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Keegan BM, Messina SA, Hanson D, Holmes D, Camp J, Sechi E, Nayak S, Barakat B, Ahmad R, Mandrekar J, Harmsen WS, Kantarci O, Weinshenker BG, Flanagan EP. MR Imaging Features of Critical Spinal Demyelinating Lesions Associated with Progressive Motor Impairment. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2024; 45:943-950. [PMID: 38754997 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a8304] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Progressive MS is typically heralded by a myelopathic pattern of asymmetric progressive motor weakness. Focal individual "critical" demyelinating spinal cord lesions anatomically associated with progressive motor impairment may be a compelling explanation for this clinical presentation as described in progressive solitary sclerosis (single CNS demyelinating lesion), progressive demyelination with highly restricted MR imaging lesion burden (2-5 total CNS demyelinating lesions; progressive paucisclerotic MS), and progressive, exclusively unilateral hemi- or monoparetic MS (>5 CNS demyelinating progressive unilateral hemi- or monoparetic MS [PUHMS] lesions). Critical demyelinating lesions appear strikingly similar across these cohorts, and we describe their specific spinal cord MR imaging characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective, observational MR imaging study comparing spinal cord critical demyelinating lesions anatomically associated with progressive motor impairment with any additional "noncritical" (not anatomically associated with progressive motor impairment) spinal cord demyelinating lesions. All spinal cord MR images (302 cervical and 91 thoracic) were reviewed by an experienced neuroradiologist with final radiologic assessment on the most recent MR imaging. Anatomic association with clinical progressive motor impairment was confirmed independently by MS subspecialists. RESULTS Ninety-one individuals (PUHMS, 37 [41%], progressive paucisclerosis 35 [38%], progressive solitary sclerosis 19 [21%]) with 91 critical and 98 noncritical spinal cord MR imaging demyelinating lesions were evaluated. MR imaging characteristics that favored critical spinal cord demyelinating lesions over noncritical lesions included moderate-to-severe, focal, lesion-associated spinal cord atrophy: 41/91 (45%) versus 0/98 (0%) (OR, 161.91; 9.43 to >999.9); lateral column axial location (OR, 10.43; 3.88-28.07); central region (OR, 3.23; 1.78-5.88); ventral column (OR, 2.98; 1.55-5.72); and larger lesion size of the axial width (OR, 2.01;1.49-2.72), transverse axial size (OR, 1.66; 1.36-2.01), or lesion area (OR, 1.14; 1.08-1.2). Multiple regression analysis revealed focal atrophy and lateral axial location as having the strongest association with critical demyelinating lesions. CONCLUSIONS Focal, lesion-associated atrophy, lateral column axial location, and larger lesion size are spinal cord MR imaging characteristics of critical demyelinating lesions. The presence of critical demyelinating lesions should be sought as these features may be associated with the development of progressive motor impairment in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Mark Keegan
- From the Department of Neurology (B.M.K., E.S., S.N., B.B., R.A., J.M., O.K., B.G.W., E.P.F.), Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Steven A Messina
- Department of Radiology (S.A.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Dennis Hanson
- Biomedical Imaging Resource (D. Hanson, D. Holmes, J.C.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - David Holmes
- Biomedical Imaging Resource (D. Hanson, D. Holmes, J.C.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jon Camp
- Biomedical Imaging Resource (D. Hanson, D. Holmes, J.C.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Elia Sechi
- From the Department of Neurology (B.M.K., E.S., S.N., B.B., R.A., J.M., O.K., B.G.W., E.P.F.), Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Università degli Studi di Sassari (E.S.), Sassari, Italy
| | - Shreya Nayak
- From the Department of Neurology (B.M.K., E.S., S.N., B.B., R.A., J.M., O.K., B.G.W., E.P.F.), Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- St. Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital (S.N.), Lawrenceburg, Indiana
| | - Benan Barakat
- From the Department of Neurology (B.M.K., E.S., S.N., B.B., R.A., J.M., O.K., B.G.W., E.P.F.), Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center (B.B.), Toledo, Ohio
| | - Rowaid Ahmad
- From the Department of Neurology (B.M.K., E.S., S.N., B.B., R.A., J.M., O.K., B.G.W., E.P.F.), Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- University of Texas Medical Branch (R.A.), Galveston, Texas
| | - Jay Mandrekar
- From the Department of Neurology (B.M.K., E.S., S.N., B.B., R.A., J.M., O.K., B.G.W., E.P.F.), Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Quantitative Health Services (J.M., W.S.H,), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - W Scott Harmsen
- Quantitative Health Services (J.M., W.S.H,), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Orhun Kantarci
- From the Department of Neurology (B.M.K., E.S., S.N., B.B., R.A., J.M., O.K., B.G.W., E.P.F.), Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Brian G Weinshenker
- From the Department of Neurology (B.M.K., E.S., S.N., B.B., R.A., J.M., O.K., B.G.W., E.P.F.), Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Department of Neurology (B.G.W.), University of Virginia Health, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Eoin P Flanagan
- From the Department of Neurology (B.M.K., E.S., S.N., B.B., R.A., J.M., O.K., B.G.W., E.P.F.), Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Morozumi T, Preziosa P, Meani A, Pessina G, Pagani E, Azzimonti M, Filippi M, Rocca MA. Brain and cervical spinal cord MRI correlates of sensorimotor impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2024:13524585241260145. [PMID: 38912804 DOI: 10.1177/13524585241260145] [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: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical spinal cord (cSC) lesions and atrophy contribute to disability in multiple sclerosis (MS), but associations with specific sensorimotor dysfunction require further exploration. OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations of brain and cSC magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures with sensorimotor impairment in MS. METHODS One hundred fifty-one MS patients and 69 healthy controls underwent 3T MRI and clinical assessments including Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), 9-hole peg test (9-HPT), finger tapping test (FTT), timed 25-foot walk test (T25FWT), and vibration detection threshold (VDT). Random forest ranked brain (T2-hyperintense lesion volume (T2-LV) and normalized deep gray matter (GM), cortical and white matter (WM) volumes) and cSC (T2-LV and total, GM, and WM cross-sectional areas (CSAs) at C2/C3 level) MRI measures relevance in explaining EDSS milestones (EDSS ⩾3.0, ⩾4.0, and ⩾6.0), VDT, pyramidal and sensory functional systems (P-FS and S-FS ⩾2), and motor tests impairment. RESULTS Various combinations of brain and cSC MRI measures explained EDSS milestones (area under the curve (AUC) =0.879-0.900), VDT (R2 = 0.194), and impaired P-FS (AUC = 0.820), S-FS (AUC = 0.795), 9-HPT (AUC = 0.793), FTT (AUC = 0.740), and T25FWT (AUC = 0.825). cSC GM CSA was the most informative feature for all outcomes, except 9-HPT. CONCLUSION cSC MRI measures, especially GM CSA, explain EDSS and sensorimotor dysfunction better than brain measures in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsu Morozumi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Preziosa
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy/Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Meani
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Pessina
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Pagani
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Azzimonti
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy/Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria A Rocca
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy/Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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3
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Lim TRU, Kumaran SP, Suthiphosuwan S, Espiritu AI, Jones A, Lin AW, Oh J, Bharatha A. Limited utility of adding 3T cervical spinal cord MRI to monitor disease activity in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2024; 30:505-515. [PMID: 38419027 DOI: 10.1177/13524585241228426] [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] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Performing routine brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely accepted as the standard of care for disease monitoring in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the utility of performing routine spinal cord (SC) MRI for this purpose is still debatable. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to measure the frequency of new isolated cervical spinal cord lesions (CSLs) in people with MS (pwMS) undergoing routine brain and cervical SC-MRI for disease monitoring and determine the factors associated with the development of new CSLs and their prognostic value. METHODS We retrospectively identified 1576 pwMS who underwent follow-up 3T brain and cervical SC-MRI over a 9-month period. MRI was reviewed for the presence of new brain lesions (BLs) and CSLs. Clinical records were reviewed for interval relapses between sequential scans and subsequent clinical relapse and disability worsening after the follow-up MRI. RESULTS In 1285 pwMS (median interval: 13-14 months) who were clinically stable with respect to relapses, 73 (5.7%) had new CSLs, of which 49 (3.8%) had concomitant new BLs and 24 (1.9%) had new isolated CSLs only. New asymptomatic CSLs were associated with ⩾ 3 prior relapses (p = 0.04), no disease-modifying therapy (DMT) use (p = 0.048), and ⩾ 3 new BLs (p < 0.001); ⩾ 3 new BLs (OR: 7.11, 95% CI: 4.3-11.7, p < 0.001) remained independently associated with new CSLs on multivariable analysis. Having new asymptomatic CSLs was not independently associated with subsequent relapse or disability worsening after the follow-up MRI (median follow-up time of 26 months). CONCLUSION Routine brain and cervical SC-MRI detected new isolated CSLs in only < 2% of clinically stable pwMS. Developing new asymptomatic CSLs was associated with concomitant new BLs and did not confer an independent increased risk of relapse or disability worsening. Performing SC-MRI may not be warranted for routine monitoring in most pwMS, and performing only brain MRI may be sufficient to capture the vast majority of clinically silent disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Reynold U Lim
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sunitha P Kumaran
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Suradech Suthiphosuwan
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adrian I Espiritu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada/Department of Neurosciences and Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Ashley Jones
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amy Wei Lin
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada/ Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aditya Bharatha
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Kreiter D, Postma AA, Hupperts R, Gerlach O. Hallmarks of spinal cord pathology in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2024; 456:122846. [PMID: 38142540 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.122846] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
A disparity exists between spinal cord and brain involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS), each independently contributing to disability. Underlying differences between brain and cord are not just anatomical in nature (volume, white/grey matter organization, vascularization), but also in barrier functions (differences in function and composition of the blood-spinal cord barrier compared to blood-brain barrier) and possibly in repair mechanisms. Also, immunological phenotypes seem to influence localization of inflammatory activity. Whereas the brain has gained a lot of attention in MS research, the spinal cord lags behind. Advanced imaging techniques and biomarkers are improving and providing us with tools to uncover the mechanisms of spinal cord pathology in MS. In the present review, we elaborate on the underlying anatomical and physiological factors driving differences between brain and cord involvement in MS and review current literature on pathophysiology of spinal cord involvement in MS and the observed differences to brain involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kreiter
- Academic MS Center Zuyd, Department of Neurology, Zuyderland MC, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Alida A Postma
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Raymond Hupperts
- Academic MS Center Zuyd, Department of Neurology, Zuyderland MC, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Oliver Gerlach
- Academic MS Center Zuyd, Department of Neurology, Zuyderland MC, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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5
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Jakimovski D, Bittner S, Zivadinov R, Morrow SA, Benedict RH, Zipp F, Weinstock-Guttman B. Multiple sclerosis. Lancet 2024; 403:183-202. [PMID: 37949093 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01473-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis remains one of the most common causes of neurological disability in the young adult population (aged 18-40 years). Novel pathophysiological findings underline the importance of the interaction between genetics and environment. Improvements in diagnostic criteria, harmonised guidelines for MRI, and globalised treatment recommendations have led to more accurate diagnosis and an earlier start of effective immunomodulatory treatment than previously. Understanding and capturing the long prodromal multiple sclerosis period would further improve diagnostic abilities and thus treatment initiation, eventually improving long-term disease outcomes. The large portfolio of currently available medications paved the way for personalised therapeutic strategies that will balance safety and effectiveness. Incorporation of cognitive interventions, lifestyle recommendations, and management of non-neurological comorbidities could further improve quality of life and outcomes. Future challenges include the development of medications that successfully target the neurodegenerative aspect of the disease and creation of sensitive imaging and fluid biomarkers that can effectively predict and monitor disease changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Jakimovski
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Stefan Bittner
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience and Immunotherapy, Rhine Main Neuroscience Network, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Robert Zivadinov
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Center for Biomedical Imaging at the Clinical Translational Science Institute, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sarah A Morrow
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ralph Hb Benedict
- Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Frauke Zipp
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience and Immunotherapy, Rhine Main Neuroscience Network, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
- Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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6
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Lorefice L, Mellino P, Fenu G, Cocco E. How to measure the treatment response in progressive multiple sclerosis: Current perspectives and limitations in clinical settings'. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 76:104826. [PMID: 37327601 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104826] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
New treatment options are available for active progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), including primary and secondary progressive forms. Several pieces of evidence have recently suggested a "window of beneficial treatment opportunities," principally in the early stages of progression. However, for progressive MS, which is characterised by an inevitable tendency to get worse, it is crucial to redefine the "response to treatment" beyond the concept of "no evidence of disease activity" (NEDA-3), which was initially conceived to evaluate disease outcomes in relapsing-remitting form, albeit it is currently applied to all MS cases in clinical practice. This review examines the current perspectives and limitations in assessing the effectiveness of DMTs and disease outcomes in progressive MS, the current criteria applied in defining the response to DMTs, and the strengths and limitations of clinical scales and tools for evaluating MS evolution and patient perception. Additionally, the impact of age and comorbidities on the assessment of MS outcomes was examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lorefice
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Binaghi Hospital, ASL Cagliari, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Address: via Is Guadazzonis 2, Cagliari 09126, Italy.
| | - P Mellino
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Binaghi Hospital, ASL Cagliari, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Address: via Is Guadazzonis 2, Cagliari 09126, Italy
| | - G Fenu
- Department of Neurosciences, ARNAS Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - E Cocco
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Binaghi Hospital, ASL Cagliari, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Address: via Is Guadazzonis 2, Cagliari 09126, Italy
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Dallera G, Affinito G, Caliendo D, Petracca M, Carotenuto A, Triassi M, Brescia Morra V, Palladino R, Moccia M. The independent contribution of brain, spinal cord and gadolinium MRI in treatment decision in multiple sclerosis: A population-based retrospective study. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 69:104423. [PMID: 36436395 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104423] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord and gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide additional information to brain MRI to determine prognosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the real-world impact of routine use of brain MRI with spinal cord and/or Gd sequences is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of brain, spinal cord and Gd MRI on treatment decisions in MS. METHODS In this 2015-2020 population-based study, we performed a retrospective analysis on MS patients resident in the Campania Region (South Italy), with disease modifying treatment (DMT) prescription (n = 6,161). DMTs were classified as platform (dimethyl fumarate, glatiramer acetate, interferon-beta, peg-interferon-beta, teriflunomide), or high-efficacy (alemtuzumab, cladribine, fingolimod, natalizumab, ocrelizumab). We evaluated the association between binary MRI variables and switch from platform to high-efficacy DMT using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS The likelihood of switch from platform to high-efficacy DMT was 47% higher when including post-Gd acquisitions to brain and/or spinal cord MRI, 59% higher when including spinal cord acquisitions to brain MRI, and 132% higher when including any MRI compared with no MRI (all p < 0.05). The likelihood of switch to high-efficacy DMT decreased over time from treatment start. CONCLUSION Our results show that spinal cord and Gd MRI acquisitions can provide relevant information to influence subsequent treatment decisions, especially in early treatment phases, compared with stand-alone brain MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Dallera
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Affinito
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniele Caliendo
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care and Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Maria Petracca
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care and Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Antonio Carotenuto
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care and Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Maria Triassi
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Brescia Morra
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care and Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Raffaele Palladino
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Marcello Moccia
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care and Research Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples 80131, Italy.
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8
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Filippi M, Amato MP, Centonze D, Gallo P, Gasperini C, Inglese M, Patti F, Pozzilli C, Preziosa P, Trojano M. Early use of high-efficacy disease‑modifying therapies makes the difference in people with multiple sclerosis: an expert opinion. J Neurol 2022; 269:5382-5394. [PMID: 35608658 PMCID: PMC9489547 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11193-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive neurological disease that is characterized by neuroinflammation, demyelination and neurodegeneration occurring from the earliest phases of the disease and that may be underestimated. MS patients accumulate disability through relapse-associated worsening or progression independent of relapse activity. Early intervention with high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (HE-DMTs) may represent the best window of opportunity to delay irreversible central nervous system damage and MS-related disability progression by hindering underlying heterogeneous pathophysiological processes contributing to disability progression. In line with this, growing evidence suggests that early use of HE-DMTs is associated with a significant greater reduction not only of inflammatory activity (clinical relapses and new lesion formation at magnetic resonance imaging) but also of disease progression, in terms of accumulation of irreversible clinical disability and neurodegeneration compared to delayed HE-DMT use or escalation strategy. These beneficial effects seem to be associated with acceptable long-term safety risks, thus configuring this treatment approach as that with the most positive benefit/risk profile. Accordingly, it should be mandatory to treat people with MS early with HE-DMTs in case of prognostic factors suggestive of aggressive disease, and it may be advisable to offer an HE-DMT to MS patients early after diagnosis, taking into account drug safety profile, disease severity, clinical and/or radiological activity, and patient-related factors, including possible comorbidities, family planning, and patients’ preference in agreement with the EAN/ECTRIMS and AAN guidelines. Barriers for an early use of HE-DMTs include concerns for long-term safety, challenges in the management of treatment initiation and monitoring, negative MS patients’ preferences, restricted access to HE-DMTs according to guidelines and regulatory rules, and sustainability. However, these barriers do not apply to each HE-DMT and none of these appear insuperable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy. .,Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy. .,Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy. .,Neurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy. .,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Maria Pia Amato
- Department NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Diego Centonze
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.,Unit of Neurology, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Paolo Gallo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Claudio Gasperini
- Department of Neurosciences, S Camillo Forlanini Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matilde Inglese
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Patti
- Department GF Ingrassia, Medical, Surgical Science and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Policlinico "G Rodolico", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Preziosa
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.,Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Trojano
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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9
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Bussas M, El Husseini M, Harabacz L, Pineker V, Grahl S, Pongratz V, Berthele A, Riederer I, Zimmer C, Hemmer B, Kirschke JS, Mühlau M. Multiple sclerosis lesions and atrophy in the spinal cord: Distribution across vertebral levels and correlation with disability. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 34:103006. [PMID: 35468568 PMCID: PMC9059154 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In multiple sclerosis, spinal cord lesions and atrophy are measurable by whole spinal cord MRI with axial and sagittal coverage in a large patient cohort and in healthy control subjects. Spinal cord lesions and atrophy are accentuated in the cervical enlargement. They have already developed at the stage of RRMS and continue developing in a clinically meaningful way at later stages. Yet they remain largely independent.
Background The vast majority of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on multiple sclerosis (MS) covered the spinal cord (SC), if at all, incompletely. Objective To assess SC involvement in MS, as detectable by whole SC MRI, with regard to distribution across vertebral levels and relation to clinical phenotypes and disability. Methods We investigated SC MRI with sagittal and axial coverage. Analyzed were brain and SC MRI scans of 17 healthy controls (HC) and of 370 patients with either clinically isolated syndrome (CIS, 27), relapsing remitting MS (RRMS, 303) or progressive MS (PMS, 40). Across vertebral levels, cross-sectional areas were semiautomatically segmented, and lesions manually delineated. Results The frequency of SC lesions was highest at the level C3-4. The volume of SC lesions increased from CIS to RRMS, and from RRMS to PMS whereas lesion distribution across SC levels did not differ. SC atrophy was demonstrated in RRMS and, to a higher degree, in PMS; apart from an accentuation at the level C3-4, it was evenly distributed across SC levels. SC lesions and atrophy volume were not correlated with each other and were independently associated with disability. Conclusion SC lesions and atrophy already exist at the stage of RRMS in the whole SC with an accentuation in the cervical enlargement; SC lesions and atrophy are more pronounced in the stage of PMS. Both contribute to the clinical picture but are largely independent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Bussas
- Dept. of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; TUM-Neuroimaging Center, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Malek El Husseini
- Dept. of Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Harabacz
- Dept. of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Viktor Pineker
- Dept. of Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Grahl
- Dept. of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; TUM-Neuroimaging Center, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Viola Pongratz
- Dept. of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; TUM-Neuroimaging Center, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Achim Berthele
- Dept. of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Isabelle Riederer
- Dept. of Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Claus Zimmer
- Dept. of Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hemmer
- Dept. of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Jan S Kirschke
- Dept. of Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mark Mühlau
- Dept. of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; TUM-Neuroimaging Center, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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10
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Upper cervical cord atrophy is independent of cervical cord lesion volume in early multiple sclerosis: A two-year longitudinal study. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 60:103713. [PMID: 35272146 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Upper cervical cord atrophy and lesions have been shown to be associated with disease and disability progression already in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, their longitudinal relationship remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal relation between focal T2 cervical cord lesion volume (CCLV) and regional and global mean upper cervical cord area (UCCA), and their relations with disability. METHODS Over a two-year interval, subjects with RRMS (n = 36) and healthy controls (HC, n = 16) underwent annual clinical and MRI examinations. UCCA and CCLV were obtained from C1 through C4 level. Linear mixed model analysis was performed to investigate the relation between UCCA, CCLV, and disability over time. RESULTS UCCA at baseline was significantly lower in RRMS subjects compared to HCs (p = 0.003), but did not decrease faster over time (p ≥ 0.144). UCCA and CCLV were independent of each other at any of the time points or cervical levels, and over time. Lower baseline UCCA, but not CCLV, was related to worsening of both upper and lower extremities function over time. CONCLUSION UCCA and CCLV are independent from each other, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, in early MS. Lower UCCA, but not CCLV, was related to increasing disability over time.
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11
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Krieger S. On Cave Paintings and Shallow Waters-The Case for Advancing Spinal Cord Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis. JAMA Neurol 2021; 79:9-10. [PMID: 34807242 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.4245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Krieger
- Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for MS, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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12
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Müller-Jensen L, Ploner CJ, Kroneberg D, Schmidt WU. Clinical Presentation and Causes of Non-traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: An Observational Study in Emergency Patients. Front Neurol 2021; 12:701927. [PMID: 34434162 PMCID: PMC8380771 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.701927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Diagnosing non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) is often challenging. However, clear discrimination from non-spinal pathologies, e.g., "myelopathy-mimics" (MMs), is critical in preventing long-term disability and death. In this retrospective study we (1) investigated causes of NTSCI, (2) identified clinical markers associated with NTSCI and (3) discuss implications for NTSCI management. Methods: Our sample consisted of 5.913 consecutive neurological and neurosurgical patients who were treated in our emergency department during a one-year period. Patients with a new or worsened bilateral sensorimotor deficit were defined as possible NTSCI. We then compared clinical and imaging findings and allocated patients into NTSCIs and MMs. Results: Of ninety-three included cases, thirty-six (38.7%) were diagnosed with NTSCI. Fifty-two patients (55.9%) were classified as MMs. In five patients (5.4%) the underlying pathology remained unclear. Predominant causes of NTSCI were spinal metastases (33.3%), inflammatory disorders (22.2%) and degenerative pathologies (19.4%). 58.6% of NTSCI patients required emergency treatment. Presence of a sensory level (p = <0.001) and sphincter dysfunction (p = 0.02) were the only significant discriminators between NTSCI and MMs. Conclusion: In our study, one-third of patients presenting with a new bilateral sensorimotor deficit had NTSCI. Of these, the majority required emergency treatment. Since there is a significant clinical overlap with non-spinal disorders, a standardized diagnostic work-up including routine spinal MRI is recommended for NTSCI management, rather than an approach that is mainly based on clinical findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Müller-Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Johannes Ploner
- Department of Neurology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Kroneberg
- Department of Neurology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolf Ulrich Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Center for Stroke Research, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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13
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Ostini C, Bovis F, Disanto G, Ripellino P, Pravatà E, Sacco R, Padlina G, Sormani MP, Gobbi C, Zecca C. Recurrence and Prognostic Value of Asymptomatic Spinal Cord Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10030463. [PMID: 33530366 PMCID: PMC7865947 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10030463] [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: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently not recommended for the routine monitoring of clinically stable multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of asymptomatic spinal lesions (a-SL) in clinically stable MS patients, and their association with clinical and radiological outcomes, including the recurrence of spinal lesions. The hospital MS registry was searched for clinically stable MS patients (no relapses, no disability progression) with spinal MRIs performed at T1 (baseline) and T2 (9-36 months after T1). Information on relapses, disability and new brain/spinal MRI lesions at T3 (≥6 months after T2) was collected and analyzed. Out of 300 MS patients, 45 showed a-SL between T1 and T2. The presence of a-SL was not associated with the subsequent occurrence of relapses or disability progression at T3, but did correlate with the risk of new brain (rate ratio (RR) = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.16-2.25, p = 0.003) and recurrent spinal lesions (RR = 7.28, 95% CI = 4.02-13.22, p < 0.0001). Accounting for asymptomatic brain lesions (a-BL), the presence of either a-BL or a-SL was associated with subsequent risk for new brain (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.25-2.60, p = 0.001) or spinal (RR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.27-5.45, p = 0.009) lesions. Asymptomatic spinal demyelinating lesions occurred in 15% of clinically stable MS patients within a median period of 14 months and conferred an increased risk of future radiological activity at the brain and spinal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Ostini
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Civico, Via Tesserete 46, 6903 Lugano, Switzerland; (C.O.); (G.D.); (P.R.); (R.S.); (G.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Francesca Bovis
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.B.); (M.P.S.)
| | - Giulio Disanto
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Civico, Via Tesserete 46, 6903 Lugano, Switzerland; (C.O.); (G.D.); (P.R.); (R.S.); (G.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Paolo Ripellino
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Civico, Via Tesserete 46, 6903 Lugano, Switzerland; (C.O.); (G.D.); (P.R.); (R.S.); (G.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Emanuele Pravatà
- Department of Neuroradiology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland;
| | - Rosaria Sacco
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Civico, Via Tesserete 46, 6903 Lugano, Switzerland; (C.O.); (G.D.); (P.R.); (R.S.); (G.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Giovanna Padlina
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Civico, Via Tesserete 46, 6903 Lugano, Switzerland; (C.O.); (G.D.); (P.R.); (R.S.); (G.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Maria Pia Sormani
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.B.); (M.P.S.)
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Claudio Gobbi
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Civico, Via Tesserete 46, 6903 Lugano, Switzerland; (C.O.); (G.D.); (P.R.); (R.S.); (G.P.); (C.G.)
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Zecca
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Civico, Via Tesserete 46, 6903 Lugano, Switzerland; (C.O.); (G.D.); (P.R.); (R.S.); (G.P.); (C.G.)
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-091-811-6921; Fax: +41-091-811-6525
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14
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Chitturi J, Sanganahalli BG, Herman P, Hyder F, Ni L, Elkabes S, Heary R, Kannurpatti SS. Association Between Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Spinal Morphometry and Sensorimotor Behavior in a Hemicontusion Model of Incomplete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury in Rats. Brain Connect 2020; 10:479-489. [PMID: 32981350 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2020.0812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Structural connectivity in the reorganizing spinal cord after injury dictates functional connectivity and hence the neurological outcome. As magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based structural parameters are mostly accessible across spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, we studied MRI-based spinal morphological changes and their relationship to neurological outcome in the rat model of cervical SCI. Introduction: Functional connectivity assessments on patients with SCI rely heavily on MRI-based approaches to investigate the complete neural axis (both spinal cord and brain). Hence, underlying MRI-based structural and morphometric changes in the reorganizing spinal cord and their relationship to neurological outcomes is crucial for meaningful interpretation of functional connectivity changes across the neural axis. Methods: Young adult rats, aged 1.5 months, underwent a precise mechanical impact hemicontusion incomplete cervical SCI at the C4/C5 level, after which sensorimotor behavioral assessments were tracked during the reorganization period of 1-6 weeks, followed by MRI of the cervical spinal cord at 8 weeks after SCI. Results: A significant ipsilesional forelimb motor debilitation was observed from 1 to 6 weeks after injury. Heat sensitivity testing (Hargreaves) showed ipsilesional forelimb hypersensitivity at 5 and 6 weeks after SCI. MRI of the cervical spine showed ipsilateral T1- and T2-weighted lesions across all SCI rats compared with no significant lesions in sham rats. Morphometric assessments of the lesional and nonlesional changes showed the diverse nature of their interindividual variability in the SCI receiving rats. While the various T1 and T2 MRI lesional volumes associated weakly or moderately with neurological outcome, the nonlesional spinal morphometric changes associated much more strongly. The results have important implications for interpreting functional MRI-based functional connectivity after SCI by providing vital underlying structural changes and their relative neurological impact. Impact statement Functional connectivity assessments on patients with SCI relies heavily upon MRI based approaches. Hence, underlying MRI based structural and morphometric changes in the reorganizing spinal cord and its relationship to neurological outcomes is vital for meaningful interpretation of functional connectivity changes across the complete neural axis (both spinal cord and the brain).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyothsna Chitturi
- Department of Radiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Basavaraju G Sanganahalli
- Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC), Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Quantitative Neuroscience with Magnetic Resonance (QNMR) Core Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Peter Herman
- Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC), Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Quantitative Neuroscience with Magnetic Resonance (QNMR) Core Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Fahmeed Hyder
- Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC), Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Quantitative Neuroscience with Magnetic Resonance (QNMR) Core Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Li Ni
- Department of Neurosurgery, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Stella Elkabes
- Department of Neurosurgery, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Robert Heary
- Hackensack University School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sridhar S Kannurpatti
- Department of Radiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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