resonance imaging and pathology studies have revealed that the greater neurological progression seen in males correlates with chronic immune activation and increased iron accumulation at the rims of chronic white matter lesions as well as more intensive whole brain and grey matter atrophy and axon loss. Studies in humans and in animal models of MS suggest that male aged microglia do not have a higher propensity for inflammation, but may become more re-active at the rim of white matter lesions as a result of the presence of pro-inflammatory T cells, greater astrocyte activation or iron release from oligodendrocytes in the males. There is also evidence that remyelination is more efficient in aged female than aged male rodents and that male neurons are more susceptible to oxidative and nitrosative stress. Both sex chromosome complement and sex hormones contribute to these sex differences in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Alvarez-Sanchez
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shannon E. Dunn
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Immunology, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Shannon E. Dunn,
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Lanza G, Fisicaro F, Dubbioso R, Ranieri F, Chistyakov AV, Cantone M, Pennisi M, Grasso AA, Bella R, Di Lazzaro V. A comprehensive review of transcranial magnetic stimulation in secondary dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:995000. [PMID: 36225892 PMCID: PMC9549917 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.995000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although primary degenerative diseases are the main cause of dementia, a non-negligible proportion of patients is affected by a secondary and potentially treatable cognitive disorder. Therefore, diagnostic tools able to early identify and monitor them and to predict the response to treatment are needed. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neurophysiological technique capable of evaluating in vivo and in “real time” the motor areas, the cortico-spinal tract, and the neurotransmission pathways in several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including cognitive impairment and dementia. While consistent evidence has been accumulated for Alzheimer’s disease, other degenerative cognitive disorders, and vascular dementia, to date a comprehensive review of TMS studies available in other secondary dementias is lacking. These conditions include, among others, normal-pressure hydrocephalus, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease and other immunologically mediated diseases, as well as a number of inflammatory, infective, metabolic, toxic, nutritional, endocrine, sleep-related, and rare genetic disorders. Overall, we observed that, while in degenerative dementia neurophysiological alterations might mirror specific, and possibly primary, neuropathological changes (and hence be used as early biomarkers), this pathogenic link appears to be weaker for most secondary forms of dementia, in which neurotransmitter dysfunction is more likely related to a systemic or diffuse neural damage. In these cases, therefore, an effort toward the understanding of pathological mechanisms of cognitive impairment should be made, also by investigating the relationship between functional alterations of brain circuits and the specific mechanisms of neuronal damage triggered by the causative disease. Neurophysiologically, although no distinctive TMS pattern can be identified that might be used to predict the occurrence or progression of cognitive decline in a specific condition, some TMS-associated measures of cortical function and plasticity (such as the short-latency afferent inhibition, the short-interval intracortical inhibition, and the cortical silent period) might add useful information in most of secondary dementia, especially in combination with suggestive clinical features and other diagnostic tests. The possibility to detect dysfunctional cortical circuits, to monitor the disease course, to probe the response to treatment, and to design novel neuromodulatory interventions in secondary dementia still represents a gap in the literature that needs to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giuseppe Lanza,
| | - Francesco Fisicaro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Federico Ranieri
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Mariagiovanna Cantone
- Neurology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital “G. Rodolico – San Marco”, Catania, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Sant’Elia Hospital, ASP Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta, Italy
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alfio Antonio Grasso
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Bella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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Magyari M, Koch-Henriksen N. Quantitative effect of sex on disease activity and disability accumulation in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2022; 93:716-722. [PMID: 35393340 PMCID: PMC9279846 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-328994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantify sex differences in activity and severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) and how it depends on disease duration and time since clinical onset. METHODS All Danish citizens with onset of relapsing MS since 1996 who have received disease-modifying therapy have been followed with annual or biannual control visits with mandatory notification of the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry. Men and women were compared by the inverse probability of being female. Relapse rates and changes in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were analysed with weighted general linear models, and we used weighted Cox regression for HRs between men and women for different EDSS endpoints. RESULTS We included 3028 men and 6619 women. The weighted female:male relapse rate ratio was 1.16 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.22) but after age 50 years, the difference disappeared. The annualised increase in EDSS was 0.07 in men (95% CI: 0.05 to 0.08) and 0.05 in women (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.06); p=0.017. With women as reference, the HR for reaching EDSS 4 was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.23 to 1.45; p<0.001), and for reaching EDSS 6 it was 1.43 (95% CI: 1.28 to 1.61; p<0.001). The diagnostic delay did not differ significantly between the sexes. CONCLUSION Women have more inflammatory disease activity in terms of relapses than men up to the age of menopause indicating that sex hormones may play a role. Men are more subject to the neurodegenerative component of MS than women, particularly after the age of 45 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Magyari
- Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark .,The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nils Koch-Henriksen
- The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Balloff C, Penner IK, Ma M, Georgiades I, Scala L, Troullinakis N, Graf J, Kremer D, Aktas O, Hartung HP, Meuth SG, Schnitzler A, Groiss SJ, Albrecht P. The degree of cortical plasticity correlates with cognitive performance in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:403-413. [PMID: 35182811 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cortical reorganization and plasticity may compensate for structural damage in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It is important to establish sensitive methods to measure these compensatory mechanisms, as they may be of prognostic value. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between the degree of cortical plasticity and cognitive performance and to compare plasticity between MS patients and healthy controls (HCs). METHODS The amplitudes of the motor evoked potential (MEP) pre and post quadripulse stimulation (QPS) applied over the contralateral motor cortex served as measure of the degree of cortical plasticity in 63 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 55 matched HCs. The main outcomes were the correlation coefficients between the difference of MEP amplitudes post and pre QPS and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R), and the QPSxgroup interaction in a mixed model predicting the MEP amplitude. RESULTS SDMT and BVMT-R correlated significantly with QPS-induced cortical plasticity in RRMS patients. Plasticity was significantly reduced in patients with cognitive impairment compared to patients with preserved cognitive function and the degree of plasticity differentiated between both patient groups. Interestingly, the overall RRMS patient cohort did not show reduced plasticity compared to HCs. CONCLUSIONS We provide first evidence that QPS-induced plasticity may inform about the global synaptic plasticity in RRMS which correlates with cognitive performance as well as clinical disability. Larger longitudinal studies on patients with MS are needed to investigate the relevance and prognostic value of this measure for disease progression and recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Balloff
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany; Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Iris-Katharina Penner
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany; Cogito Center for Applied Neurocognition and Neuropsychological Research, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany; Department of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Meng Ma
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Iason Georgiades
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Lina Scala
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Nina Troullinakis
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Jonas Graf
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - David Kremer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Orhan Aktas
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Hartung
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany; Brain and Mind Center, University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sven Günther Meuth
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Alfons Schnitzler
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany; Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Jun Groiss
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany; Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany.
| | - Philipp Albrecht
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
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