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Whole brain and grey matter volume of Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis
Tetsuya Akaishi1, Ichiro Nakashima1, Shunji Mugikura2
1Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Abstract:
We evaluated the brain volume and rate of atrophy in 85 Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The mean brain volume was smaller and the rate of atrophy appeared to be more rapid in MS patients than in normal subjects. The brain atrophy seemed to exist from the early stage of MS and was prominent in the grey matter. Patients with progressive MS showed severer atrophy. We show the existence of pathological brain atrophy in Japanese MS patients for the first time, although the rate of atrophy may be much slower than in Caucasian patients.
Insights
This study reveals pathological brain atrophy in Japanese multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, noting it
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Neurodegeneration
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.
- Brain atrophy is a recognized feature of MS, but its characteristics in Japanese populations are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate brain volume and the rate of brain atrophy in Japanese patients with MS.
- To investigate the stage and distribution of brain atrophy in MS.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to assess brain volume.
- Longitudinal analysis was performed to determine the rate of atrophy.
- Comparison was made between MS patients and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Japanese MS patients exhibited smaller mean brain volumes compared to controls.
- A more rapid rate of brain atrophy was observed in MS patients.
- Brain atrophy was evident even in early stages of MS and predominantly affected grey matter.
- Progressive MS cases showed more severe atrophy.
Conclusions:
- Pathological brain atrophy exists in Japanese MS patients, a finding demonstrated for the first time.
- Brain atrophy in Japanese MS patients appears to occur early and affect grey matter significantly.
- While present, the rate of atrophy in this cohort may be slower than in Caucasian MS patients.