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Brain atrophy as a marker of cognitive impairment in mildly disabling relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

M P Sánchez1, A Nieto, J Barroso

  • 1Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, University of La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain.

European Journal of Neurology
|August 30, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cognitive impairment in mild relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is linked to brain atrophy, not just lesion load. Specifically, increased third ventricle width predicts cognitive decline in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Radiology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) can cause cognitive impairment.
  • Understanding the link between brain changes and cognitive function in early RRMS is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between neuropsychological deficits and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with mildly disabling RRMS.

Main Methods:

  • Compared lesion burden and atrophy measures (e.g., third ventricle width, corpus callosum) using MRI in 52 RRMS patients.
  • Assessed cognitive domains including attention, processing speed, memory, and executive functions via neuropsychological testing.
  • Classified patients as cognitively deteriorated or not by comparing them to 51 healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • Ventricular atrophy was higher in patients with attention/processing speed (APS) or verbal learning impairments.
  • Corpus callosum (CC) atrophy correlated with visual memory (VisM) dysfunction.
  • Third ventricle width was the strongest predictor of global and specific cognitive impairment, even after controlling for age and education.

Conclusions:

  • Atrophic changes, particularly third ventricle width, better explain cognitive impairment in early RRMS than overall lesion load.
  • These findings highlight the importance of measuring brain atrophy in managing cognitive symptoms in RRMS.

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