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Fazio L, Naik VN, Therpurakal RN, Gomez Osorio FM, Rychlik N, Ladewig J, Strüber M, Cerina M, Meuth SG, Budde T. Retigabine, a potassium channel opener, restores thalamocortical neuron functionality in a murine model of autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 122:202-215. [PMID: 39142423 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease, whose primary hallmark is the occurrence of inflammatory lesions in white and grey matter structures. Increasing evidence in MS patients and respective murine models reported an impaired ionic homeostasis driven by inflammatory-demyelination, thereby profoundly affecting signal propagation. However, the impact of a focal inflammatory lesion on single-cell and network functionality has hitherto not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVES In this study, we sought to determine the consequences of a localized cortical inflammatory lesion on the excitability and firing pattern of thalamic neurons in the auditory system. Moreover, we tested the neuroprotective effect of Retigabine (RTG), a specific Kv7 channel opener, on disease outcome. METHODS To resemble the human disease, we focally administered pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IFN-γ, in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of MOG35-55 immunized mice. Thereafter, we investigated the impact of the induced inflammatory milieu on afferent thalamocortical (TC) neurons, by performing ex vivo recordings. Moreover, we explored the effect of Kv7 channel modulation with RTG on auditory information processing, using in vivo electrophysiological approaches. RESULTS Our results revealed that a cortical inflammatory lesion profoundly affected the excitability and firing pattern of neighboring TC neurons. Noteworthy, RTG restored control-like values and TC tonotopic mapping. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that RTG treatment might robustly mitigate inflammation-induced altered excitability and preserve ascending information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Fazio
- Department of Neurology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Venu Narayanan Naik
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | | | | | - Nicole Rychlik
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Julia Ladewig
- Department of Translational Brain Research, Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI), University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany; HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, Mannheim, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Michael Strüber
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Manuela Cerina
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sven G Meuth
- Department of Neurology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Thomas Budde
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
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Chylińska M, Komendziński J, Wyszomirski A, Karaszewski B. Brain Atrophy as an Outcome of Disease-Modifying Therapy for Remitting-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. Mult Scler Int 2023; 2023:4130557. [PMID: 37693228 PMCID: PMC10484652 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4130557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Currently, clinical trials of DMTs strive to determine their effect on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. We aimed to determine the impact of currently used DMTs on brain atrophy and disability in RRMS. The main goal of this review is to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of MS therapy and assess its impact on disability. Methods We performed a systematic analysis of clinical trials that used brain atrophy as an outcome or performed post hoc analysis of volumetric MRI parameters to assess the neuroprotective potential of applied therapies. Trials between 2008 and 2019 that included published results of brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) change and brain volume loss (BVL) in the period from baseline to week 96 or longer were considered. Results Twelve from 146 clinical trials met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into the analysis. DMTs that presented a large reduction in BVL also exhibited robust effects on clinical disability worsening, e.g., alemtuzumab with a 42% risk reduction in 6-month confirmed disability accumulation (p = 0.0084), ocrelizumab with a 40% risk reduction in 6-month confirmed disability progression (p = 0.003), and other DMTs (cladribine and teriflunomide) with moderate influence on brain atrophy were also associated with a marked impact on disability worsening. Dimethyl fumarate (DEFINE) and fingolimod (FREEDOMS I) initially exhibited significant effect on BVL; however, this effect was not confirmed in further clinical trials: CONFIRM and FREEDOMS II, respectively. Peg-IFN-β1a shows a modest effect on BVL and disability worsening. Conclusion Our results show that BVL in one of the components of clinical disability worsening, together with other variables (lesion volume and annualized relapse rate). Standardization of atrophy measurement technique as well as harmonization of disability worsening and progression criteria in further clinical trials are of utmost importance as they enable a reliable comparison of neuroprotective potential of DMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jakub Komendziński
- Department of Adult Neurology, Gdańsk Medical University, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Adam Wyszomirski
- Department of Adult Neurology, Gdańsk Medical University, Gdańsk, Poland
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Alterations of Thalamic Nuclei Volumes and the Intrinsic Thalamic Structural Network in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis-Related Fatigue. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12111538. [PMID: 36421863 PMCID: PMC9688890 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12111538] [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: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatigue is a debilitating and prevalent symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The thalamus is atrophied at an earlier stage of MS and although the role of the thalamus in the pathophysiology of MS-related fatigue has been reported, there have been few studies on intra-thalamic changes. We investigated the alterations of thalamic nuclei volumes and the intrinsic thalamic network in people with MS presenting fatigue (F-MS). The network metrics comprised the clustering coefficient (Cp), characteristic path length (Lp), small-world index (σ), local efficiency (Eloc), global efficiency (Eglob), and nodal metrics. Volumetric analysis revealed that the right anteroventral, right central lateral, right lateral geniculate, right pulvinar anterior, left pulvinar medial, and left pulvinar inferior nuclei were atrophied only in the F-MS group. Furthermore, the F-MS group had significantly increased Lp compared to people with MS not presenting fatigue (NF-MS) (2.9674 vs. 2.4411, PAUC = 0.038). The F-MS group had significantly decreased nodal efficiency and betweenness centrality of the right mediodorsal medial magnocellular nucleus than the NF-MS group (false discovery rate corrected p < 0.05). The F-MS patients exhibited more atrophied thalamic nuclei, poorer network global functional integration, and disrupted right mediodorsal medial magnocellular nuclei interconnectivity with other nuclei. These findings might aid the elucidation of the underlying pathogenesis of MS-related fatigue.
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Chitnis T, Vandercappellen J, King M, Brichetto G. Symptom Interconnectivity in Multiple Sclerosis: A Narrative Review of Potential Underlying Biological Disease Processes. Neurol Ther 2022; 11:1043-1070. [PMID: 35680693 PMCID: PMC9338216 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-022-00368-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fatigue, cognitive impairment, depression, and pain are highly prevalent symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). These often co-occur and may be explained by a common etiology. By reviewing existing literature, we aimed to identify potential underlying biological processes implicated in the interconnectivity between these symptoms. Methods A literature search was conducted to identify articles reporting research into the biological mechanisms responsible for the manifestation of fatigue, cognitive impairment, depression, and pain in MS. PubMed was used to search for articles published from July 2011 to July 2021. We reviewed and assessed findings from the literature to identify biological processes common to the symptoms of interest. Results Of 693 articles identified from the search, 252 were selected following screening of titles and abstracts and assessing reference lists of review articles. Four biological processes linked with two or more of the symptoms of interest were frequently identified from the literature: (1) direct neuroanatomical changes to brain regions linked with symptoms of interest (e.g., thalamic injury associated with cognitive impairment, fatigue, and depression), (2) pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with so-called ‘sickness behavior,’ including manifestation of fatigue, transient cognitive impairment, depression, and pain, (3) dysregulation of monoaminergic pathways leading to depressive symptoms and fatigue, and (4) hyperactivity of the hypothalamic–pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as a result of pro-inflammatory cytokines promoting the release of brain noradrenaline, serotonin, and tryptophan, which is associated with symptoms of depression and cognitive impairment. Conclusion The co-occurrence of fatigue, cognitive impairment, depression, and pain in MS appears to be associated with a common set of etiological factors, namely neuroanatomical changes, pro-inflammatory cytokines, dysregulation of monoaminergic pathways, and a hyperactive HPA axis. This association of symptoms and biological processes has important implications for disease management strategies and, eventually, could help find a common therapeutic pathway that will impact both inflammation and neuroprotection. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40120-022-00368-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanuja Chitnis
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | | | - Miriam King
- Novartis Pharma AG, Fabrikstrasse 12-2, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giampaolo Brichetto
- Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla Rehabilitation Center, Via Operai, 30, 16149, Genoa, GE, Italy
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Rekik A, Aissi M, Rekik I, Mhiri M, Frih MA. Brain atrophy patterns in multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab and its clinical correlates. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2573. [PMID: 35398999 PMCID: PMC9120898 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is defined as a demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, witnessing over the past years a remarkable progress in the therapeutic approaches of the inflammatory process. Yet, the ongoing neurodegenerative process is still ambiguous, under-assessed, and probably under-treated. Atrophy and cognitive dysfunction represent the radiological and clinical correlates of such process. In this study, we evaluated the effect of one specific MS treatment, which is natalizumab (NTZ), on brain atrophy evolution in different anatomical regions and its correlation with the cognitive profile and the physical disability. METHODS We recruited 20 patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) and treated with NTZ. We tracked brain atrophy in different anatomical structures using MRI scans processed with an automated image segmentation technique. We also assessed the progression of physical disability and the cognitive function and its link with the progression of atrophy. RESULTS During the first 2 years of treatment, a significant volume loss was noted within the corpus callosum and the cerebellum gray matter (GM). The annual atrophy rate of the cortical GM, the cerebellum GM, the thalamus, the amygdala, the globus pallidus, and the hippocampus correlated with greater memory impairment. As for the third and fourth years of treatment, a significant atrophy revolved around the gray matter, mainly the cortical one. We also noted an increase of the thalamus volume. CONCLUSION Atrophy in RR-MS patients treated with NTZ is regional and targeting highly cognitive regions mainly of the subcortical gray matter and the cerebellum. The cerebellum atrophy was a marker of physical disability progression. NTZ did not accelerate the atrophy process in MS and may play a neuroprotective role by increasing the thalamus volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arwa Rekik
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Fattouma Bourguiba MonastirMonastirTunisia
| | - Mona Aissi
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Fattouma Bourguiba MonastirMonastirTunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of MonastirFattouma BourguibaMonastirTunisia
| | - Islem Rekik
- BASIRA LabFaculty of Computer and InformaticsIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbulTurkey
- School of Science and EngineeringComputingUniversity of DundeeDundeeUK
| | - Mariem Mhiri
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Fattouma Bourguiba MonastirMonastirTunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of MonastirFattouma BourguibaMonastirTunisia
| | - Mahbouba Ayed Frih
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Fattouma Bourguiba MonastirMonastirTunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of MonastirFattouma BourguibaMonastirTunisia
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Clinical and MRI predictors of cognitive decline in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a 2-year longitudinal study. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 65:103838. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Tommasin S, Iakovleva V, Rocca MA, Giannì C, Tedeschi G, De Stefano N, Pozzilli C, Filippi M, Pantano P. Relation of sensorimotor and cognitive cerebellum functional connectivity with brain structural damage in patients with multiple sclerosis and no disability. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:2036-2046. [PMID: 35298059 PMCID: PMC9323479 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Background and purpose To investigate the relationship between the functional connectivity (FC) of the sensorimotor and cognitive cerebellum and measures of structural damage in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and no physical disability. Methods We selected 144 relapsing–remitting MS patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of ≤1.5 and 98 healthy controls from the Italian Neuroimaging Network Initiative database. From multimodal 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including functional MRI at rest, we calculated lesion load, cortical thickness, and white matter, cortical gray matter, and caudate, putamen, thalamic, and cerebellar volumes. Voxel‐wise FC of the sensorimotor and cognitive cerebellum was assessed with seed‐based analysis, and multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between FC and structural damage. Results Whole brain, white matter, caudate, putamen, and thalamic volumes were reduced in patients compared to controls, whereas cortical gray matter was not significantly different in patients versus controls. Both the sensorimotor and cognitive cerebellum showed a widespread pattern of increased and decreased FC that were negatively associated with structural measures, indicating that the lower the FC, the greater the tissue loss. Lastly, among multiple structural measures, cortical gray matter and white matter volumes were the best predictors of cerebellar FC alterations. Conclusions Increased and decreased cerebellar FC with several brain areas coexist in MS patients with no disability. Our data suggest that white matter loss hampers FC, whereas, in the absence of atrophy, cortical volume represents the framework for FC to increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Tommasin
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Assunta Rocca
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.,Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gioacchino Tedeschi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences and MRI-Center "SUN-FISM", University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola De Stefano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Carlo Pozzilli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - 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, 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
| | - Patrizia Pantano
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS NEUROMED, Pozzilli, Italy
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Nagtegaal S, David S, van Grinsven E, van Zandvoort M, Seravalli E, Snijders T, Philippens M, Verhoeff J. Morphological changes after cranial fractionated photon radiotherapy: Localized loss of white matter and grey matter volume with increasing dose. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2021; 31:14-20. [PMID: 34504960 PMCID: PMC8416633 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Numerous brain MR imaging studies have been performed to understand radiation-induced cognitive decline. However, many of them focus on a single region of interest, e.g. cerebral cortex or hippocampus. In this study, we use deformation-based morphometry (DBM) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to measure the morphological changes in patients receiving fractionated photon RT, and relate these to the dose. Additionally, we study tissue specific volume changes in white matter (WM), grey matter (GM), cerebrospinal fluid and total intracranial volume (TIV). METHODS AND MATERIALS From our database, we selected 28 patients with MRI of high quality available at baseline and 1 year after RT. Scans were rigidly registered to each other, and to the planning CT and dose file. We used DBM to study non-tissue-specific volumetric changes, and VBM to study volume loss in grey matter. Observed changes were then related to the applied radiation dose (in EQD2). Additionally, brain tissue was segmented into WM, GM and cerebrospinal fluid, and changes in these volumes and TIV were tested. RESULTS Performing DBM resulted in clusters of dose-dependent volume loss 1 year after RT seen throughout the brain. Both WM and GM were affected; within the latter both cerebral cortex and subcortical nuclei show volume loss. Volume loss rates ranging from 5.3 to 15.3%/30 Gy were seen in the cerebral cortical regions in which more than 40% of voxels were affected. In VBM, similar loss rates were seen in the cortex and nuclei. The total volume of WM and GM significantly decreased with rates of 5.8% and 2.1%, while TIV remained unchanged as expected. CONCLUSIONS Radiotherapy is associated with dose-dependent intracranial morphological changes throughout the entire brain. Therefore, we will consider to revise sparing of organs at risk based on future cognitive and neurofunctional data.
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Key Words
- Brain neoplasms
- CAT12, Computational Anatomy Toolbox 12
- CSF, cerebrospinal fluid
- CT, computed tomography
- DBM, deformation based morphometry
- FWER, family-wise error rate
- GM, grey matter
- Gray matter
- IMPT, intensity modulated proton therapy
- MNI, Montreal Neurological Institute
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- PALM, permutation analysis of linear models
- PTV, planning target volume
- RT, radiotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- SNR, signal to noise ratio
- TFCE, Threshold-Free Cluster Enhancement
- TFE, turbo fast echo
- TIV, total intracranial volume
- VBM, voxel-based morphometry
- VMAT, volumetric modulated arc therapy
- White matter
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Affiliation(s)
- S.H.J. Nagtegaal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center, HP Q 00.3.11, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - S David
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center, HP Q 00.3.11, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - E.E. van Grinsven
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center, HP Q 00.3.11, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - M.J.E. van Zandvoort
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center, HP L 01.310, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - E. Seravalli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center, HP Q 00.3.11, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - T.J Snijders
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center, HP L 01.310, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - M.E.P. Philippens
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center, HP Q 00.3.11, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - J.J.C. Verhoeff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center, HP Q 00.3.11, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Amin M, Ontaneda D. Thalamic Injury and Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2021; 11:623914. [PMID: 33613423 PMCID: PMC7892763 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.623914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) produces demyelination and degeneration in both gray and white matter. Both cortical and deep gray matter injury is observed during the course of MS. Among deep gray matter structures, the thalamus has received special attention, as it undergoes volume loss in different MS subtypes and is involved in the earliest form of the disease, radiologically isolated syndrome. The thalamus plays an important role as an information relay center, and involvement of the thalamus in MS has been associated with a variety of clinical manifestations in MS, including fatigue, movement disorders, pain, and cognitive impairment (CI). Similar to thalamic volume loss, CI is seen from the earliest stages of MS and is potentially one of the most debilitating manifestations of the disease. The thalamus, particularly the dorsomedial nucleus as part of the basolateral limbic circuit and anterior thalamic nuclei through connections with the prefrontal cortex, has been shown to be involved in CI. Specifically, several cognitive performance measures such as processing speed and memory correlate with thalamic volume. Thalamic atrophy is one of the most important predictors of CI in MS, and both thalamic volume, diffusion tensor imaging measures, and functional activation correlate with the degree of CI in MS. Although the exact mechanism of thalamic atrophy is not well-understood, it is hypothesized to be secondary to degeneration following white matter injury resulting in secondary neurodegeneration and neuronal loss. The thalamus may represent an ideal biomarker for studies aiming to test neuroprotective or restorative therapies aimed at cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moein Amin
- Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Daniel Ontaneda
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Gromisch ES, Dhari Z. Identifying Early Neuropsychological Indicators of Cognitive Involvement in Multiple Sclerosis. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2021; 17:323-337. [PMID: 33574669 PMCID: PMC7872925 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s256689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease of the central nervous system that is most commonly seen in early to middle adulthood, although it can be diagnosed during childhood or later in life. While cognitive impairment can become more prevalent and severe as the disease progresses, signs of cognitive involvement can be apparent in the early stages of the disease. In this review, we discuss the prevalence and types of cognitive impairment seen in early MS, including the specific measures used to identify them, as well as the challenges in characterizing their frequency and progression. In addition to examining the progression of early cognitive involvement over time, we explore the clinical factors associated with early cognitive involvement, including demographics, level of physical disability, disease modifying therapy use, vocational status, and psychological and physical symptoms. Given the prevalence and functional impact these impairments can have for persons with MS, considerations for clinicians are provided, such as the role of early cognitive screenings and the importance of comprehensive neuropsychological assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S Gromisch
- Mandell Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, Trinity Health Of New England, Hartford, CT, USA
- Department of Rehabilitative Medicine, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, North Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Medical Sciences, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, North Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Zaenab Dhari
- Mandell Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, Trinity Health Of New England, Hartford, CT, USA
- Department of Rehabilitative Medicine, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, North Haven, CT, USA
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11
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Datta R, Bacchus MK, Kumar D, Elliott MA, Rao A, Dolui S, Reddy R, Banwell BL, Saranathan M. Fast automatic segmentation of thalamic nuclei from MP2RAGE acquisition at 7 Tesla. Magn Reson Med 2020; 85:2781-2790. [PMID: 33270943 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Thalamic nuclei are largely invisible in conventional MRI due to poor contrast. Thalamus Optimized Multi-Atlas Segmentation (THOMAS) provides automatic segmentation of 12 thalamic nuclei using white-matter-nulled (WMn) Magnetization Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo (MPRAGE) sequence at 7T, but increases overall scan duration. Routinely acquired, bias-corrected Magnetization Prepared 2 Rapid Gradient Echo (MP2RAGE) sequence yields superior tissue contrast and quantitative T1 maps. Application of THOMAS to MP2RAGE has been investigated in this study. METHODS Eight healthy volunteers and five pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis patients were recruited at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and scanned at Siemens 7T with WMn-MPRAGE and multi-echo-MP2RAGE (ME-MP2RAGE) sequences. White-matter-nulled contrast was synthesized (MP2-SYN) from T1 maps from ME-MP2RAGE sequence. Thalamic nuclei were segmented using THOMAS joint label fusion algorithm from WMn-MPRAGE and MP2-SYN datasets. THOMAS pipeline was modified to use majority voting to segment bias corrected T1-weighted uniform (MP2-UNI) images. Thalamic nuclei from MP2-SYN and MP2-UNI images were evaluated against corresponding nuclei obtained from WMn-MPRAGE images using dice coefficients, volume similarity indices (VSIs) and distance between centroids. RESULTS For MP2-SYN, dice > 0.85 and VSI > 0.95 was achieved for five larger nuclei and dice > 0.6 and VSI > 0.7 was achieved for seven smaller nuclei. The dice and VSI were slightly higher, whereas the distance between centroids were smaller for MP2-SYN compared to MP2-UNI, indicating improved performance using the MP2-SYN image. CONCLUSIONS THOMAS algorithm can successfully segment thalamic nuclei in MP2RAGE images with essentially equivalent quality as WMn-MPRAGE, widening its applicability in studies focused on thalamic involvement in aging and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritobrato Datta
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Micky K Bacchus
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dushyant Kumar
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mark A Elliott
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aditya Rao
- Biological Basis of Behavior Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sudipto Dolui
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brenda L Banwell
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Measures of Thalamic Integrity are Associated with Cognitive Functioning in Fingolimod-treated Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020; 47:102635. [PMID: 33260053 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is common in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and multiple domains are affected, including information processing speed, episodic memory, and executive function. Damage to the thalamus appears to be related to cognitive functioning in MS. Fingolimod is a disease-modifying therapy for RRMS, which has been shown to have a protective effect on thalamic volume. OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between cognitive measures and the thalamus in fingolimod-treated RRMS patients and healthy controls using ultra high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS Fingolimod-treated RRMS and healthy participants were recruited from a single center to undergo neuropsychological testing and 7 tesla MRI. These assessments were performed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. The neuropsychological testing included the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMTR), the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), the Selective Reminding Test (SRT), and the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS). MRI metrics included thalamic volume, thalamic myelin density, thalamic axon density, T2 lesion volume, brain parenchymal fraction, and cortical thickness. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to determine the relationship between MRI parameters and neuropsychological test performance over time. Rates of change in patients and controls were compared using two-sample t-tests. RESULTS We enrolled 15 RRMS patients and 5 healthy controls. Controls performed better than patients at baseline, but this difference was only significant for the letter fluency subtest of the DKEFS and for long-term storage as assessed by the SRT. Thalamic volume and thalamic myelin density were significantly associated with visuospatial (BVMTR) and verbal memory (SRT). Thalamic volume alone was also associated with inhibitory control (Color word interference subtest of the DKEFS) and cognitive flexibility (Number letter switching subtest of the DKEFS), whereas thalamic myelin density alone was associated with semantic knowledge (Verbal fluency subtest of the DKEFS). There were no significant changes in the rates of change in neurometric test performance or MRI metrics between patients and controls from baseline to 6 months and baseline to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Thalamic injury is associated with cognitive performance in several domains. Fingolimod-treated RRMS patients evolved similarly to healthy controls over one year with regards to neuropsychological test performance and changes on MRI.
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Dose-dependent volume loss in subcortical deep grey matter structures after cranial radiotherapy. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2020; 26:35-41. [PMID: 33294645 PMCID: PMC7691672 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Subcortical grey matter is susceptible to dose-dependent volume loss after RT. Hippocampal age increases 1 year after radiotherapy, by a median of 11 years. We may need to reconsider current sparing strategies in RT for brain tumours. Future studies should examine the impact of deep GM volume loss on cognition.
Background and purpose The relation between radiotherapy (RT) dose to the brain and morphological changes in healthy tissue has seen recent increased interest. There already is evidence for changes in the cerebral cortex and white matter, as well as selected subcortical grey matter (GM) structures. We studied this relation in all deep GM structures, to help understand the aetiology of post-RT neurocognitive symptoms. Materials and methods We selected 31 patients treated with RT for grade II-IV glioma. Pre-RT and 1 year post-RT 3D T1-weighted MRIs were automatically segmented, and the changes in volume of the following structures were assessed: amygdala, nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus, hippocampus, globus pallidus, putamen, and thalamus. The volumetric changes were related to the mean RT dose received by each structure. Hippocampal volumes were entered into a population-based nomogram to estimate hippocampal age. Results A significant relation between RT dose and volume loss was seen in all examined structures, except the caudate nucleus. The volume loss rates ranged from 0.16 to 1.37%/Gy, corresponding to 4.9–41.2% per 30 Gy. Hippocampal age, as derived from the nomogram, was seen to increase by a median of 11 years. Conclusion Almost all subcortical GM structures are susceptible to radiation-induced volume loss, with higher volume loss being observed with increasing dose. Volume loss of these structures is associated with neurological deterioration, including cognitive decline, in neurodegenerative diseases. To support a causal relationship between radiation-induced deep GM loss and neurocognitive functioning in glioma patients, future studies are needed that directly correlate volumetrics to clinical outcomes.
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Key Words
- Amygdala
- Brain neoplasms
- CAT12, computational anatomy toolbox 12
- CT, computed tomography
- Caudate nucleus
- FWER, family-wise error rate
- GM, grey matter
- Globus pallidus
- Gray matter
- Hippocampus
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- Nucleus accumbens
- PALM, permutation analysis of linear models
- PTV, planning target volume
- Putamen
- RT, radiotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- SPM, statistical parametric mapping
- TFE, turbo fast echo
- Thalamus
- WBRT, whole-brain radiotherapy
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Thalamic atrophy correlates with dysfunctional impulsivity in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020; 44:102374. [PMID: 32652509 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies highlight the central role of thalamic atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) related disorders. Behavioural aspects of (MS) are rarely explored but their investigation is of high interest. Dickman's Impulsiveness Inventory (DII) allows distinguishing functional impulsivity (FI) which is the ability to react fast and properly when necessary, from dysfunctional impulsivity (DI) which is a behavioural symptom corresponding to the tendency to miss forethought before acting. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to explore whether MS patients show significantly high and pathological DI, and to evaluate the impulsivity frequency in the different forms of MS including at the early stage of the Clinically Isolated Syndrome. Furthermore, this study focused on the factors that may induce abnormal impulsivity, and the link between thalamic atrophy and dysfunctional impulsivity in patients with MS. METHODS 95 patients with demyelinating diseases including 21 Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS), 30 Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS), 23 Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) and 21 Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) were prospectively recruited, and covered by extensive cognitive evaluation including the BCCogSEP (French version of the Brief Repeatable Battery for Neurological disease), the CSCT (Computerized Speed Cognitive Test) for processing speed of information (PSI), the DII to measure FI and DI, the Fast BDI to evaluate depression, and the EMIF-SEP scale to study physical, cognitive and social fatigues. 3D T2-FLAIR and 3D T1-weighted MRI were analyzed using automatic segmentation tools to quantify the T2 lesion load and to measure the whole and regional brain atrophy. RESULTS 7% showed a pathologically high DI. The level of DI tended to differ significantly depending on the MS phenotype. There was no significant difference between RRMS, SPMS and PPMS, but RRMS showed significantly higher DI than CIS patients. Cognitive fatigue (r:-0.27, p<.01), depression (r:-0.21, p=.04) but mainly PSI (r:.33, p<.001) showed a significant correlation with DI. Among the brain regions of interest, the strongest significant correlation with DI was with thalamic atrophy (r:.33, p<.001). CONCLUSION Some MS patients show a pathologically high DI, mainly RRMS compared to CIS. Previous study highlighted impulsive traits in MS patients only in relation with the presence of depression. The present study demonstrates that depression tends to correlate with DI, but that cognitive fatigue, and mainly slowing of PSI, which is the most early and severe cognitive impairment in MS, have a stronger impact on the rise of pathological impulsive behaviour. DI in MS is linked to frontal regions but even more strongly to thalamus atrophy. This is in line with the hypothesis of a disconnection syndrome in MS that causes cognitive impairment to trigger and could have the same impact on behaviour. Hence, impulsive behaviour should be evaluated and taken into account in the care of patients with MS.
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Oset M, Stasiolek M, Matysiak M. Cognitive Dysfunction in the Early Stages of Multiple Sclerosis-How Much and How Important? Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2020; 20:22. [PMID: 32444997 PMCID: PMC7244611 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-020-01045-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that mainly affects young adults and that is one of the leading causes of disability in this age group, with cognitive impairment occurring early in the course of the disease. This article summarizes the current knowledge about cognitive dysfunction in the early phase of MS, including biomarkers, MRI correlates, and its value as a prognostic marker. Recent Findings New sets of neuropsychological tests have been established to screen for cognitive dysfunction more easily and accurately. Moreover, structural changes detected by brain MRI and several biomarkers found in cerebrospinal fluid and blood serum have been recently correlated with decreased cognitive performance. Additionally, factors influencing cognition in MS, such as disease-modifying therapy, mood disorders, and lifestyle, are better described. Summary Cognitive impairment early in the course of MS is suggested as a prognostic factor for disease progression. However, clear-cut definitions of the early stage of MS as well as unified criteria for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment are still lacking. New and more reliable tools for evaluating cognition in MS patients should be developed and introduced into everyday practice to facilitate the implementation of effective disease-modifying therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and lifestyle management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Oset
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego 22, 90-153, Lodz, Poland
| | - Mariusz Stasiolek
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego 22, 90-153, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Mariola Matysiak
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego 22, 90-153, Lodz, Poland
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Nasios G, Bakirtzis C, Messinis L. Cognitive Impairment and Brain Reorganization in MS: Underlying Mechanisms and the Role of Neurorehabilitation. Front Neurol 2020; 11:147. [PMID: 32210905 PMCID: PMC7068711 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory, and degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects both white and gray matter. Various mechanisms throughout its course, mainly regarding gray matter lesions and brain atrophy, result in cognitive network dysfunction and can cause clinically significant cognitive impairment in roughly half the persons living with MS. Altered cognition is responsible for many negative aspects of patients' lives, independently of physical disability, such as higher unemployment and divorce rates, reduced social activities, and an overall decrease in quality of life. Despite its devastating impact it is not included in clinical ratings and decision making in the way it should be. It is interesting that only half the persons with MS exhibit cognitive dysfunction, as this implies that the other half remain cognitively intact. It appears that a dynamic balance between brain destruction and brain reorganization is taking place. This balance acts in favor of keeping brain systems functioning effectively, but this is not so in all cases, and the effect does not last forever. When these systems collapse, functional brain reorganization is not effective anymore, and clinically apparent impairments are evident. It is therefore important to reveal which factors could make provision for the subpopulation of patients in whom cognitive impairment occurs. Even if we manage to detect this subpopulation earlier, effective pharmaceutical treatments will still be lacking. Nevertheless, recent evidence shows that cognitive rehabilitation and neuromodulation, using non-invasive techniques such as transcranial magnetic or direct current stimulation, could be effective in cognitively impaired patients with MS. In this Mini Review, we discuss the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in MS. We also focus on mechanisms of reorganization of cognitive networks, which occur throughout the disease course. Finally, we review theoretical and practical issues of neurorehabilitation and neuromodulation for cognition in MS as well as factors that influence them and prevent them from being widely applied in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigorios Nasios
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Christos Bakirtzis
- Department of Neurology, The Multiple Sclerosis Center, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Lambros Messinis
- Neuropsychology Section, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
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Ifantopoulou P, Artemiadis AK, Bakirtzis C, Zekiou K, Papadopoulos TS, Diakogiannis I, Hadjigeorgiou G, Grigoriadis N, Orologas A. Cognitive and brain reserve in multiple sclerosis––A cross-sectional study. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2019; 35:128-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2019.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Johnen A, Schiffler P, Landmeyer NC, Tenberge JG, Riepl E, Wiendl H, Krämer J, Meuth SG. Resolving the cognitive clinico-radiological paradox - Microstructural degeneration of fronto-striatal-thalamic loops in early active multiple sclerosis. Cortex 2019; 121:239-252. [PMID: 31654896 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2019.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations between cognitive impairment (CI) and both global and regional brain volumes can be weak in early multiple sclerosis (MS), a dilemma known as cognitive clinico-radiological paradox. We hypothesized that white-matter (WM) integrity within fronto-striatal-thalamic networks may be a sensitive marker for impaired performance in speed-dependent tasks, typical for early MS. METHODS Twenty-seven patients with early active relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) received comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and underwent structural and diffusion-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Global and regional brain volumes were obtained using FreeSurfer software. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was computed from diffusion tensor images to assess microstructural alterations within three anatomically predefined fronto-striatal-thalamic loops known to be relevant for speed-dependent attention and executive functions. RESULTS Overall cognitive performance (Spearman's ρ = .51) and performance in the domains processing speed (ρ = .44) and executive functions (ρ = .41) were correlated with patients' mean FA within the right dorsolateral-prefrontal loop. In addition, overall cognitive performance correlated with mean FA within the right lateral orbitofrontal loop (ρ = .39) - but only before controlling for WM lesion count. In contrast, regional volumes of grey-matter structures within these fronto-striatal-thalamic loops (including the thalamus) were not significantly related to CI. The total brain volume was associated with performance in the domain verbal memory (ρ = .43) only. CONCLUSIONS Microstructural degeneration within specific fronto-striatal-thalamic WM networks, previously characterized as crucial for task-monitoring, better accounts for speed-dependent CI in patients with early active RRMS than global or regional brain volumes. Our findings may advance our understanding of the neural substrates underlying CI characteristic for early RRMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Johnen
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Patrick Schiffler
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nils C Landmeyer
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jan-Gerd Tenberge
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ester Riepl
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Heinz Wiendl
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Julia Krämer
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sven G Meuth
- Department of Neurology with Institute for Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
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