New imaging language skills required in MS

Altered hippocampal functional connectivity in primary Sjögren syndrome: a resting-state fMRI study

Structural and metabolic abnormalities in the hippocampus have been associated with the pathophysiological mechanism of central nervous system involvement in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS). Nevertheless, how hippocampal function is altered in pSS remains unknown. The purpose of our study is to investigate the alterations in hippocampal functional connectivity (FC) in pSS by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Thirty-eight patients with pSS and 38 age- and education level-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent magnetic resonance imaging examination. Prior to each MRI examination, neuropsychological tests were performed. Left and right hippocampal FCs were analyzed by using seed-based whole-brain correlation and compared between pSS and HCs. Spearman correlation analysis was performed between the z-value of hippocampal FC in brain regions with significant difference between the two groups and neuropsychological tests/clinical data in pSS. Compared with the controls, the patients with pSS showed decreased hippocampal FC between the left hippocampus and the right inferior occipital gray (IOG)/inferior temporal gray (ITG), as well as between the right hippocampus and right IOG/middle occipital gray (MOG), left MOG, and left middle temporal gray. In addition, increased hippocampal FCs were detected between the left hippocampus and left putamen, as well as between the right hippocampus and right cerebellum posterior lobe. Moreover, the visual reproduction score positively correlated with the FC between right hippocampus and right IOG/MOG. The white matter hyperintensity score negatively correlated with the FC between left hippocampus and right IOG/ITG. In conclusion, patients with pSS suffered decreased hippocampal FC mainly sited in the occipital and temporal cortex with right hippocampal laterality. Altered hippocampal FC might be a potential biomarker in detecting brain function changes and guiding neuroprotection in pSS.

'Progressive MS - macro views': The need for novel clinical trial paradigms to enable drug development for progressive MS

This article outlines the principal challenges to establish a standard phase-2 approach for progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) and presents referring strategies to accelerate the registration process via a guidance approved by regulatory agencies. Accordingly, the contribution of 'big datasets' for a better understanding of the natural history of primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) and secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) and of their prognostic factors and the value of novel biomarkers are discussed. The establishment of new industry-academic initiatives, such as independent consortia under the umbrella of Progressive MS Alliance (PMSA), with the endorsement of MS organizations and Scientific Societies (e.g. European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS)) may be crucial to overcome some of the current challenges. Within this frame, the continuous interaction with regulatory agencies is instrumental for the formal validation of the many developments suitable to improve clinical trialling in PMS.