Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
07:30
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Normal-appearing white matter permeability distinguishes poor cognitive performance in processing speed and working
A Eilaghi1, A Kassner, I Sitartchouk
1Department of Medical Imaging.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|June 1, 2013
Summary
Cognitively impaired patients with secondary-progressive MS show reduced normal-appearing white matter relative recirculation. This finding suggests more advanced disease and impacts processing speed and working memory.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Multiple Sclerosis Research
Background:
- Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) involves decreased inflammation but increased axonal degeneration and cognitive decline.
- Blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity is crucial in MS progression.
- Relative recirculation from dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI is a measure of BBB integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) relative recirculation is reduced in cognitively impaired SPMS patients compared to non-impaired patients.
- To explore the association between NAWM relative recirculation and cognitive function in SPMS.
Main Methods:
- Cognitive performance was assessed using the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function In MS (MACFIMS) test.
- Demographic data, brain parenchymal fraction, and WM lesion fraction were compared between cognitively impaired and non-impaired groups.
- Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions analyzed the association between cognitive test results and NAWM relative recirculation.
Main Results:
- 36 SPMS patients (mean age 55.9 years) were studied.
- NAWM relative recirculation was significantly lower in cognitively impaired patients for the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Controlled Word Association Test, and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test.
- Reduced NAWM relative recirculation persisted for processing speed and working memory tests after adjusting for confounders.
Conclusions:
- Cognitively impaired SPMS patients exhibit significantly reduced NAWM relative recirculation.
- This reduction is localized to deficits in processing speed and working memory.
- NAWM relative recirculation may serve as a biomarker for cognitive impairment in SPMS.
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