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Published on: April 14, 2014
Pupillary function in early multiple sclerosis
Jukka Surakka1, Juhani Ruutiainen, Anders Romberg
1Arcada - University of Applied Sciences, Jan-Magnus Janssonin aukio1, 00550 Helsinki, Finland. jukka.surakka@arcada.fi
Summary
Pupillary function is subtly altered in early multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting both sympathetic and parasympathetic responses. These changes are age-dependent and not linked to common MS symptoms like fatigue or bladder issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Autonomic Nervous System
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Autonomic dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an early manifestation of MS.
- Pupillometry offers a non-invasive method to assess autonomic nervous system function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate autonomic pupillary function in patients with early to moderate multiple sclerosis.
- To compare pupillary responses between MS patients and healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between pupillary function, disease severity, and demographic factors like age.
Main Methods:
- Pupillometry was used to measure parasympathetic and sympathetic pupillary functions.
- Key parameters included initial diameter, constriction/redilatation times, and velocities.
- 95 MS patients and 81 healthy controls participated in the study.
Main Results:
- While most MS patients (85-99%) had pupillary function within healthy ranges, significant age-dependent differences were noted.
- Initial diameter and 75% redilatation time differed significantly between MS patients and controls after age adjustment.
- No association was found between pupillary dysfunction and fatigue, visual, or bladder disturbances.
Conclusions:
- Early multiple sclerosis is associated with subtle, age-dependent disturbances in both parasympathetic and sympathetic pupillary functions.
- These pupillary dysfunctions are not severe in the early stages but may indicate underlying neurological changes.
- The age-dependency suggests a potential link to reduced remyelination capacity in the central nervous system.
