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Relevance of brain lesion location to cognition in relapsing multiple sclerosis

Francesca Rossi1, Antonio Giorgio, Marco Battaglini

  • 1Department of Neurological and Behavioral Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.

Plos One
|November 13, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) is linked to white matter (WM) lesion location, particularly in the forceps major and corpus callosum. Damage to these specific WM areas disrupts cognitive function in MS patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Radiology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system.
  • Cognitive impairment is a common symptom in MS, impacting quality of life.
  • Understanding the relationship between brain lesions and cognitive deficits is crucial for MS management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between white matter (WM) lesion distribution and cognitive function in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
  • To identify specific WM regions where lesion frequency correlates with cognitive impairment in RRMS.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized MRI-based T2 lesion probability maps (LPM) in 142 RRMS patients.
  • Categorized patients into cognitively preserved (CP) and cognitively impaired (CI) groups using the Rao Brief Repeatable Battery.
  • Performed voxelwise analyses to correlate lesion frequency with cognitive status, with significance set at p<0.05, cluster-corrected.

Main Results:

  • Out of 142 patients, 106 were CP and 36 were CI.
  • The CI group showed greater total WM lesion volume but lesions were less widespread.
  • Higher lesion frequency in the forceps major and splenium of the corpus callosum was significantly associated with cognitive impairment (p<0.05, corrected).
  • Lower Symbol Digit Modalities Test scores correlated with increased lesion frequency in these specific WM areas.

Conclusions:

  • Cognitive function in MS patients is associated with lesion location in commissural fiber tracts.
  • Damage to specific WM areas, particularly the forceps major and corpus callosum, contributes to cognitive impairment in MS.
  • This suggests a mechanism of functional disconnection between grey matter structures due to WM damage in MS.

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