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Aboseif A, Amin M, Bena J, Nakamura K, Macaron G, Ontaneda D. Association Between Disease-Modifying Therapy and Information Processing Speed in Multiple Sclerosis. Int J MS Care 2024; 26:91-97. [PMID: 38765300 PMCID: PMC11096850 DOI: 10.7224/1537-2073.2023-010] [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: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Processing speed (PS) is often affected, making it an ideal target for monitoring CI. This study aims to evaluate the association between disease-modifying therapy (DMT) use and intensity and longitudinal changes in Processing Speed Test (PST) scores for individuals with MS. METHODS A retrospective analysis of individual PST scores at a single MS center was conducted. Individuals with 2 or more PST assessments were included. Scores on the PST were compared longitudinally between those who had been on a DMT for 2 or more years and those who had been off a DMT for 2 or more years and between those on high-efficacy DMTs and those on low-/moderate-efficacy DMTs. A linear regression model was approximated to evaluate the rate of cognitive change over time. A propensity score adjustment was conducted using a multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS The cohort was 642 individuals, 539 on DMT and 103 off DMT. Median age and disease duration was 49.7 (IQR 42.4-57.9) and 16.6 years (IQR 9.3-23.0) in the DMT group, and 58.9 (IQR 52.2-65.3) and 20.0 years (IQR 14.1-31.4) in the non-DMT group. Both cohorts were predominantly female (75% DMT, 79.6% non-DMT), with a mean of 4 assessments (IQR 3-5), and an average monitoring duration of 1.9 years (1.2-2.4) in the DMT group, and 1.8 years (1.4-2.4) in the non-DMT group. After adjusting for multiple factors, DMT status and intensity were not found to be significant predictors of longitudinal PST change. CONCLUSIONS Neither DMT status nor intensity was a significant predictor of cognitive processing speed over a period of approximately 2 years. Future prospective studies are needed to further support these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Aboseif
- From the Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Moein Amin
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - James Bena
- From the Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kunio Nakamura
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Gabrielle Macaron
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Neurology, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Daniel Ontaneda
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Sperling SA, Acheson SK, Fox-Fuller J, Colvin MK, Harder L, Cullum CM, Randolph JJ, Carter KR, Espe-Pfeifer P, Lacritz LH, Arnett PA, Gillaspy SR. Tele-Neuropsychology: From Science to Policy to Practice. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2024; 39:227-248. [PMID: 37715508 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this paper is to accelerate the number of randomized experimental studies of the reliability and validity in-home tele-neuropsychological testing (tele-np-t). METHOD We conducted a critical review of the tele-neuropsychology literature. We discuss this research in the context of the United States' public and private healthcare payer systems, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system's telehealth lists, and existing disparities in healthcare access. RESULTS The number of tele-np publications has been stagnant since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are less published experimental studies of tele-neuropsychology (tele-np), and particularly in-home tele-np-t, than other tele-np publications. There is strong foundational evidence of the acceptability, feasibility, and reliability of tele-np-t, but relatively few studies of the reliability and validity of in-home tele-np-t using randomization methodology. CONCLUSIONS More studies of the reliability and validity of in-home tele-np-t using randomization methodology are necessary to support inclusion of tele-np-t codes on the CMS and CPT telehealth lists, and subsequently, the integration and delivery of in-home tele-np-t services across providers and institutions. These actions are needed to maintain equitable reimbursement of in-home tele-np-t services and address the widespread disparities in healthcare access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Sperling
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Joshua Fox-Fuller
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mary K Colvin
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lana Harder
- Children's Health, Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - C Munro Cullum
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John J Randolph
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Randolph Neuropsychology Associates, PLLC, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | | | - Patricia Espe-Pfeifer
- Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Laura H Lacritz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Peter A Arnett
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
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Plotas P, Nanousi V, Kantanis A, Tsiamaki E, Papadopoulos A, Tsapara A, Glyka A, Mani E, Roumelioti F, Strataki G, Fragkou G, Mavreli K, Ziouli N, Trimmis N. Speech deficits in multiple sclerosis: a narrative review of the existing literature. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:252. [PMID: 37488623 PMCID: PMC10364432 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01230-3] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating autoimmune disease. MS patients deal with motor and sensory impairments, visual disabilities, cognitive disorders, and speech and language deficits. The study aimed to record, enhance, update, and delve into our present comprehension of speech deficits observed in patients with MS and the methodology (assessment tools) studies followed. The method used was a search of the literature through the databases for May 2015 until June 2022. The reviewed studies offer insight into speech impairments most exhibited by MS patients. Patients with MS face numerous communication changes concerning the phonation system (changes observed concerning speech rate, long pause duration) and lower volume. Moreover, the articulation system was affected by the lack of muscle synchronization and inaccurate pronunciations, mainly of vowels. Finally, there are changes regarding prosody (MS patients exhibited monotonous speech). Findings indicated that MS patients experience communication changes across various domains. Based on the reviewed studies, we concluded that the speech system of MS patients is impaired to some extent, and the patients face many changes that impact their conversational ability and the production of slower and inaccurate speech. These changes can affect MS patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Plotas
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Nanousi
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Anastasios Kantanis
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Eirini Tsiamaki
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Angelos Papadopoulos
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
| | - Angeliki Tsapara
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Aggeliki Glyka
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Efraimia Mani
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Fay Roumelioti
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Georgia Strataki
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Georgia Fragkou
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Konstantina Mavreli
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Natalia Ziouli
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Trimmis
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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Al-Hawasi A, Lagali N, Fagerholm P, Huang-Link Y. Longitudinal Optical Coherence Tomography Measurement of Retinal Ganglion Cell and Nerve Fiber Layer to Assess Benign Course in Multiple Sclerosis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062240. [PMID: 36983241 PMCID: PMC10054631 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A benign form of multiple sclerosis (BMS) is not easily diagnosed, but changes of the retinal ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) may be sensitive to the disease. The aim of this study was to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to investigate longitudinal changes of GCL-IPL and RNFL in BMS. Eighteen patients with BMS and 22 healthy control (HC) subjects were included, with a mean follow-up period of 32.1 months in BMS and 34.3 months in HC. Mean disease duration in BMS was 23.3 years, with 14 patients left untreated. Unilateral optic neuritis (ON) was found in eight patients. Non-ON eyes showed thinner GCL-IPL layer in the BMS group relative to HC (p < 0.001). The thinning rate of GCL-IPL in non-ON BMS, however, was −0.19 ± 0.15 µm/year vs. 0 ± 0.11 µm/year for HC (p = 0.573, age-adjusted). Thinning rate of RNFL in non-ON BMS was −0.2 ± 0.27 µm/year vs. −0.05 ± 0.3 µm/year for HC (p = 0.454, age adjusted). Conclusions: Thinning rate of the GCL-IPL and RNFL in BMS is similar to the healthy population but differs from the thinning rate in relapsing-remitting MS, presenting a non-invasive OCT-based criterion for assessing a benign course in multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Al-Hawasi
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Correspondence:
| | - Neil Lagali
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Fagerholm
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Yumin Huang-Link
- Division of Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
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Sousa C, Jacques T, Sá MJ, Alves RA. Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis phenotypes: Neuropsychological assessment in a portuguese sample. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2022:1-10. [PMID: 35977707 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2022.2112681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment affects 40-65% of MS patients, encompassing all disease stages and types of clinical courses. This estimation is based on different instruments used and population normative data. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the cognitive function in a hospital-based cohort of Portuguese MS patients, to allow estimating the prevalence of cognitive impairment in different phenotypes. METHODS Three hundred and thirteen patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) underwent neuropsychological assessment with the brief repeatable battery of neuropsychological tests (BRBN-T) and the brief international cognitive assessment for multiple sclerosis (BICAMS). RESULTS Differences were observed in the cognitive impairment profile of different disease phenotypes and of the different disease severity stages. RRMS patients performed better in the cognitive test of the BRBN-T and BICAMS than those with progressive disease phenotypes. Relationships between cognitive impairment and disability and professional status were relevant. Although similarities could be observed in the cognitive profile of the MS phenotypes, with predominant involvement of verbal memory, verbal fluency, and information processing speed, the latter was found to be more frequent as the disease progressed. CONCLUSION This study contributes to improve knowledge about the cognitive profile of the different MS phenotypes and understand the cognitive characteristics of Portuguese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Sousa
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João Porto, EPE, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Psychology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João Porto, EPE, Porto, Portugal
| | - Teresa Jacques
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria José Sá
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João Porto, EPE, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui A Alves
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Niiranen M, Koikkalainen J, Lötjönen J, Selander T, Cajanus A, Hartikainen P, Simula S, Vanninen R, Remes AM. Grey matter atrophy in patients with benign multiple sclerosis. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2679. [PMID: 35765699 PMCID: PMC9304852 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2679] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain atrophy appears during the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) and is associated with the disability caused by the disease. METHODS We investigated global and regional grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, WM lesion load, and corpus callosum index (CCI), in benign relapsing-remitting MS (BRRMS, n = 35) with and without any treatment and compared those to aggressive relapsing-remitting MS (ARRMS, n = 46). Structures were analyzed by using an automated MRI quantification tool (cNeuro®). RESULTS The total brain and cerebral WM volumes were larger in BRRMS than in ARRMS (p = .014, p = .017 respectively). In BRRMS, total brain volumes, regional GM volumes, and CCI were found similar whether or not disease-modifying treatment (DMT) was used. The total (p = .033), as well as subcortical (p = .046) and deep WM (p = .041) lesion load volumes were larger in BRRMS patients without DMT. Cortical GM volumes did not differ between BRRMS and ARRMS, but the volumes of total brain tissue (p = .014) and thalami (p = .003) were larger in patients with BRRMS compared to ARRMS. A positive correlation was found between CCI and whole-brain volume in both BRRMS (r = .73, p < .001) and ARRMS (r = .80, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS Thalamic volume is the most prominent measure to differentiate BRRMS and ARRMS. Validation of automated quantification of CCI provides an additional applicable MRI biomarker to detect brain atrophy in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marja Niiranen
- Neuro Center, Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | | | - Tuomas Selander
- Science Service Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Antti Cajanus
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Päivi Hartikainen
- Neuro Center, Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sakari Simula
- Department of Neurology, Mikkeli Central Hospital, Mikkeli, Finland
| | - Ritva Vanninen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Radiology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Radiology, Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne M Remes
- Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
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7
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Maarouf A, Audoin B, Gherib S, El Mendili MM, Viout P, Pariollaud F, Boutière C, Rico A, Guye M, Ranjeva JP, Zaaraoui W, Pelletier J. Grey-matter sodium concentration as an individual marker of multiple sclerosis severity. Mult Scler 2022; 28:1903-1912. [PMID: 35723278 DOI: 10.1177/13524585221102587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Quantification of brain injury in patients with variable disability despite similar disease duration may be relevant to identify the mechanisms underlying disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to compare grey-matter sodium abnormalities (GMSAs), a parameter reflecting neuronal and astrocyte dysfunction, in MS patients with benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) and non-benign multiple sclerosis (NBMS). METHODS We identified never-treated BMS patients in our local MS database of 1352 patients. A group with NBMS was identified with same disease duration. All participants underwent 23Na magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The existence of GMSA was detected by statistical analysis. RESULTS In total, 102 individuals were included (21 BMS, 25 NBMS and 56 controls). GMSA was detected in 10 BMS and 19 NBMS (11/16 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and 8/9 secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) patients) (p = 0.05). On logistic regression including the presence or absence of GMSA, thalamic volume, cortical grey-matter volume and T2-weighted lesion load, thalamic volume was independently associated with BMS status (odds ratio (OR) = 0.64 for each unit). Nonetheless, the absence of GMSA was independently associated when excluding patients with significant cognitive alteration (n = 7) from the BMS group (OR = 4.6). CONCLUSION Detection of GMSA in individuals and thalamic volume are promising to differentiate BMS from NBMS as compared with cortical or whole grey-matter atrophy and T2-weighted lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil Maarouf
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France/APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, Service de Neurologie, Marseille, France
| | - Bertrand Audoin
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France/APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, Service de Neurologie, Marseille, France
| | - Soraya Gherib
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France
| | | | - Patrick Viout
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France
| | | | - Clémence Boutière
- APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, Service de Neurologie, Marseille, France
| | - Audrey Rico
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France/APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, Service de Neurologie, Marseille, France
| | - Maxime Guye
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France/APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | | | - Wafaa Zaaraoui
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France
| | - Jean Pelletier
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, CRMBM, Marseille, France/APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, Service de Neurologie, Marseille, France
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Significance of the Diagnosis of Executive Functions in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910527. [PMID: 34639827 PMCID: PMC8507634 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive chronic disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Cognitive decline occurs rather rarely in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) compared to other types. The present study aimed to assess executive functions (EF) in relation to clinical and demographic variables in patients with RRMS. The study involved 22 individuals with RRMS (aged 23 to 49 years) and 22 matching controls. All the individuals with RRMS were in the remission phase. The assessments were carried out using MoCA, BDI-II, Halstead Category Test, Porteus Maze Test, verbal fluency tasks and Stroop Colour-Word Interference Test. The findings show that the two groups differed significantly in all the tests. All patients with RRMS in the remission phase presented at least one cognitive deficit, observed in general cognitive functioning, abstract reasoning or other executive functions, i.e., fluency, interference suppression, planning, or ability to modify activity in response to feedback. The deficits in most cases (except for those measured with the MoCA, Category Tests and phonemic fluency), are not related to intensity of depression and duration of the disease. Findings suggest that the diagnostic process in the case of patients with RRMS may include psychological assessment focusing on potentially existing cognitive, mainly executive, deficits and their severity.
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9
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Niiranen M, Kontkanen A, Jääskeläinen O, Tertsunen HM, Selander T, Hartikainen P, Huber N, Solje E, Haapasalo A, Kokkola T, Lohioja T, Herukka SK, Simula S, Remes AM. Serum GFAP and NfL levels in benign relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021; 56:103280. [PMID: 34627002 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels as potential discriminative biomarkers between benign relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (BRRMS) and aggressive relapsing-remitting MS (ARRMS). METHODS Serum GFAP and NfL levels were analyzed in patients with BRRMS (n = 34), ARRMS (n = 29), and healthy controls (n = 14) by using Single Molecule Array (Simoa). Patients with ARRMS had been treated with highly effective disease-modifying treatments (DMT) (fingolimod or natalizumab). RESULTS Serum GFAP levels in both BRRMS (median 210.19 pg/ml, IQR 163.69-287.19) and in ARRMS (median 188.60 pg/ml, IQR39.23-244.93) were significantly higher (p = 0.035 and p = 0.034, respectively) compared to healthy controls (median 117.93 pg/ml, IQR 60.28-183.83). Serum GFAP levels did not differ between BRRMS and ARRMS. There were no statistical differences in NfL levels between BRRMS, ARRMS and healthy controls. GFAP level was significantly higher (p = 0.04) in BRRMS without DMT (median 216.04 pg/ml, IQR 188.60-274.79) than in those BRRMS patients who had used DMT (median 196.26 pg/ml, IQR 133.33-325.54). CONCLUSIONS We found elevated levels of serum GFAP in both BRRMS and ARRMS compared to healthy controls, reflecting astrocytic activation. Serum NfL did not differ between BRRMS and ARRMS, probably due to the stable inflammatory phase of the disease and effective DMT use in ARRMS. Single serum NfL and GFAP measurements cannot separate a patient with BRRMS from effectively treated ARRMS after a long history of the disease, thus consecutive samples are needed in the follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marja Niiranen
- Neuro Center, Neurology Outpatient Clinic, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. BOX 100, Kuopio FI-70029, Finland.
| | - Aleksi Kontkanen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olli Jääskeläinen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hanna-Mari Tertsunen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tuomas Selander
- Science Service Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Päivi Hartikainen
- Neuro Center, Neurology Outpatient Clinic, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. BOX 100, Kuopio FI-70029, Finland
| | - Nadine Huber
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eino Solje
- Neuro Center, Neurology Outpatient Clinic, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. BOX 100, Kuopio FI-70029, Finland; Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Annakaisa Haapasalo
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tarja Kokkola
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tarja Lohioja
- Neuro Center, Neurology Outpatient Clinic, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. BOX 100, Kuopio FI-70029, Finland
| | - Sanna-Kaisa Herukka
- Neuro Center, Neurology Outpatient Clinic, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. BOX 100, Kuopio FI-70029, Finland; Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sakari Simula
- Department of Neurology, Mikkeli Central Hospital, Mikkeli, Finland
| | - Anne M Remes
- Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
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Sousa C, Rigueiro-Neves M, Passos AM, Ferreira A, Sá MJ. Assessment of cognitive functions in patients with multiple sclerosis applying the normative values of the Rao's brief repeatable battery in the Portuguese population. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:170. [PMID: 33882847 PMCID: PMC8059237 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02193-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRBN-T) is one of the most sensitive and used measures for detecting cognitive impairment in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Objective The aim of this study was to adapt and validate this battery to the Portuguese population of MS patients. Methods The Portuguese version of the BRBN-T was applied to a stratified control national sample of 326 individuals considering sex, age, educational level and geographic location and also a clinical sample of 115 MS patients from several national hospitals. Through the exploration of its psychometrics properties, the Portuguese BRBN-T norms were produced. Results The normative data is presented as a regression-based formula to adjust test scores for gender, education and age, and the results reveal the BRBN-T has the ability to differentiate between MS patients and healthy participant’s cognitive performance. Conclusion This study demonstrated in our clinical population a good ability to detect cognitive impairment. Its clearly contributed to reinforcing the neuropsychological assessment in Portugal in patients with MS, by providing a new set of instruments, which can be used in the clinical practice, and in future studies. Moreover, it will allow a rigorous and precise support in relation to neuropsychological assessment for future longitudinal studies and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sousa
- MS Clinic, Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, Portugal. .,Neuropsychological Unit, Department of Psychology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200 - 319, Porto, Portugal.
| | | | | | - Aristides Ferreira
- BRU-IUL, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria José Sá
- MS Clinic, Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal
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11
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Motyl J, Friedova L, Vaneckova M, Krasensky J, Lorincz B, Blahova Dusankova J, Andelova M, Fuchs TA, Kubala Havrdova E, Benedict RHB, Horakova D, Uher T. Isolated Cognitive Decline in Neurologically Stable Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11030464. [PMID: 33800075 PMCID: PMC7999620 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11030464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Cognitive deterioration is an important marker of disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). It is vital to detect cognitive decline as soon as possible. Cognitive deterioration can take the form of isolated cognitive decline (ICD) with no other clinical signs of disease progression present. (2) Methods: We investigated 1091 MS patients from the longitudinal GQ (Grant Quantitative) study, assessing their radiological, neurological, and neuropsychological data. Additionally, the confirmatory analysis was conducted. Clinical disease activity was defined as the presence of new relapse or disability worsening. MRI activity was defined as the presence of new or enlarged T2 lesions on brain MRI. (3) Results: Overall, 6.4% of patients experienced cognitive decline and 4.0% experienced ICD without corresponding clinical activity. The vast majority of cognitively worsening patients showed concomitant progression in other neurological and radiologic measures. There were no differences in disease severity between completely stable patients and cognitively worsening patients but with normal cognition at baseline. (4) Conclusions: Only a small proportion of MS patients experience ICD over short-term follow-up. Patients with severe MS are more prone to cognitive decline; however, patients with normal cognitive performance and mild MS might benefit from the early detection of cognitive decline the most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Motyl
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Charles University in Prague, 128 21 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.M.); (L.F.); (B.L.); (J.B.D.); (M.A.); (E.K.H.); (D.H.)
| | - Lucie Friedova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Charles University in Prague, 128 21 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.M.); (L.F.); (B.L.); (J.B.D.); (M.A.); (E.K.H.); (D.H.)
| | - Manuela Vaneckova
- Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague, Charles University in Prague, 128 08 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.V.); (J.K.)
| | - Jan Krasensky
- Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague, Charles University in Prague, 128 08 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.V.); (J.K.)
| | - Balazs Lorincz
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Charles University in Prague, 128 21 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.M.); (L.F.); (B.L.); (J.B.D.); (M.A.); (E.K.H.); (D.H.)
| | - Jana Blahova Dusankova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Charles University in Prague, 128 21 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.M.); (L.F.); (B.L.); (J.B.D.); (M.A.); (E.K.H.); (D.H.)
| | - Michaela Andelova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Charles University in Prague, 128 21 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.M.); (L.F.); (B.L.); (J.B.D.); (M.A.); (E.K.H.); (D.H.)
| | - Tom A. Fuchs
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.A.F.); (R.H.B.B.)
| | - Eva Kubala Havrdova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Charles University in Prague, 128 21 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.M.); (L.F.); (B.L.); (J.B.D.); (M.A.); (E.K.H.); (D.H.)
| | - Ralph H. B. Benedict
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (T.A.F.); (R.H.B.B.)
| | - Dana Horakova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Charles University in Prague, 128 21 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.M.); (L.F.); (B.L.); (J.B.D.); (M.A.); (E.K.H.); (D.H.)
| | - Tomas Uher
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Charles University in Prague, 128 21 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.M.); (L.F.); (B.L.); (J.B.D.); (M.A.); (E.K.H.); (D.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-224-966-515
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12
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Doskas T, Vavougios GD, Karampetsou P, Kormas C, Synadinakis E, Stavrogianni K, Sionidou P, Serdari A, Vorvolakos T, Iliopoulos I, Vadikolias Κ. Neurocognitive impairment and social cognition in multiple sclerosis. Int J Neurosci 2021; 132:1229-1244. [PMID: 33527857 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2021.1879066] [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: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE/AIM OF THE STUDY The impairment of neurocognitive functions occurs in all subtypes of multiple sclerosis, even from the earliest stages of the disease. Commonly reported manifestations of cognitive impairment include deficits in attention, conceptual reasoning, processing efficiency, information processing speed, memory (episodic and working), verbal fluency (language), and executive functions. Multiple sclerosis patients also suffer from social cognition impairment, which affects their social functioning. The objective of the current paper is to assess the effect of neurocognitive impairment and its potential correlation with social cognition performance and impairment in multiple sclerosis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS An overview of the available-to-date literature on neurocognitive impairment and social cognition performance in multiple sclerosis patients by disease subtype was performed. RESULTS It is not clear if social cognition impairment occurs independently or secondarily to neurocognitive impairment. There are associations of variable strengths between neurocognitive and social cognition deficits and their neural basis is increasingly investigated. CONCLUSIONS The prompt detection of neurocognitive predictors of social cognition impairment that may be applicable to all multiple sclerosis subtypes and intervention are crucial to prevent further neural and social cognition decline in multiple sclerosis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Triantafyllos Doskas
- Department of Neurology, Athens Naval Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Aspasia Serdari
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Theofanis Vorvolakos
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioannis Iliopoulos
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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13
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Benedict RHB, Amato MP, DeLuca J, Geurts JJG. Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: clinical management, MRI, and therapeutic avenues. Lancet Neurol 2020; 19:860-871. [PMID: 32949546 PMCID: PMC10011205 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(20)30277-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, demyelinating disease of the CNS. Cognitive impairment is a sometimes neglected, yet common, sign and symptom with a profound effect on instrumental activities of daily living. The prevalence of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis varies across the lifespan and might be difficult to distinguish from other causes in older age. MRI studies show that widespread changes to brain networks contribute to cognitive dysfunction, and grey matter atrophy is an early sign of potential future cognitive decline. Neuropsychological research suggests that cognitive processing speed and episodic memory are the most frequently affected cognitive domains. Narrowing evaluation to these core areas permits brief, routine assessment in the clinical setting. Owing to its brevity, reliability, and sensitivity, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, or its computer-based analogues, can be used to monitor episodes of acute disease activity. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test can also be used in clinical trials, and data increasingly show that cognitive processing speed and memory are amenable to cognitive training interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph H B Benedict
- Department of Neurology and Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Maria Pia Amato
- Department of Neurology, University of Florence, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Jeroen J G Geurts
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Section Clinical Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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14
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Cognitive impairment in benign multiple sclerosis: a multiparametric structural and functional MRI study. J Neurol 2020; 267:3508-3517. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10025-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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15
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Mattioli F, Bellomi F, Stampatori C, Mariotto S, Ferrari S, Monaco S, Mancinelli C, Capra R. Longitudinal serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) concentration relates to cognitive function in multiple sclerosis patients. J Neurol 2020; 267:2245-2251. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-09832-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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16
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Abou Elmaaty AA, Flifel ME, Zarad CA. Correlation between brain magnetic resonance imaging, cognitive dysfunction and physical dysability in multiple sclerosis. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROSURGERY 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s41983-019-0100-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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17
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Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this critical review was to evaluate the current state of research regarding the incremental value of neuropsychological assessment in clinical practice, above and beyond what can be accounted for on the basis of demographic, medical, and other diagnostic variables. The focus was on neurological and other medical conditions across the lifespan where there is known risk for presence or future development of cognitive impairment.Method: Eligible investigations were group studies that had been published after 01/01/2000 in English in peer-reviewed journals and that had used standardized neuropsychological measures and reported on objective outcome criterion variables. They were identified through PubMed and PsychInfo electronic databases on the basis of predefined specific selection criteria. Reference lists of identified articles were also reviewed to identify potential additional sources. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group's (GRADE) criteria were used to evaluate quality of studies.Results: Fifty-six studies met the final selection criteria, including 2 randomized-controlled trials, 9 prospective cohort studies, 12 retrospective cohort studies, 21 inception cohort studies, 2 case control studies, and 10 case series studies. The preponderance of the evidence was strongly supportive with regard to the incremental value of neuropsychological assessment in the care of persons with mild cognitive impairment/dementia and traumatic brain injury. Evidence was moderately supportive with regard to stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Participation in neuropsychological evaluations was also associated with cost savings.Conclusions: Neuropsychological assessment can improve both diagnostic classification and prediction of long-term daily-life outcomes in patients across the lifespan. Future high-quality prospective cohort studies and randomized-controlled trials are necessary to demonstrate more definitively the incremental value of neuropsychological assessment in the management of patients with various neurological and other medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus Donders
- Department of Psychology, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
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18
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Schaefer LM, Poettgen J, Fischer A, Gold S, Stellmann JP, Heesen C. Impairment and restrictions in possibly benign multiple sclerosis. Brain Behav 2019; 9:e01259. [PMID: 30884218 PMCID: PMC6456783 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to describe a broad range of health dimensions in possibly benign multiple sclerosis (MS) hypothesizing that despite some limitations there is a high adaptation to the disease. METHODS All patients from an outpatient university clinic data registry with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤3.5 and disease duration ≥15 years were addressed in a cross-sectional study. Physical impairment, neuropsychological functioning but also influence on activities and patient reported outcome measures including coping were studied. RESULTS One hundred and twenty-five patients could be included (mean EDSS: 2.8; mean disease duration: 24 years). Cognitive impairment was minor (8%) but fatigue (73%) and depression (46%) were prevalent. Nevertheless, QOL and daily activities seemed to be less affected. Patients showed high social support, coping abilities, and sense of coherence, which was predictive for their perceived benignity of the disease. Based on the EDSS alone, we estimated the rate of benign MS after 15 years of MS as high as 23% decreasing to 16% if cognition was included in the definition. However, cognitive performance was not relevantly associated with other outcomes. CONCLUSION Common benign MS definitions seem to simplify a complex disease picture where different impairments and personal resources lead to more or less impact on people's lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Melanie Schaefer
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jana Poettgen
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anja Fischer
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Stefan Gold
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan-Patrick Stellmann
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Heesen
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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19
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Amato MP, Prestipino E, Bellinvia A. Identifying risk factors for cognitive issues in multiple sclerosis. Expert Rev Neurother 2019; 19:333-347. [PMID: 30829076 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2019.1590199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cognitive impairment (CI) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has progressively regained clinical and research interest and is currently recognized as a debilitating and burdensome problem for these patients. Studying risk and protecting factors that may influence the development and course of CI is currently an area of increasing interest, due to the potential for preventive strategies. Areas covered: In this narrative review the authors briefly addressed the physiopathologic basis, assessment and management of CI in MS and then focused on identifying modifiable and not modifiable risk factors for CI in MS, providing an overview of the current knowledge in the field and indicating avenues for future research. Expert opinion: Improving our understanding of potentially modifiable environmental and lifestyle risk factors or protective factors for CI is important in order to prompt preventive strategies and orient patient counselling and clinical management. To this aim, we need to enhance the current level of evidence linking lifestyle factors to cognition and evaluate some factors that were only preliminary addressed in research. Moreover, we need to explore the role of each factor into the subject cognitive outcome, next to the possible interactions between different environmental factors as well as between environmental and genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pia Amato
- a NEUROFARBA Department, Neuroscience section , University of Florence , Florence , Italy.,b IRCSS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi , Florence , Italy
| | - Elio Prestipino
- a NEUROFARBA Department, Neuroscience section , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | - Angelo Bellinvia
- a NEUROFARBA Department, Neuroscience section , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
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20
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Sormani MP, De Stefano N, Giovannoni G, Langdon D, Piani-Meier D, Haering DA, Kappos L, Tomic D. Learning ability correlates with brain atrophy and disability progression in RRMS. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2019; 90:38-43. [PMID: 30322898 PMCID: PMC6327865 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2018-319129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the prognostic value of practice effect on Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) in multiple sclerosis. METHODS We compared screening (day -14) and baseline (day 0) PASAT scores of 1009 patients from the FTY720 Research Evaluating Effects of Daily Oral therapy in Multiple Sclerosis (FREEDOMS) trial. We grouped patients into high and low learners if their PASAT score change was above or below the median change in their screening PASAT quartile group. We used Wilcoxon test to compare baseline disease characteristics between high and low learners, and multiple regression models to assess the respective impact of learning ability, baseline normalised brain volume and treatment on brain volume loss and 6-month confirmed disability progression over 2 years. RESULTS The mean PASAT score at screening was 45.38, increasing on average by 3.18 from day -14 to day 0. High learners were younger (p=0.003), had lower Expanded Disability Status Scale score (p=0.031), higher brain volume (p<0.001) and lower T2 lesion volume (p=0.009) at baseline. Learning status was not significantly associated with disability progression (HR=0.953, p=0.779), when adjusting for baseline normalised brain volume, screening PASAT score and treatment arm. However, the effect of fingolimod on disability progression was more pronounced in high learners (HR=0.396, p<0.001) than in low learners (HR=0.798, p=0.351; p for interaction=0.05). Brain volume loss at month 24 tended to be higher in low learners (0.17%, p=0.058), after adjusting for the same covariates. CONCLUSIONS Short-term practice effects on PASAT are related to brain volume, disease severity and age and have clinically meaningful prognostic implications. High learners benefited more from fingolimod treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pia Sormani
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicola De Stefano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Dawn Langdon
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK
| | | | | | - Ludwig Kappos
- Neurological Clinic and Polyclinic, Departments of Medicine, Clinical Research, Biomedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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21
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Razzolini L, Portaccio E, Stromillo ML, Goretti B, Niccolai C, Pastò L, Righini I, Prestipino E, Battaglini M, Giorgio A, De Stefano N, Amato MP. The dilemma of benign multiple sclerosis: Can we predict the risk of losing the “benign status”? A 12-year follow-up study. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2018; 26:71-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Kalb R, Beier M, Benedict RH, Charvet L, Costello K, Feinstein A, Gingold J, Goverover Y, Halper J, Harris C, Kostich L, Krupp L, Lathi E, LaRocca N, Thrower B, DeLuca J. Recommendations for cognitive screening and management in multiple sclerosis care. Mult Scler 2018; 24:1665-1680. [PMID: 30303036 PMCID: PMC6238181 DOI: 10.1177/1352458518803785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: To promote understanding of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS), recommend optimal screening, monitoring, and treatment strategies, and address barriers to optimal management. Methods: The National MS Society (“Society”) convened experts in cognitive dysfunction (clinicians, researchers, and lay people with MS) to review the published literature, reach consensus on optimal strategies for screening, monitoring, and treating cognitive changes, and propose strategies to address barriers to optimal care. Recommendations: Based on current evidence, the Society makes the following recommendations, endorsed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the International Multiple Sclerosis Cognition Society:
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalind Kalb
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meghan Beier
- Division of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Leigh Charvet
- Department of Neurology, Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Anthony Feinstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - June Halper
- The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses, Multiple Sclerosis Nurses International Certification Board, Hackensack, NJ, USA
| | - Colleen Harris
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lori Kostich
- The Mandell Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Lauren Krupp
- Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ellen Lathi
- The Elliot Lewis Center for Multiple Sclerosis Care, Wellesley, MA, USA
| | | | - Ben Thrower
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA/Andrew C. Carlos Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - John DeLuca
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Neurology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
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Goodin DS, Reder AT, Traboulsee AL, Li DK, Langdon D, Cutter G, Cook S, O'Donnell T, Kremenchutzky M, Oger J, Koelbach R, Pohl C, Wicklein EM. Predictive validity of NEDA in the 16- and 21-year follow-up from the pivotal trial of interferon beta-1b. Mult Scler 2018; 25:837-847. [PMID: 29761737 DOI: 10.1177/1352458518773511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term follow-up from the randomized trial of interferon beta-1b (IFNB-1b) permitted the assessment of different definitions of no evidence of disease activity (NEDA) for predicting long-term outcome in multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE To examine the predictive validity of different NEDA definitions. METHODS Predictive validity for negative disability outcomes (NDOs) at 16 years and survival at 21 years post-randomization were assessed. NEDA in the first 2 years was defined as follows: clinical NEDA: no relapses or Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression from baseline to Year 2; NEDA-3a: no relapses, no confirmed ⩾1-point EDSS progression, and no new T2-active lesions; NEDA-3b: no relapses, no EDSS progression, and no increase in T2 burden of disease (T2-BOD); and NEDA-4: no relapses, no EDSS progression, and no increase in T2-BOD or atrophy. NDOs were defined as death, need for wheelchair, EDSS ⩾6, or progressive MS. RESULTS A total of 245 and 371 patients were evaluated at 16 and 21 years, respectively. Clinical NEDA predicted NDOs ( p = 0.0029), as did baseline EDSS ( p < 0.0001), baseline T2-BOD ( p < 0.0001), and change in T2-BOD ( p = 0.0033). IFNB-1b treatment ( p = 0.0251), relapse rate in the 2 years before study start ( p = 0.0260), T2-BOD at baseline ( p = 0.0014), and change in T2-BOD ( p = 0.0129) predicted survival at 21 years. CONCLUSION Clinical NEDA predicted long-term disability outcome. By contrast, definitions of NEDA that included on-therapy changes in magnetic resonance imaging variables did not increase the predictive validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas S Goodin
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anthony T Reder
- Department of Neurology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - David Kb Li
- The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dawn Langdon
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Gary Cutter
- Department of Biostatistics, UAB School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Stuart Cook
- Department of Neurosciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Joel Oger
- Department of Neurology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Christoph Pohl
- Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany; University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Pitteri M, Magliozzi R, Bajrami A, Camera V, Calabrese M. Potential neuroprotective effect of Fingolimod in multiple sclerosis and its association with clinical variables. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2018; 19:387-395. [PMID: 29397790 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2018.1434143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system affecting both white matter and grey matter in the earliest phases of its course. The crucial role of neurodegeneration in disability progression in MS, regardless of white matter damage, has been confirmed by several imaging and neuropathological studies. Fingolimod is an effective immunomodulator of the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor, approved in relapsing remitting MS and able to cross the blood-brain barrier and to slow disability progression and brain volume loss. However, it remains unclear whether this neuroprotective action is due to a peripheral anti-inflammatory effect and/or to a direct effect on neuronal cells. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors summarize the published preclinical and clinical studies on the effect of Fingolimod in limiting the focal and diffuse grey matter damage in MS. EXPERT OPINION Fingolimod might have a significant neuroprotective effect on relapsing remitting MS based on its modulatory effect on oligodendroglial cells and astrocytes, and on its direct effect on cortical neurons. Future clinical studies including measures of grey matter damage are required to confirm in vivo such neuroprotective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pitteri
- a Neurology Section, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences , University of Verona , Verona , Italy
| | - Roberta Magliozzi
- a Neurology Section, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences , University of Verona , Verona , Italy.,b Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine , Hammersmith Hospital , London , UK
| | - Albulena Bajrami
- a Neurology Section, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences , University of Verona , Verona , Italy
| | - Valentina Camera
- c Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neurosciences , University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Modena , Italy
| | - Massimiliano Calabrese
- a Neurology Section, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences , University of Verona , Verona , Italy
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Watt S, Crowe SF. Examining the beneficial effect of neuropsychological assessment on adult patient outcomes: a systematic review. Clin Neuropsychol 2017; 32:368-390. [DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2017.1414885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Watt
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Simon F. Crowe
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
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Definition, prevalence and predictive factors of benign multiple sclerosis. eNeurologicalSci 2017; 7:37-43. [PMID: 29260023 PMCID: PMC5721547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by a great inter-individual variability in disease course and severity. Some patients experience a rather mild course, controversially called 'benign MS' (BMS). The usefulness of this entity in clinical practice remains unclear. Methods We performed a literature search in PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases from November 1980 to December 2015, using the following key words: benign multiple sclerosis, diagnosis, imaging, prognosis, predictive, natural history and predefined inclusion criteria. Results Our search yielded 26 publications. Most definitions were based on the Expanded Disease Status Scale (EDSS), which is heavily weighted towards physical disability. Between 30 and 80% of relapsing-remitting MS patients have EDSS < 3 or 4 at 10 years after onset. Having only one relapse in the first 5 years and EDSS ≤ 2 at 5 years or EDSS ≤ 3 at 10 years appears to be predictive for a prolonged benign disease course, without protecting against disease progression at a later stage. Evidence on the predictive value of MRI parameters remains limited. Conclusions Current BMS definitions have some predictive value for future physical disability, but do not take into account the age at EDSS and the potentially disrupting effects of non-EDSS symptoms and cognitive impairment. It appears to correspond to mild RRMS in the first decades and its prevalence varies. Since early and accurate prediction of BMS is not yet possible, the clinical relevance is limited. Research approaches are suggested.
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Can we predict benign multiple sclerosis? Results of a 20-year long-term follow-up study. J Neurol 2017; 264:1068-1075. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-017-8487-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Roar M, Illes Z, Sejbaek T. Practice effect in Symbol Digit Modalities Test in multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2016; 10:116-122. [PMID: 27919477 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2016.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES How practice effect influences cognitive testing measured by monthly Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) during natalizumab treatment, and what factors confound such effect. METHODS Eighty patients were examined monthly with SDMT for 26.2±8.4 months. After 26.0±8.1 months, SDMT was also performed with a rearranged key in 59 cases. Results of SDMTs with the rearranged and previous regular key were compared. We examined if gender, age, Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS), relapses, and disability progression/improvement influence SDMT performed with the regular and the rearranged key, respectively. We also explored if natalizumab applied before regular monthly SDMT may influence practice effect and cognition. RESULTS SDMT performance improved by 1.2 points/test during the first six months and by 0.4 points/test thereafter. Rearranging the symbols of the key after 26.0±8.1 months returned SDMT scores to baseline indicating a practice effect. Such practice effect was more significant after longer testing period, but was not influenced by gender, age, relapses, disability progression and prior natalizumab treatment. Although the change from baseline to 2.5 years was significant in subgroups with EDSS 0-3, 3.5-5.5 and 6-7.5, this was higher in patients with EDSS 0-3 compared to 6-7.5. CONCLUSIONS Practice effect significantly contributes to continuous improvement in SDMT performance during natalizumab treatment: to test cognition, a change in key is required. Practice effect is less pronounced in patients with advanced disease. Cognition remains stable even in patients with progressive disease during more than 2 years of natalizumab treatment indicated by scores corresponding to baseline after changing the key.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malte Roar
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, Odense 5000, Denmark
| | - Zsolt Illes
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, Odense 5000, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
| | - Tobias Sejbaek
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, Odense 5000, Denmark
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Berger T. Immunological processes related to cognitive impairment in MS. Acta Neurol Scand 2016; 134 Suppl 200:34-8. [PMID: 27580904 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In this review, the immune-to-brain communication pathways are briefly summarized, with emphasis on the impact of immune cells and their mediators on learning, memory and other cognitive domains. Further, the acute response of the central nervous system to peripherally generated inflammatory stimuli - termed as sickness behaviour - is described, and the central role of microglia in this immune-to-brain crosstalk in physiological and pathological conditions is highlighted. Finally, the role and consequences of immunological processes related to cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Berger
- Clinical Department of Neurology; Medical University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck Austria
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Pitteri M, Romualdi C, Magliozzi R, Monaco S, Calabrese M. Cognitive impairment predicts disability progression and cortical thinning in MS: An 8-year study. Mult Scler 2016; 23:848-854. [PMID: 27527906 DOI: 10.1177/1352458516665496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Although cognitive impairment (CI) affects a large proportion of MS patients, only few data are available about its prognostic value associated with advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics. OBJECTIVES We aimed at investigating the relationship between the early CI and the disease progression over 8-year follow-up in MS patients. METHODS We conducted a retrospective 8-year longitudinal study involving 78 patients with relapsing-remitting MS, who completed neuropsychological examination and structural MRI at the time of diagnosis. Each patient was clinically evaluated every 6 months, and cortical thickness was quantified at baseline and at the end of the follow-up. Patients were classified as having normal cognition and mild or severe CI. RESULTS The results show that CI at the time of diagnosis is a good predictor of conversion to definite MS ( p < 0.001), disability progression ( p < 0.001), as well as of transition to secondary progressive phase ( p < 0.001) and of cortical thinning ( p < 0.001). CONCLUSION We confirmed and extended the evidence that early CI might be helpful in the identification of MS patients at high risk of disability progression and poor clinical outcome and should be considered as a marker of most aggressive pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pitteri
- Neurology B, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Magliozzi
- Neurology B, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy/Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Salvatore Monaco
- Neurology B, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Calabrese
- Neurology B, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Policlinico "G.B. Rossi" Borgo Roma, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
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What you get from what you see: Parametric assessment of visual processing capacity in multiple sclerosis and its relation to cognitive fatigue. Cortex 2016; 83:167-80. [PMID: 27552137 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2016.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS(1)) is a diffusely disseminated inflammatory disease affecting widespread cerebral networks. Major cognitive impairments are a reduction of processing capacity and mental fatigue, i.e., an "abnormal sense of tiredness or lack of energy". Here, the present study provides the first assessment of the distinct components of visual processing capacity based on a 'theory of visual attention' (TVA(2)) in MS patients and relates it to measures of subjective as well as (more) objective fatigue. The performance of 36 relapsing-remitting MS patients in a whole report task of brief letter arrays was compared to healthy control subjects matched for gender, age and education. Additionally, the sustained attention test PASAT-3(3) served as a measure of objective fatigue, and the self-report questionnaire MFIS(4) as a measure of subjective fatigue. Results indicate generally diminished processing speed as well as iconic memory buffers, and increased perceptual thresholds in MS patients compared to healthy controls. Block-wise analysis of attentional parameters shows that the processing speed performance of MS patients declines in the second half of the TVA-based test compared to healthy controls and in particular for patients with high versus low objective fatigue. These findings describe which aspects of processing capacity are impaired in MS, and show that fatigue mainly affects speed of processing. Thus, TVA-based assessment provides a novel approach in the determination of cognitive impairments and fatigue in MS. However, further research is required to elucidate the complex relations of processing capacity and cognitive functions in MS.
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Hutchinson M. A useful annual review of cognition in relapsing MS is beyond most neurologists - Commentary. Mult Scler 2016; 22:730-2. [PMID: 27048309 DOI: 10.1177/1352458516642624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutchinson
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin and St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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33
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Gajofatto A, Turatti M, Bianchi MR, Forlivesi S, Gobbin F, Azzarà A, Monaco S, Benedetti MD. Benign multiple sclerosis: physical and cognitive impairment follow distinct evolutions. Acta Neurol Scand 2016; 133:183-91. [PMID: 26009804 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) definitions rely on physical disability level but do not account sufficiently for cognitive impairment which, however, is not rare. OBJECTIVE To study the evolution of physical disability and cognitive performance of a group of patients with BMS followed at an University Hospital Multiple Sclerosis Center. METHODS A consecutive sample of 24 BMS cases (diagnosis according to 2005 McDonald's criteria, relapsing-remitting course, disease duration ≥ 10 years, and expanded disability status scale [EDSS] score ≤ 2.0) and 13 sex- and age-matched non-BMS patients differing from BMS cases for having EDSS score 2.5-5.5 were included. Main outcome measures were as follows: (i) baseline and 5-year follow-up cognitive impairment defined as failure of at least two tests of the administered neuropsychological battery; (ii) EDSS score worsening defined as confirmed increase ≥ 1 point (or 0.5 point if baseline EDSS score = 5.5). RESULTS At inclusion, BMS subjects were 41 ± 8 years old and had median EDSS score 1.5 (range 0-2), while non-BMS patients were 46 ± 8 years old and had median EDSS score 3.0 (2.5-5.5). At baseline 16% of patients in both groups were cognitively impaired. After 5 years, EDSS score worsened in 8% of BMS and 46% of non-BMS patients (P = 0.008), while the proportion of cognitively impaired subjects increased to 25% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Patients with BMS had better physical disability outcome at 5 years compared to non-BMS cases. However, cognitive impairment frequency and decline over time appeared similar. Neuropsychological assessment is essential in patients with BMS given the distinct pathways followed by disease progression in cognitive and physical domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Gajofatto
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences; University of Verona; Verona Italy
- UOC Neurologia dU; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata; Verona Italy
| | - M. Turatti
- UO Neurologia; Casa di Cura Privata Pederzoli; Peschiera del Garda Italy
| | - M. R. Bianchi
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences; University of Verona; Verona Italy
- UOC Neurologia dU; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata; Verona Italy
| | - S. Forlivesi
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences; University of Verona; Verona Italy
- UOC Neurologia dU; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata; Verona Italy
| | - F. Gobbin
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences; University of Verona; Verona Italy
- UOC Neurologia dU; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata; Verona Italy
| | - A. Azzarà
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano; Milano Italy
| | - S. Monaco
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences; University of Verona; Verona Italy
- UOC Neurologia dU; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata; Verona Italy
| | - M. D. Benedetti
- UOC Neurologia dU; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata; Verona Italy
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Hutchinson M. Modeling the course and outcomes of MS is statistical twaddle--Commentary. Mult Scler 2016; 22:144-5. [PMID: 26830395 DOI: 10.1177/1352458516628332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutchinson
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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35
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Özakbaş S. Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis: Historical Aspects, Current Status, and Beyond. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2015; 52:S12-S15. [PMID: 28360755 DOI: 10.5152/npa.2015.12610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the cognitive symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) were acknowledged in the 1800s, until the latter part of the 20th century, these symptoms were poorly recognized. Cognitive impairment associated with MS has a profound impact on many aspects of daily life, including employment, academic life, and social functioning. The cognitive reserve can be protected in MS patients to a certain limit, and prevention might be linked to early treatment. The analyses of historical and contemporary data can help researchers gain a clear vision of the direction in which to proceed in the future for better insight into cognitive issues in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Özakbaş
- Department of Neurology, Division of Internal Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
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36
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Papathanasiou A, Messinis L, Zampakis P, Panagiotakis G, Gourzis P, Georgiou V, Papathanasopoulos P. Thalamic atrophy predicts cognitive impairment in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. Effect on instrumental activities of daily living and employment status. J Neurol Sci 2015; 358:236-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Hutchinson M. Multiple sclerosis relapse phenotype is an important, neglected determinant of disease-outcome: Commentary. Mult Scler 2015; 21:1374-5. [DOI: 10.1177/1352458515605668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutchinson
- St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Ireland
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Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been thought to be a complex and indecipherable disease, and poorly understood with regards to aetiology. Here, we suggest an emphatically positive view of progress over several decades in the understanding and treatment of MS, particularly focusing on advances made within the past 20 years. As with virtually all complex disorders, MS is caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, formidable biochemical, bioinformatic, epidemiological and neuroimaging tools have been brought to bear on research into the causes of MS. While susceptibility to the disease is now relatively well accounted for, disease course is not and remains a salient challenge. In the therapeutic realm, numerous agents have become available, reflecting the fact that the disease can be attacked successfully at many levels and using varied strategies. Tailoring therapies to individuals, risk mitigation and selection of first-line as compared with second-line medications remain to be completed. In our view, the MS landscape has been comprehensively and irreversibly transformed by this progress. Here we focus on MS therapeutics-the most meaningful outcome of research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David A Hafler
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, 15 York Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Claudia F Lucchinetti
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Determinants of disability in multiple sclerosis: an immunological and MRI study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:875768. [PMID: 24818159 PMCID: PMC4000958 DOI: 10.1155/2014/875768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by a wide interpatient clinical variability and available biomarkers of disease severity still have suboptimal reliability. We aimed to assess immunological and MRI-derived measures of brain tissue damage in patients with different motor impairment degrees, for in vivo investigating the pathogenesis of MS-related disability. Twenty-two benign (B), 26 secondary progressive (SP), and 11 early, nondisabled relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients and 37 healthy controls (HC) underwent conventional and diffusion tensor brain MRI and, as regards MS patients, immunophenotypic and functional analysis of stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Corticospinal tract (CST) fractional anisotropy and grey matter volume were lower and CST diffusivity was higher in SPMS compared to RRMS and BMS patients. CD14+IL6+ and CD4+IL25+ cell percentages were higher in BMS than in SPMS patients. A multivariable model having EDSS as the dependent variable retained the following independent predictors: grey matter volume, CD14+IL6+ and CD4+IL25+ cell percentages. In patients without motor impairment after long-lasting MS, the grey matter and CST damage degree seem to remain as low as in the earlier disease stages and an immunological pattern suggestive of balanced pro- and anti-inflammatory activity is observed. MRI-derived and immunological measures might be used as complementary biomarkers of MS severity.
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Alexoudi A, Zachaki S, Stavropoulou C, Chatzi I, Koumbi D, Stavropoulou K, Kollia P, Karageorgiou CE, Sambani C. CombinedGSTP1andNQO1germline polymorphisms in the susceptibility to Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Neurosci 2014; 125:32-7. [DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2014.899597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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41
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Hutchinson M. MRI measures should be a primary outcome endpoint in phase III randomised controlled trials in multiple sclerosis: commentary. Mult Scler 2014; 20:284-5. [PMID: 24589687 DOI: 10.1177/1352458514521504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutchinson
- Consultant Neurologist, St Vincent's University Hospital, Newman Clinical Research Professor, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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42
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Gray matters in multiple sclerosis: cognitive impairment and structural MRI. Mult Scler Int 2014; 2014:609694. [PMID: 24587905 PMCID: PMC3920616 DOI: 10.1155/2014/609694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease affecting central nervous system (CNS). Although MS is classically considered a white matter (WM) disease, the involvement of gray matter (GM) in the pathogenic process has been confirmed by pathology studies and MRI studies. Impairment of cognitive domains such as memory, mental processing speed, attention, and executive function can occur from the early stage of the disease and tends to worsen over time, despite stable physical symptoms. WM demyelination is moderately correlated with CI, suggesting that probably WM abnormalities alone cannot fully explain the extent of clinical symptoms in MS, including CI. Several MRI techniques have shown the involvement of GM in MS and the association between GM damage, physical disability, and CI. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of CI and GM damage assessed by structural brain MRI.
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Global N-acetylaspartate concentration in benign and non-benign multiple sclerosis patients of long disease duration. Eur J Radiol 2013; 82:e848-52. [PMID: 24041438 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Revised: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To examine whether clinically benign multiple sclerosis patients (BMS) show similar losses of their global N-acetylaspartate (NAA) neuronal marker relative to more clinically disabled patients of similar disease duration. METHODS The whole-brain NAA concentration (WBNAA) was acquired with whole-head non-localizing proton MR spectroscopy. Fractional brain parenchymal volume (fBPV), T2 and T1 lesion loads, were obtained from the MRI in: (i) 24 BMS patients: 23.1 ± 7.2 years disease duration, median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 2.0 (range: 0-3); (ii) 26 non-benign MS patients (non-BMS), 24.5 ± 7.4 years disease duration, median EDSS of 4.0 (range: 3.5-6.5); (iii) 15 healthy controls. RESULTS Controls' 12.4 ± 2.3mM WBNAA was significantly higher than the BMS's and non-BMS's 10.5 ± 2.4 and 9.9 ± 2.1mM (both p<0.02), but the difference between the patients' groups was not (p>0.4). Likewise, the controls' 81.2 ± 4.5% fBPV exceeded the BMS and non-BMS's 77.0 ± 5.8% and 76.3 ± 8.6% (p<0.03), which were also not different from one another (p>0.7). BMS patients' T1-hypointense lesion load, 2.1 ± 2.2 cm(3), was not significantly different than the non-BMS's 4.1 ± 5.4 cm(3) (p>0.08) and T2-hyperintense loads: 6.0 ± 5.7 cm(3) and 8.7 ± 7.8 cm(3), were also not different (p>0.1). CONCLUSIONS WBNAA differentiates normal controls from MS patients but does not distinguish BMS from more disabled MS patients of similar disease duration. Nevertheless, all MS patients who remain RR for 15+ years suffered WBNAA loss similar to the average RR MS population at fourfold shorter disease duration suggesting relative global neuronal sparing or leveling-off of the neurodegeneration rate.
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Bester M, Lazar M, Petracca M, Babb JS, Herbert J, Grossman RI, Inglese M. Tract-specific white matter correlates of fatigue and cognitive impairment in benign multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2013; 330:61-6. [PMID: 23643443 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) is traditionally defined by the presence of mild motor involvement decades after disease onset, symptoms of fatigue and cognitive impairment are very common. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between micro-structural damage in the anterior thalamic (AT) tracts and in the corpus callosum (CC), as measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography, and fatigue and cognitive deficits. METHODS DTI data were acquired from 26 BMS patients and 24 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. RESULTS General and mental fatigue scores were significantly impaired in patients compared with controls (p≤0.05 for both) and 38% of patients resulted cognitively impaired. Mean diffusivity (MD) of the AT and CC tracts was significantly higher and fractional anisotropy (FA) was lower in patients compared with controls (p<0.001 for all). Fatigue was associated with increased MD (p=0.01) of the AT tracts whereas deficit of executive functions and verbal learning were associated with decreased FA in the body (p=0.004) and genu (p=0.008) of the CC. Deficits in processing speed and attention were associated with the T2 lesion volume of the AT tracts (p<0.01 for all). DISCUSSION These findings suggest that fatigue and cognitive impairment are quite frequent in BMS patients and are, at least in part, related to micro-structural damage and T2LV of WM tracts connecting the brain cortical and sub-cortical regions of the two hemispheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Bester
- Department of Radiology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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Abstract
Although the definition of benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) remains controversial, it is generally applied to a subgroup of MS patients showing little disease progression, with minimal disability decades after disease onset, and is based mainly on changes in motor function. Recent studies, however, reveal that deterioration of cognitive function, fatigue, pain, and depression also occur in BMS patients, causing negative impact on work and social activities, despite complete preservation of motor function. Using conventional MRI techniques, lesion load observed in BMS is similar to levels in other disease subtypes; however, newer quantitative MRI techniques show less tissue damage, as well as greater repair and compensatory efficiency following MS injury. Currently accepted criteria for BMS diagnosis may cause overestimation of true prevalence, underscoring the need for routine monitoring of nonmotor symptoms and imaging studies. Clearly, the definition of BMS currently applied in clinical practice requires reassessment.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Benign multiple sclerosis (MS), traditionally defined as Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤3 and ≥15-year disease duration, is thought to follow a milder clinical course. We determined the extent of visual pathway axonal loss by optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in a benign MS cohort and examined the relation to vision and quality of life (QOL). METHODS In this longitudinal study of vision in MS at 3 academic centers, a subset of patients with EDSS, visual function, OCT, and QOL assessments was analyzed. Low- and high-contrast letter acuity was performed to assess visual function. RNFL thickness was determined using time-domain OCT. QOL scales included the 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) and Short Form-36 Health Survey. RESULTS Among 68 patients (135 eyes) studied longitudinally, 13 (26 eyes) had benign MS using criteria of EDSS score ≤3 and ≥15-year disease duration. Benign MS eyes had as much RNFL thinning (-3.6 μm, P = 0.0008 vs baseline, paired t test) as typical MS eyes (-3.3 μm, P < 0.0001). Both groups had significant low-contrast acuity loss. History of optic neuritis (ON) was more frequent in benign MS (69% vs 33% of eyes). History of ON distinguished benign vs typical MS (P = 0.002) and correlated with RNFL thickness at baseline (P = 0.002) and disease duration (P = 0.03) but not EDSS (P = 0.32, logistic regression). NEI-VFQ-25 scores were also worse for benign MS, accounting for age (75 ± 21 vs 88 ± 11, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION Patients with benign MS have RNFL axonal loss that is as marked as that of typical MS and have reduced vision and QOL. While overall neurologic impairment is mild, visual dysfunction, not well captured by the EDSS, accounts for a substantial degree of disability in benign MS.
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Calabrese M, Favaretto A, Poretto V, Romualdi C, Rinaldi F, Mattisi I, Morra A, Perini P, Gallo P. Low degree of cortical pathology is associated with benign course of multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2012; 19:904-11. [PMID: 23069877 DOI: 10.1177/1352458512463767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although a more favorable course of multiple sclerosis is associated with a low degree of cortical pathology, only longitudinal studies could definitely confirm this association. MATERIALS AND METHODS We followed 95 early relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) = 1.5, mean disease duration = 3.1 ± 1.3 years) and 45 benign MS patients (EDSS ≤ 3.0, disease duration ≥ 15 years, normal cognition) for 6 years, with EDSS evaluations every 6 months and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and then yearly. RESULTS At baseline, we detected 406 cortical lesions (CLs) in 67/95 (70.5%) early RRMS and in 24/45 (53.3%) benign MS patients (p = 0.046). After 6 years, the appearance of new CLs was observed in 80/95 (84.2%; 518 CLs) of our early RRMS and in 25/45 (55.5%; 63 CLs; p < 0.001) benign MS patients. At baseline, after corrections for age and disease duration, we observed a cortical thinning of several frontal and temporal regions in our RRMS study patients, compared to the benign MS patients (p ranging between 0.001-0.05). After 6 years, the cortical thinning had increased significantly in several cortices of RRMS patients, but only in the occipital-temporal (p = 0.036) and superior parietal gyrus (p = 0.035) of those with benign MS. Stepwise regression analysis revealed the CL volume (p = 0.006) and the cortical thickness of the temporal middle (p < 0.001), insular long (p < 0.001), superior frontal (p < 0.001) and middle frontal gyri (p < 0.001) as the most sensitive independent predictors of a favorable disease course. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirmed that a significantly milder cortical pathology characterizes the most favorable clinical course of MS. Measures of focal and diffuse grey matter should be combined to increase the accuracy in the identification of a benign MS course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Calabrese
- The Multiple Sclerosis Centre of the Veneto Region, First Neurology Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Padova, Italy.
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Margaritella N, Mendozzi L, Garegnani M, Nemni R, Colicino E, Gilardi E, Pugnetti L. Exploring the predictive value of the evoked potentials score in MS within an appropriate patient population: a hint for an early identification of benign MS? BMC Neurol 2012; 12:80. [PMID: 22913733 PMCID: PMC3488473 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2377-12-80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prognostic value of evoked potentials (EPs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been fully established. The correlations between the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at First Neurological Evaluation (FNE) and the duration of the disease, as well as between EDSS and EPs, have influenced the outcome of most previous studies. To overcome this confounding relations, we propose to test the prognostic value of EPs within an appropriate patient population which should be based on patients with low EDSS at FNE and short disease duration. METHODS We retrospectively selected a sample of 143 early relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) patients with an EDSS < 3.5 from a larger database spanning 20 years. By means of bivariate logistic regressions, the best predictors of worsening were selected among several demographic and clinical variables. The best multivariate logistic model was statistically validated and prospectively applied to 50 patients examined during 2009-2011. RESULTS The Evoked Potentials score (EP score) and the Time to EDSS 2.0 (TT2) were the best predictors of worsening in our sample (Odds Ratio 1.10 and 0.82 respectively, p=0.001). Low EP score (below 15-20 points), short TT2 (lower than 3-5 years) and their interaction resulted to be the most useful for the identification of worsening patterns. Moreover, in patients with an EP score at FNE below 6 points and a TT2 greater than 3 years the probability of worsening was 10% after 4-5 years and rapidly decreased thereafter. CONCLUSIONS In an appropriate population of early RRMS patients, the EP score at FNE is a good predictor of disability at low values as well as in combination with a rapid buildup of disability. Interestingly, an EP score at FNE under the median together with a clinical stability lasting more than 3 years turned out to be a protective pattern. This finding may contribute to an early identification of benign patients, well before the term required to diagnose Benign MS (BMS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Margaritella
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Scientific Institute (IRCCS) S, Maria Nascente, don C. Gnocchi Foundation, Via Capecelatro 66, Milan, 20148, Italy
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Hutchinson M. The neurologist's dilemma: MS is a grey matter disease that standard clinical and MRI measures cannot assess adequately--commentary. Mult Scler 2012; 18:561-2. [PMID: 22547413 DOI: 10.1177/1352458512443996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutchinson
- St Vincent's University Hospital and University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Skoog B, Runmarker B, Winblad S, Ekholm S, Andersen O. A representative cohort of patients with non-progressive multiple sclerosis at the age of normal life expectancy. Brain 2012; 135:900-11. [DOI: 10.1093/brain/awr336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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