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Updated: May 2, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Gray matters in multiple sclerosis: cognitive impairment and structural MRI
Silvia Messina1, Francesco Patti1
1Department G.F. Ingrassia, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease affecting central nervous system (CNS). Although MS is classically considered a white matter (WM) disease, the involvement of gray matter (GM) in the pathogenic process has been confirmed by pathology studies and MRI studies. Impairment of cognitive domains such as memory, mental processing speed, attention, and executive function can occur from the early stage of the disease and tends to worsen over time, despite stable physical symptoms. WM demyelination is moderately correlated with CI, suggesting that probably WM abnormalities alone cannot fully explain the extent of clinical symptoms in MS, including CI. Several MRI techniques have shown the involvement of GM in MS and the association between GM damage, physical disability, and CI. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of CI and GM damage assessed by structural brain MRI.
Insights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves gray matter (GM) damage, impacting cognitive functions like memory and attention. Structural MRI reveals GM damage is linked to cognitive impairment (CI) in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated central nervous system (CNS) disease.
- While traditionally viewed as a white matter (WM) disease, gray matter (GM) involvement is increasingly recognized.
- Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in MS and can progress independently of physical symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cognitive impairment (CI) in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To explore the association between gray matter (GM) damage and CI using structural brain MRI.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing pathology and MRI studies on MS.
- Focus on structural brain MRI techniques to assess GM damage.
- Correlation analysis between GM integrity and cognitive function.
Main Results:
- Gray matter (GM) damage is evident in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Structural MRI confirms GM involvement in MS pathogenesis.
- GM damage is associated with cognitive impairment (CI) and physical disability.
Conclusions:
- Gray matter (GM) damage plays a significant role in cognitive impairment (CI) in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Structural MRI is a valuable tool for assessing GM damage and its impact on cognition in MS.
- Understanding GM involvement is crucial for managing MS-related cognitive deficits.
