MRI brain volume changes in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon beta-1a

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy in MS.
• Interferon beta-1a is a common disease-modifying therapy for relapsing-remitting MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in brain volume using MRI in relapsing-remitting MS patients treated with interferon beta-1a.
• To determine the relationship between brain volume changes and standard MRI or clinical outcome variables.

Main Methods:

• 52 relapsing-remitting MS patients received interferon beta-1a for 24 months after a 6-month pretreatment period.
• Monthly MRI scans were performed during the pretreatment and first 9 months of treatment, with final scans at 12 and 24 months.
• Brain volume, T1 hypointense, T2 hyperintense, and enhancing lesion volumes were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Over 24 months, a significant decrease in brain volume (-2.2%; p<0.0001) and hyperintense lesion volume (-18.0%; p<0.0001) was observed.
• T1 hypointense volume showed a nonsignificant increase (+2.2%).
• Pretreatment enhancing lesion volume significantly predicted 2-year brain volume decrease and was associated with sustained Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) changes.

Conclusions:

• Interferon beta-1a treatment over 2 years resulted in a significant decrease in brain volume in relapsing-remitting MS patients.
• Pretreatment enhancing lesion volume emerged as a key predictor of brain volume reduction and potential sustained disability.
• Brain volume changes did not correlate with T1/T2 lesion volume changes or clinical relapse frequency, but were linked to sustained EDSS changes.