Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Effect of immunomodulatory medication on regional gray matter loss in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis--a
Kerstin Bendfeldt1, Hanspeter Egger, Thomas E Nichols
1Medical Image Analysis Centre (MIAC), University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Prevention of global gray matter (GM) volume changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) are an objective in clinical trials, but the effect of immunomodulatory medication on regional GM atrophy progression is unclear. MRIs from 86 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) followed up for 24 months were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry. An analysis of covariance model (cluster threshold, corrected p<0.05) was used to compare GM volumes between baseline and follow-up while stratified by immunomodulatory medication (IM): Interferone INF-beta-1a (n=34), INF-beta-1b (n=16), glatiramer acetate (GA) (n=15), and no-immunomodulatory treatment (n=21). In the INF-beta-1a/1b group (n=50), significant GM volume reductions were observed during follow-up in fronto-temporal, cingulate and cerebellar cortical brain regions, without significant differences between the INF-beta-1a and INF-beta-1b patients. In the GA group and in unmedicated patients, no significant regional GM volume reductions were observed. In contrast to GA, INF-beta-1a/1b treatment was associated with GM volume reductions in hippocampal/parahippocampal and anterior cingulate cortex. This is the first longitudinal study investigating the effects of IMs on GM in RRMS. Results suggest differences in the dynamics of regional GM volume atrophy in differentially treated or untreated RRMS patients.
Insights
Interferon-beta treatments in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients were linked to gray matter (GM) volume reduction in specific brain regions. Glatiramer acetate and no treatment did not show significant regional GM atrophy over 24 months.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Gray matter (GM) volume loss is a key marker in multiple sclerosis (MS) progression.
- The impact of immunomodulatory medications (IMs) on regional GM atrophy in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal effects of different immunomodulatory treatments on regional gray matter volume changes in RRMS patients.
- To compare GM atrophy progression between patients treated with Interferon-beta (IFN-β) subtypes, glatiramer acetate (GA), or no IM therapy.
Main Methods:
- Voxel-based morphometry analysis of MRI scans from 86 RRMS patients over a 24-month follow-up period.
- Stratified analysis of GM volume changes based on treatment groups: IFN-β-1a, IFN-β-1b, GA, and no IM treatment.
- Analysis of covariance model with cluster threshold corrected for multiple comparisons (p<0.05).
Main Results:
- Patients treated with either IFN-β-1a or IFN-β-1b (n=50) exhibited significant GM volume reductions in fronto-temporal, cingulate, and cerebellar cortical regions.
- No significant regional GM volume reductions were observed in patients treated with GA (n=15) or those receiving no IM treatment (n=21).
- IFN-β-1a/1b treatment was associated with GM volume loss in the hippocampal/parahippocampal and anterior cingulate cortex, unlike GA treatment.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first longitudinal evidence of differential effects of IMs on regional GM atrophy in RRMS.
- Interferon-beta therapies are associated with regional gray matter volume reduction, whereas glatiramer acetate and no treatment do not show this effect over 24 months.
- The findings suggest distinct neurodegenerative patterns based on specific immunomodulatory treatments in RRMS patients.
