Improvement of quality of life and its relationship with neuropsychiatric outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis starting treatment with natalizumab: A 3-year follow-up multicentric study.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is impaired in multiple sclerosis (MS) but can be improved by disease-modifying therapies such as natalizumab. However, the predictive factors and neuropsychiatric correlates of HRQoL improvement are unknown. METHODS: In this study, 48 patients with relapsing-remitting MS were included in a 3-year open-label, single group, multicenter, clinical trial (NCT01392872). HRQoL was measured by the disease-specific MusiQoL questionnaire, together with physical disability, cognition, fatigue, anxiety and depression scores at baseline, 6months, 12months, 18months and 36months after starting natalizumab therapy. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, global HRQoL, as measured with the index of the MusiQoL, was significantly increased 6months after the beginning of natalizumab therapy, with medium effect-size (58.6±16.2 vs 69.8±18.9, p<0.001, Cohen's d=0.63). This improvement was maintained over time for up to 3years and mainly concerned activity of daily living, psychological well-being, symptoms and coping (p<0.001 for every dimensions). The variation of global HRQoL after 3years was negatively correlated with the variation of fatigue score (r=-0.44, p=0.015). Furthermore, a higher fatigue score at baseline was correlated with improvement in global HRQoL 3years afterwards (r=0.34, p=0.041), independently of age, educational level, disease duration and disability at baseline (ß=2.45, p=0.020). Disability at baseline, cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression failed to predict or correlate with global HRQoL improvement in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Natalizumab improved HRQoL quickly and sustainably in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. In terms of HRQoL, natalizumab seems to benefit mostly patients with more marked fatigue at baseline.

Improvement of spasticity following intermittent theta burst stimulation in multiple sclerosis is associated with modulation of resting-state functional connectivity of the primary motor cortices.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) of the primary motor cortex improves transiently lower limbs spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the cerebral mechanisms underlying this effect have never been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether modulation of spasticity induced by iTBS is underlined by functional reorganization of the primary motor cortices. METHODS: A total of 17 patients with MS suffering from lower limbs spasticity were randomized to receive real iTBS or sham iTBS during the first half of a 5-week indoor rehabilitation programme. Spasticity was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale and the Visual Analogue Scale at baseline, after the stimulation session and at the end of the rehabilitation programme. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed at the three time points, and brain functional networks topology was analysed using graph-theoretical approach. RESULTS: At the end of stimulation, improvement of spasticity was greater in real iTBS group than in sham iTBS group ( p = 0.026). iTBS had a significant effect on the balance of the connectivity degree between the stimulated and the homologous primary motor cortex ( p = 0.005). Changes in inter-hemispheric balance were correlated with improvement of spasticity (rho = 0.56, p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: This longitudinal resting-state fMRI study evidences that functional reorganization of the primary motor cortices may underlie the effect of iTBS on spasticity in MS.

Brain functional plasticity at rest and during action in multiple sclerosis patients.

We aimed to demonstrate that basal functional connectivity reorganization observed in a specific network at rest using resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) could be associated with functional cortical reorganization in such network during action (ta-fMRI) in a population of early multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Altered basal functional connectivity has been previously reported in patients with MS but relationships with cortical reorganization during action have not been explored. Thirteen patients with early relapsing-remitting MS and 14 matched healthy controls were explored on a 3T MRI scanner at rest and during a motor task (conjugate finger flexion and extension movements of each hand). Hand motor networks were extracted from rs-fMRI data using group spatial independent component analysis. For the non-dominant motor network, patients presented a higher basal functional connectivity at rest and recruited a supplementary prefrontal cortical area during action compared to the controls. The levels of hyperconnectivity at rest and of activation in the recruited area during action were significantly correlated. No differences were demonstrated for the dominant motor network at rest and during action. The present study, combining rs-fMRI and ta-fMRI in non-disabled patients with early MS, revealed for the first time a direct association between functional reorganization depicted at rest and during action within the same system.

Quantification of relevance of quality of life assessment for patients with cognitive impairment: the suitability indices.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which MS patients with cognitive dysfunction can accurately self-report outcomes has been a crucial issue. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the relevance of the quality of life (QoL) assessment between two populations with a high occurrence of cognitive dysfunction, specifically in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in individuals suffering from schizophrenia (SCZ). DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was performed using the following inclusion criteria: MS and SCZ patients were diagnosed according to the McDonald criteria and DSM-IV criteria, respectively. Data on sociodemographic (age, gender, education level) and clinical (disease severity, disease duration) factors, QoL (disease-specific questionnaires, MusiQoL and SQoL) and cognitive performance (executive, memory, and attention functions) were collected. Non-impaired and impaired populations were defined according to the French norms. Psychometric properties were compared to those reported in reference populations, which were assessed in the respective validation studies. Suitability indices were provided used to quantitatively compare how the structures in the different populations matched with the initial structure of the questionnaires (reference populations). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four MS patients and 113 SCZ patients were enrolled. Factor analysis was performed on the impaired populations and revealed that the questionnaire structure adequately matched the initial structure of the disease-specific QoL questionnaires. All of the suitability indices of construct and external validity in the non-impaired populations ranged from 70 to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that cognitive dysfunction did not compromise the reliability or validity of the self-reported QoL questionnaires among subjects with cognitive dysfunction, such as MS and SCZ. Thus, this report may clarify the relevance of using self-reported QoL assessments in clinical practice.

Topography of brain sodium accumulation in progressive multiple sclerosis.

OBJECT: Sodium accumulation is involved in neuronal injury occurring in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to assess sodium accumulation in progressive MS, known to suffer from severe neuronal injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D-(23)Na-MRI was obtained on a 3T-MR-scanner in 20 progressive MS patients [11 primary-progressive (PPMS) and nine secondary-progressive (SPMS)] and 15 controls. Total sodium concentrations (TSC) within grey matter (GM), normal-appearing white matter (WM) and lesions were extracted. Statistical mapping analyses of TSC abnormalities were also performed. RESULTS: Progressive MS patients presented higher GM-TSC values (48.8 ± 3.1 mmol/l wet tissue vol, p < 0.001) and T2lesions-TSC values (50.9 ± 2.2 mmol/l wet tissue vol, p = 0.01) compared to GM and WM of controls. Statistical mapping analysis showed TSC increases in PPMS patients confined to motor and somatosensory cortices, prefrontal cortices, pons and cerebellum. In SPMS, TSC increases were associated with areas involving: primary motor, premotor and somatosensory cortices; prefrontal, cingulate and visual cortices; the corpus callosum, thalami, brainstem and cerebellum. Anterior prefrontal and premotor cortices TSC were correlated with disability. CONCLUSION: Sodium accumulation is present in progressive MS patients, more restricted to the motor system in PPMS and more widespread in SPMS. Local brain sodium accumulation appears as a promising marker to monitor patients with progressive MS.

What is the relevance of quality of life assessment for patients with attention impairment?

BACKGROUND: Attention disturbances are frequently observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The aim of this study was to provide new evidence regarding the suitability of using self-reported QoL information in this impaired population by exploring the construct validity, reliability, and external validity of a MS-specific quality of life (QoL) instrument. DESIGN: cross-sectional study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: MS patients of any disease subtype. DATA COLLECTION: sociodemographic (age, gender, marital status, education level, and occupational activity) and clinical data (Expanded Disability Status Scale, disease duration); QoL (MusiQoL and SF36); and attention performance (Wechsler Memory Scale and PASAT). According to the French norms, non-impaired and impaired populations were defined. For each population, suitability indices were provided to quantify how the structures matched with the initial structure of the reference population assessed in the validation study. FINDINGS: One hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients were enrolled. The factor analysis performed in the impaired populations showed that the questionnaire structure adequately matched the initial structure of the MusiQoL. The unidimensionality of the dimensions was preserved, and the internal/external validity indices were close to those of the reference population. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that attention impairment dysfunction did not compromise the reliability and validity of the self-reported QoL questionnaires.

Relevance of quality of life assessment for multiple sclerosis patients with memory impairment.

BACKGROUND: Memory disturbances, in particular episodic verbal memory dysfunction, are the most frequent cognitive impairment observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The use of self-reported outcomes for evaluating treatment and managing care of these subjects has been questioned. The aim of this study was to provide new evidence about the suitability of self-reported outcomes for use in this impaired population by exploring the internal structure, reliability and external validity of a specific quality of life (QoL) instrument, the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life questionnaire (MusiQoL). DESIGN: cross-sectional study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: MS patients of any disease subtype. DATA COLLECTION: sociodemographic (age, gender, marital status, education level, and occupational activity) and clinical data (MS subtype, Expanded Disability Status Scale, disease duration); QoL (MusiQoL and SF36); and memory performance (Grober and Buschke test). In accordance with the French norms of the memory test, non-impaired and impaired populations were defined for short- and long-delay free composites and for short- and long-delay total composites. For the 8 populations, psychometric properties were compared to those reported from the reference population assessed in the validation study. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: One hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients were enrolled. The analysis performed in the impaired populations showed that the questionnaire structure adequately matched the initial structure of the MusiQoL. The unidimensionality of the dimensions was preserved, and the internal/external validity indices were close to those of the reference population. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study suggests that memory dysfunction did not compromise the reliability or validity of the self-reported QoL questionnaires.

Voxelwise analysis of conventional magnetic resonance imaging to predict future disability in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The ability of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict subsequent physical disability and cognitive deterioration after a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is weak. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate whether conventional MRI changes over 1 year could predict cognitive and physical disability 5 years later in CIS. We performed analyses using a global approach (T(2) lesion load, number of T(2) lesions), but also a topographic approach. METHODS: This study included 38 patients with a CIS. At inclusion, 10 out of 38 patients fulfilled the 2010 revised McDonald's criteria for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) evaluation was performed at baseline, year 1 and year 5, and cognitive evaluation at baseline and year 5. T(2)-weighted MRI was performed at baseline and year 1. We used voxelwise analysis to analyse the predictive value of lesions location for subsequent disability. RESULTS: Using the global approach, no correlation was found between MRI and clinical data. The occurrence or growth of new lesions in the brainstem was correlated with EDSS changes over the 5 years of follow-up. The occurrence or growth of new lesions in cerebellum, thalami, corpus callosum and frontal lobes over 1 year was correlated with cognitive impairment at 5 years. CONCLUSION: The assessment of lesion location at the first stage of multiple sclerosis may be of value to predict future clinical disability.

Assessing brain connectivity at rest is clinically relevant in early multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to determine the clinical counterpart of brain resting-state networks reorganization recently evidenced in early multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Thirteen patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and 14 matched healthy controls were included in a resting state functional MRI study performed at 3 T. Data were analyzed using group spatial Independent Component Analysis using concatenation approach (FSL 4.1.3) and double regression analyses (SPM5) to extract local and global levels of connectivity inside various resting state networks (RSNs). Differences in global levels of connectivity of each network between patients and controls were assessed using Mann-Whitney U-test. In patients, relationship between clinical data (Expanded Disability Status Scale and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite Score - MSFC) and global RSN connectivity were assessed using Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS: Independent component analysis provided eight consistent neuronal networks involved in motor, sensory and cognitive processes. For seven RSNs, the global level of connectivity was significantly increased in patients compared with controls. No significant decrease in RSN connectivity was found in early multiple sclerosis patients. MSFC values were negatively correlated with increased RSN connectivity within the dorsal frontoparietal network (r = -0.811, p = 0.001), the right ventral frontoparietal network (r = - 0.587, p = 0.045) and the prefronto-insular network (r = -0.615, p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that resting state networks reorganization is strongly associated with disability in early multiple sclerosis. These findings suggest that resting state functional MRI may represent a promising surrogate marker of disease burden.

Is the concept of quality of life relevant for multiple sclerosis patients with cognitive impairment? Preliminary results of a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment occurs in about 50% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and the use of self-reported outcomes for evaluating treatment and managing care among subjects with cognitive dysfunction has been questioned. The aim of this study was to provide new evidence about the suitability of self-reported outcomes for use in this specific population by exploring the internal structure, reliability and external validity of a specific quality of life (QoL) instrument, the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life questionnaire (MusiQoL). DESIGN: cross-sectional study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: MS patients of any disease subtype. DATA COLLECTION: sociodemographic (age, gender, marital status, education level, and occupational activity) and clinical data (MS subtype, Expanded Disability Status Scale, disease duration); QoL (MusiQoL and SF36); and neuropsychological performance (Stroop color-word test). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: confirmatory factor analysis, item-dimension correlations, Cronbach's alpha coefficients, Rasch statistics, relationships between MusiQoL dimensions and other parameters. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: One hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients were enrolled. QoL scores did not differ between the 69 cognitively non-impaired patients and the 55 cognitively impaired patients, except for the symptoms dimension. The confirmatory factor analysis performed among the impaired subjects showed that the structure of the questionnaire matched with the initial structure of the MusiQoL. The unidimensionality of the MusiQoL dimensions was preserved, and the internal validity indices were satisfactory and close to those of the reference population. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study suggests that executive dysfunction did not compromise the reliability and the validity of the self-reported QoL questionnaires.

Intrathecal synthesis of IgM measured after a first demyelinating event suggestive of multiple sclerosis is associated with subsequent MRI brain lesion accrual.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that intrathecal synthesis of IgM is observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) and correlates with a worse disease course. These results suggest that IgM participates in the formation of MS lesions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the potential association between the level of intrathecal synthesis of IgM measured after a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and the subsequent formation of brain lesions. METHODS: Fifty seven patients with a CIS and a high risk developing MS were enrolled in a longitudinal study. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid was performed after the CIS and included measures of intrathecal IgM and IgG synthesis. Patients were assessed with the same 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system at baseline and after a mean follow-up period of 49 months (range 36-60). Spearman Rank correlation was used to assess the potential correlations between levels of intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis and MRI data. RESULTS: The level of intrathecal IgM synthesis was correlated with the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions at baseline (p = 0.01) and with accrual of brain lesions during the follow-up period (p = 0.02). By taking into account brain sub-regions, we demonstrated that the level of intrathecal IgM synthesis was only correlated with the increased number of lesions in the periventricular regions (p = 0.004). The level of intrathecal IgG synthesis was not correlated with any MRI data. CONCLUSION: The present longitudinal study demonstrates that the level of intrathecal IgM synthesis measured after a CIS is associated with subsequent lesion accrual during the first years of MS. This result emphasizes the involvement of IgM in plaque formation.

Prevalence of grey matter pathology in early multiple sclerosis assessed by magnetization transfer ratio imaging.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence, the distribution and the impact on disability of grey matter (GM) pathology in early multiple sclerosis. Eighty-eight patients with a clinically isolated syndrome with a high risk developing multiple sclerosis were included in the study. Forty-four healthy controls constituted the normative population. An optimized statistical mapping analysis was performed to compare each subject's GM Magnetization Transfer Ratio (MTR) imaging maps with those of the whole group of controls. The statistical threshold of significant GM MTR decrease was determined as the maximum p value (p<0.05 FDR) for which no significant cluster survived when comparing each control to the whole control population. Using this threshold, 51% of patients showed GM abnormalities compared to controls. Locally, 37% of patients presented abnormalities inside the limbic cortex, 34% in the temporal cortex, 32% in the deep grey matter, 30% in the cerebellum, 30% in the frontal cortex, 26% in the occipital cortex and 19% in the parietal cortex. Stepwise regression analysis evidenced significant association (p = 0.002) between EDSS and both GM pathology (p = 0.028) and T2 white matter lesions load (p = 0.019). In the present study, we evidenced that individual analysis of GM MTR map allowed demonstrating that GM pathology is highly heterogeneous across patients at the early stage of MS and partly underlies irreversible disability.

Cognitive impairment at the onset of multiple sclerosis: relationship to lesion location.

The impact of lesion location on cognitive functioning was assessed in a group of 97 patients with a clinically isolated syndrome. Using the Brief Repeatable Battery, we evidenced that 24% of patients showed at least one abnormal test, 20% at least two and 15% at least three. Verbal learning performances were inversely associated with presence of lesions in Broca's area, in the right frontal lobe and in the splenium while spatial learning performances were inversely correlated to the presence of lesions in the deep white matter. No associations were evidenced between lesion location and performance of tasks exploring attention and executive functions.

Cognitive function and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Nearly half of all patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) will develop cognitive dysfunction. Studies highlighted from no/weak impact to a strong impact of cognitive impairment on quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of cognitive dysfunction on self-reported QoL in MS patients while considering key confounding factors. DESIGN: cross-sectional study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: MS patients of any disease subtype. DATA COLLECTION: sociodemographic (age, gender, marital status, education level, and occupational activity) and clinical data (MS subtype, disease duration); MS disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS); depression (Beck Depression Inventory); fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale); QoL (SF36 and MusiQoL); and neuropsychological performance (Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests, BRB-N). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: multiple linear regressions (forward-stepwise selection). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four patients were enrolled. Performance on BRB-N subtests varied widely (6% to 70% abnormal). The BRB-N classified 37-78% of the patients as cognitively impaired, depending on the definition of cognitive impairment. No links were found between the MusiQoL index and cognitive subtests, whereas marital status, EDSS, and depression were found to be independent predictive factors. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated the weak and scarce association between cognitive impairment and QoL, when the key confounding factors were considered. These results need to be confirmed with larger samples and more accurate tests of cognitive function.

Motor cortical reorganization is present after a single attack of multiple sclerosis devoid of cortico-spinal dysfunction.

OBJECT: While occurrence of motor cortical reorganization has been clearly demonstrated in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), it is not yet clear whether this cortical reorganization constitutes a response to cortico-spinal lesions or to more diffuse damage affecting the neuronal network involved in motor act preparation, or both. We proposed to investigate the changes in the activation pattern during a simple motor task devoid of cortico-spinal dysfunction occurring in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 15 right-handed CIS patients, we selected eight patients with a preserved central motor pathway established by motor evoked potentials. Ten healthy right-handed gender- and age-matched volunteers were also included. After morphological MRI, subjects performed calibrated conjugated finger flexion and extension movements during fMRI acquisition. RESULTS: In CIS patients, simple movements of the non-dominant hand induced recruitment of the anterior cingulate cortex (BA32) usually involved in complex motor movements. This reorganization was correlated with the diffuse brain tissue damage (brain T2 lesion load). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that at least part of the cortical reorganization observed during very simple tasks in the earliest stage of MS occurs whether or not the efferent pathways are intact.

Occurrence of neuronal dysfunction during the first 5 years of multiple sclerosis is associated with cognitive deterioration.

Brain neuronal injury is present in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) from the earliest stage of the disease; however, the functional counterpart of early neuronal injury is largely unknown. The goal of this study was to assess the potential impact of early neuronal dysfunction affecting white matter (WM), grey matter (GM), or the cerebellum on cognitive deterioration and/or EDSS progression during the first 5 years of MS. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) examinations and neuropsychological assessments were performed in 23 patients included after the first clinical attack of MS and 24 healthy controls. The same protocol was performed in patients after a follow-up of 5 years. Metabolic neuronal function was assessed in WM (splenium of corpus callosum), GM (dorsal posterior cingulate cortex), and the cerebellum by evaluating N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels. During follow-up, 39% of patients showed cognitive deterioration and 43% showed a deterioration in their EDSS. Patients with cognitive deterioration had greater NAA level reductions during follow-up in the cerebellum (p = 0.003) and WM (p = 0.02) compared to patients without cognitive deterioration. In addition, patients with cognitive deterioration had higher progression of T2 lesion load (T2LL) during the follow-up period compared to patients without cognitive deterioration (p = 0.03). No differences between patients with and without EDSS progression in terms of NAA levels or T2LL were observed. The present longitudinal study found evidence that, during the first 5 years of MS, cognitive deterioration is associated with the progression of neuronal dysfunction and tissue injury as assessed by MRS and T2LL, respectively.

Frequency of cognitive impairment dramatically increases during the first 5 years of multiple sclerosis.

Previous studies have demonstrated that cognitive impairment is already present in patients suffering from a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, little is known about the course of cognitive impairment after the occurrence of a CIS. In order to characterise the early evolution of cognitive impairment, the authors assessed during a 5-year follow-up period a group of 24 CIS patients with high risk of developing MS. Longitudinal neuropsychological assessment was performed at two time points (baseline and year 5) in patients and controls (baseline and year 1). At year 5, 54% of patients showed cognitive impairment against 29% at baseline. Multiple regression models showed that patients with a higher T(2) lesion load at baseline had a higher cognitive impairment at year 5. This longitudinal study performed in CIS patients showed that the frequency of cognitive impairment increases dramatically during the first 5 years following a CIS and that the cognitive status at year 5 was predictable by conventional MRI parameters recorded at baseline.

Individual voxel-based analysis of brain magnetization transfer maps shows great variability of gray matter injury in the first stage of multiple sclerosis.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), it seems likely that the variability of the long-term disability might be partly due to the variability of the early gray matter (GM) injury. In the present study, we assessed the variability of GM injury in early MS, using a method designed to determine individual pathological GM patterns. Eighteen patients presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome and 24 healthy matched control subjects were included in this study. Patients were explored using a 1.5 Tesla MR scanner (Magnetom Vision Plus; Siemens). Brain MR protocol included magnetization transfer ratio imaging (MTR). Statistical mapping analyses were performed to compare each subject's GM MTR maps with those of the whole group of control subjects (SPM5). The statistical threshold was taken to be the maximum P value showing no significant cluster when any control individual was compared with the whole control population. GM abnormalities were observed in 83% of the patients, ranging in size from 0.3 to 125 cm(3). Among the patients with GM abnormalities, 87% had abnormalities located in the temporal cortex, 80% in the frontal cortex, 80% in the limbic cortex, 73% in the posterior fossa, 53% in the deep GM, 47% in the parietal cortex, and 47% in the occipital cortex. Individual statistical mapping of MTR data, which gives a quantitative assessment of individual GM lesions, demonstrates great variability of grey matter injury in the first stage of multiple sclerosis.

Atrophy mainly affects the limbic system and the deep grey matter at the first stage of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The existence of grey matter (GM) atrophy right after the first clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains controversial. The aim of this study was therefore to establish whether regional GM atrophy is already present in the earliest stage of MS assessing regional GM atrophy in a large group of patients. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) were examined on a 1.5 T MR imager within 6 months after their first clinical events. A group of 37 matched healthy control subjects were also included in the study. An optimised voxel-based morphometry (VBM) method customised for MS was applied on volumetric T(1)-weighted images. The functional status of patients was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Brief Repeatable Battery. RESULTS: VBM analysis (p<0.005, familywise error corrected) on patients versus control subjects showed the presence of significant focal GM atrophy in patients involving the bilateral insula, the bilateral orbitofrontal cortices, the bilateral internal and inferior temporal regions, the posterior cingulate cortex, the bilateral thalami, the bilateral caudate nuclei, the bilateral lenticular nuclei and the bilateral cerebellum. EDSS was slightly correlated (rho=-0.37 p=0.0027) with the atrophy of the right cerebellum. No correlations have been evidenced between the cognitive status of patients and the regional GM atrophy. CONCLUSION: The present study performed on a large group of CIS patients demonstrated that regional GM atrophy is present right after the first clinical event of multiple sclerosis and mainly affects the deep GM and the limbic system.

Unfolding the long-term pathophysiological processes following an acute inflammatory demyelinating lesion of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute symptomatic inflammation is a main feature of multiple sclerosis but pathophysiological processes underlying total or partial recovery are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To characterize in vivo these processes at molecular, structural and functional levels using multimodal MR methods. METHODS: A neuroimaging 3-year follow-up (Weeks 0, 3, 11, 29, 59 and 169) was conducted on a 41-year-old woman presenting at baseline with a large acute demyelinating lesion of multiple sclerosis. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetization transfer imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, functional MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy were conducted at 1.5 T. RESULTS: Patient presenting with subacute left hemiplegia recovered progressively (expended disability status scale 7 to 5.5). The MR exploration demonstrated structural functional and metabolic impairments at baseline. Despite restoration of the blood brain barrier integrity, high lactate levels persisted for several weeks concomitant with glial activation. Slow and progressive structural and metabolic restorations occurred from baseline to W169 (lesion volume -64%; apparent diffusion coefficient -14.7%, magnetization transfer ratio +14%, choline -51%, lipids -78%, N-acetylaspartate +77%) while functionality of the motor system recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal MRI/MRS evidenced long-term dynamics recovery processes involving tissue repair, glial activation, recovery of neuronal function and functional systems. This may impact on customized rehabilitation strategies generally focused on the first months following the onset of symptoms.