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Akaishi T, Fujimori J, Yokote H, Nakashima I. Continuous diffuse brain atrophy independent of relapse as a hallmark of multiple sclerosis beginning from relapsing-remitting stage. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2024; 242:108342. [PMID: 38772279 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2024.108342] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurodegenerative changes are observed in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and are prominent in secondary progressive MS (SPMS). However, whether neurodegenerative changes accelerate and are altered after the transition into SPMS or in the presence of relapses remains uncertain. METHODS In this study, 73 patients with MS (seven with relapsing RRMS, 56 with relapse-free RRMS, and 10 with relapse-free SPMS) were evaluated for brain segmental volume changes over a 2-year follow-up period. Volume change was calculated using a within-subject unbiased longitudinal image analysis model. RESULTS The rates of brain volume change in the 11 brain regions evaluated were relatively similar among different brain regions. Moreover, they were similar among the relapsing RRMS, relapse-free RRMS, and SPMS groups, even after adjusting for age. CONCLUSIONS The relatively constant brain segmental atrophy rate throughout the disease course, regardless of relapse episodes, suggests that RRMS and SPMS are continuous, uniform, and silent progressing brain atrophy diseases on a spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Akaishi
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Juichi Fujimori
- Division of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Yokote
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ichiro Nakashima
- Division of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
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Fujimori J, Nakashima I. Early-stage volume losses in the corpus callosum and thalamus predict the progression of brain atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol 2024; 387:578280. [PMID: 38171046 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578280] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A method that can be used in the early stage of multiple sclerosis (MS) to predict the progression of brain volume loss (BVL) has not been fully established. METHODS To develop a method of predicting progressive BVL in patients with MS (pwMS), eighty-two consecutive Japanese pwMS-with either relapsing-remitting MS (86%) or secondary progressive MS (14%)-and 41 healthy controls were included in this longitudinal retrospective analysis over an observational period of approximately 3.5 years. Using a hierarchical cluster analysis with multivariate imaging data obtained by FreeSurfer analysis, we classified the pwMS into clusters. RESULTS At baseline and follow-up, pwMS were cross-sectionally classified into three major clusters (Clusters 1, 2, and 3) in ascending order by disability and BVL. Among the patients included in Cluster 1 at baseline, approximately one-third of patients (12/52) transitioned into Cluster 2 at follow-up. The volumes of the corpus callosum, the thalamus, and the whole brain excluding the ventricles were significantly decreased in the transition group compared with the nontransition group and were found to be the most important predictors of transition. CONCLUSION Decreased volumes of the corpus callosum and thalamus in the relatively early stage of MS may predict the development of BVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juichi Fujimori
- Division of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Ichiro Nakashima
- Division of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
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Akaishi T, Fujimori J, Nakashima I. Enlarged choroid plexus in multiple sclerosis is associated with increased lesion load and atrophy in white matter but not gray matter atrophy. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 82:105424. [PMID: 38181695 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enlargement of the choroid plexus (CP) is reported to associate with inflammatory activity and contribute to brain atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, a recent study in healthy volunteers (HVTs) has suggested that CP enlargement can be attributed to ventriculomegaly. OBJECTIVES To clarify the pathological significance of the enlargement of CP in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS A total of 102 pwMS (89 with relapsing-remitting MS and 13 with secondary progressive MS) and 41 HVTs were cross-sectionally evaluated using brain volumetry. The CP volume was compared between disease groups and investigated for the relationships with other brain regional volumes. RESULTS CP volume was significantly larger in pwMS than in HVTs in the univariate analysis, but not in multivariable analysis. Meanwhile, the CP and lateral ventricle (LV) volumes were significantly correlated. CP enlargement was significantly associated with increased lesion load and cerebral white matter (WM) atrophy, even after adjusting for LV volume. In contrast, multivariable analyses revealed that LV enlargement, but not CP enlargement, was associated with total gray matter (GM) atrophy. CONCLUSION CP enlargement was closely associated with LV enlargement. After adjusting for LV volume, CP enlargement in pwMS was associated with increased lesion load and WM atrophy but not GM atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Akaishi
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan; Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Juichi Fujimori
- Division of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Ichiro Nakashima
- Division of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
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Siger M, Wydra J, Wildner P, Podyma M, Puzio T, Matera K, Stasiołek M, Świderek-Matysiak M. Differences in Brain Atrophy Pattern between People with Multiple Sclerosis and Systemic Diseases with Central Nervous System Involvement Based on Two-Dimensional Linear Measures. J Clin Med 2024; 13:333. [PMID: 38256467 PMCID: PMC10816254 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020333] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in systemic diseases with central nervous system involvement (SDCNS) may imitate MRI findings of multiple sclerosis (MS). In order to better describe the MRI characteristics of these conditions, in our study we assessed brain volume parameters in MS (n = 58) and SDCNS (n = 41) patients using two-dimensional linear measurements (2DLMs): bicaudate ratio (BCR), corpus callosum index (CCI) and width of third ventricle (W3V). In SDCNS patients, all 2DLMs were affected by age (CCI p = 0.005, BCR p < 0.001, W3V p < 0.001, respectively), whereas in MS patients only BCR and W3V were (p = 0.001 and p = 0.015, respectively). Contrary to SDCNS, in the MS cohort BCR and W3V were associated with T1 lesion volume (T1LV) (p = 0.020, p = 0.009, respectively) and T2 lesion volume (T2LV) (p = 0.015, p = 0.009, respectively). CCI was associated with T1LV in the MS cohort only (p = 0.015). Moreover, BCR was significantly higher in the SDCNS group (p = 0.01) and CCI was significantly lower in MS patients (p = 0.01). The best predictive model to distinguish MS and SDCNS encompassed gender, BCR and T2LV as the explanatory variables (sensitivity 0.91; specificity 0.68; AUC 0.86). Implementation of 2DLMs in the brain MRI analysis of MS and SDCNS patients allowed for the identification of diverse patterns of local brain atrophy in these clinical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Siger
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego Street 22, 90-414 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (P.W.); (M.Ś.-M.)
| | - Jacek Wydra
- Pixel Technology LLC, Piekna 1, 93-558 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (M.P.); (T.P.); (K.M.)
| | - Paula Wildner
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego Street 22, 90-414 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (P.W.); (M.Ś.-M.)
| | - Marek Podyma
- Pixel Technology LLC, Piekna 1, 93-558 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (M.P.); (T.P.); (K.M.)
| | - Tomasz Puzio
- Pixel Technology LLC, Piekna 1, 93-558 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (M.P.); (T.P.); (K.M.)
| | - Katarzyna Matera
- Pixel Technology LLC, Piekna 1, 93-558 Lodz, Poland; (J.W.); (M.P.); (T.P.); (K.M.)
| | - Mariusz Stasiołek
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego Street 22, 90-414 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (P.W.); (M.Ś.-M.)
| | - Mariola Świderek-Matysiak
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego Street 22, 90-414 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (P.W.); (M.Ś.-M.)
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Akaishi T, Fujimori J, Nakashima I. Basal Ganglia Atrophy and Impaired Cognitive Processing Speed in Multiple Sclerosis. Cureus 2024; 16:e52603. [PMID: 38374834 PMCID: PMC10875397 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52603] [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: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Impaired cognitive processing speed is among the important higher brain dysfunctions in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the exact structural mechanisms of the dysfunction remain uncertain. This study aimed to identify the brain regions associated with the impaired cognitive processing speed in MS by comparing the cognitive processing speed, measured using the Cognitive Processing Speed Test (CogEval) z-score, and brain regional volumetric data. Altogether, 80 patients with MS (64 with relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS] and 16 with secondary progressive MS [SPMS]) were enrolled. Consequently, CogEval z-scores were worse in patients with SPMS than in those with RRMS (p=0.001). In the univariate correlation analyses, significant correlations with CogEval z-score were suggested in the MS lesion volume (p<0.001; Spearman's rank correlation test) and atrophies in the cerebral cortex (p=0.031), cerebral white matter (p=0.013), corpus callosum (p=0.001), thalamus (p=0.001), and putamen (p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that putamen atrophy was significantly associated with CogEval z-score (p=0.038) independent of volume in other brain regions, while thalamic atrophy was not (p=0.79). Univariate correlation analyses were further performed in each of RRMS and SPMS. None of the evaluated volumetric data indicated a significant correlation with the CogEval z-score in RRMS. Meanwhile, atrophies in the cerebral white matter (p=0.008), corpus callosum (p=0.002), putamen (p=0.011), and pallidum (p=0.017) demonstrated significant correlations with CogEval z-score in SPMS. In summary, the putamen could be an important region of atrophy contributing to the impaired cognitive speed in MS, especially in the later disease stages after a transition to SPMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Akaishi
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, JPN
| | - Juichi Fujimori
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, JPN
| | - Ichiro Nakashima
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, JPN
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Oset M, Domowicz M, Wildner P, Siger M, Karlińska I, Stasiołek M, Świderek-Matysiak M. Predictive value of brain atrophy, serum biomarkers and information processing speed for early disease progression in multiple sclerosis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1223220. [PMID: 37560452 PMCID: PMC10407123 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1223220] [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] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). A clinical presentation of the disease is highly differentiated even from the earliest stages of the disease. The application of stratifying tests in clinical practice would allow for improving clinical decision-making including a proper assessment of treatment benefit/risk balance. METHODS This prospective study included patients with MS diagnosed up to 1 year before recruitment. We analyzed serum biomarkers such as CXCL13, CHI3L1, OPN, IL-6, and GFAP and neurofilament light chains (NfLs); brain MRI parameters of linear atrophy such as bicaudate ratio (BCR), third ventricle width (TVW); and information processing speed were measured using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) during the 2 years follow-up. RESULTS The study included a total of 50 patients recruited shortly after the diagnosis of MS diagnosis (median 0 months; range 0-11 months), and the mean time of observation was 28 months (SD = 4.75). We observed a statistically significant increase in the EDSS score (Wilcoxon test: Z = 3.06, p = 0.002), BCR (Wilcoxon test: Z = 4.66, p < 0.001), and TVW (Wilcoxon test: Z = 2.84, p = 0.005) after 2 years of disease. Patients who had a significantly higher baseline level of NfL suffered from a more severe disease course as per the EDSS score (Mann-Whitney U-test: U = 107, Z = -2,74, p = 0.006) and presence of relapse (Mann-Whitney U-test: U = 188, Z = -2.01, p = 0.044). In the logistic regression model, none of the parameters was a significant predictor for the achieving of no evidence of disease activity status (NEDA). In the model considering all assessed parameters, only the level of NfL had a significant impact on disease progression, measured as the increase in EDSS (logistic regression: β = 0.002, p = 0.017). CONCLUSION We confirmed that NfL levels in serum are associated with more active disease. Moreover, we found that TVW at the time of diagnosis was associated with an impairment in cognitive function measured by information processing speed at the end of the 2-year observation. The inclusion of serum NfL and TVW assessment early in the disease may be a good predictor of disease progression independent of NEDA.
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Onoue H, Kato Y, Ishido H, Ogawa T, Akaiwa Y, Miyamoto T. [A case of primary progressive multiple sclerosis with improvement in cognitive impairment by anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2023; 63:152-158. [PMID: 36843088 DOI: 10.5692/clinicalneurol.cn-001779] [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: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
The patient was a 44-year-old man who developed cognitive impairment beginning at the age of 35 years that gradually worsened. The cognitive impairment led to a difficult social life, and he retired from his company. After hospitalization and workup, he was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) that presented only with cognitive impairment for 10 years. Since he had multiple predictive factors for poor prognosis, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy was implemented. Cognitive impairment and cerebral blood flow SPECT findings improved, and he returned to a social life 3 months later. Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy was effective in improving cognitive impairment in a case of an advanced stage of PPMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Onoue
- Department of Neurology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center
| | - Yuta Kato
- Department of Neurology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center.,Department of Neurology, Showa University
| | - Hideaki Ishido
- Department of Neurology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center
| | - Tomohiro Ogawa
- Department of Neurology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center
| | - Yasuhisa Akaiwa
- Department of Neurology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center
| | - Tomoyuki Miyamoto
- Department of Neurology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center
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Guenter W, Betscher E, Bonek R. Predictive Value of the Third Ventricle Width for Neurological Status in Multiple Sclerosis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11102841. [PMID: 35628967 PMCID: PMC9145351 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11102841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The third ventricle width (3VW) is an easily calculated measure of brain atrophy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of 3VW to cognitive impairment with adjustment for demographic and clinical confounders, including depression, anxiety, and fatigue, as well as to disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Symbol Digit Modalities Test, California Verbal Learning Test, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) were analysed in 93 patients with MS. Neuropsychological performance was compared to that of 150 healthy controls. Axial images from 3D FLAIR were used to measure 3VW. In total, 25% of MS patients were impaired in at least two neuropsychological tests. Cognitive impairment and EDSS were associated with 3VW. Age and 3VW were the strongest predictors of cognitive impairment. The multiple regression model including age, 3VW, education, EDSS, and MFIS explained 63% of the variance of neuropsychological tests results, whereas 3VW, age and duration of the disease were significant predictors of EDSS. This study confirms the predictive value of 3VW for neurological status of patients with MS, especially for cognitive impairment after adjustment for demographic and clinical confounders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Guenter
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Toruń, Poland, and Collegium Medicum, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Division of Neurology and Clinical Neuroimmunology, Regional Specialized Hospital in Grudziądz, 86-300 Grudziądz, Poland; (E.B.); (R.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +00-48-(0)52-585-37-03
| | - Ewa Betscher
- Division of Neurology and Clinical Neuroimmunology, Regional Specialized Hospital in Grudziądz, 86-300 Grudziądz, Poland; (E.B.); (R.B.)
| | - Robert Bonek
- Division of Neurology and Clinical Neuroimmunology, Regional Specialized Hospital in Grudziądz, 86-300 Grudziądz, Poland; (E.B.); (R.B.)
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