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Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging with neuropsychological testing in multiple sclerosis
S M Rao1, G J Leo, V M Haughton
1Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Abstract:
Previous research has suggested that cerebral lesions observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of MS patients are clinically "silent." We examined the validity of this assertion by correlating neuropsychological test performance with MRI findings in 53 MS patients. We used a semiautomated quantitation system to measure three MRI variables: total lesion area (TLA), ventricular-brain ratio (VBR), and size of the corpus callosum (SCC). Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that TLA was a robust predictor of cognitive dysfunction, particularly for measures of recent memory, abstract/conceptual reasoning, language, and visuospatial problem solving. SCC predicted test performance on measures on mental processing speed and rapid problem solving, while VBR did not independently predict cognitive test findings. These findings suggest that cerebral lesions in MS produce cognitive dysfunction and that MRI may be a useful predictor of cognitive dysfunction.
Insights
Cerebral lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) are not clinically silent. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, specifically total lesion area, predict cognitive dysfunction in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- Cerebral lesions are common in MS patients.
- Previous research debated whether MS-related brain lesions are clinically silent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical significance of cerebral lesions in MS.
- To correlate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with neuropsychological test performance in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Studied 53 MS patients.
- Utilized a semiautomated quantitation system to measure total lesion area (TLA), ventricular-brain ratio (VBR), and size of the corpus callosum (SCC) on MRI.
- Performed stepwise multiple regression analyses to correlate MRI variables with cognitive test results.
Main Results:
- Total lesion area (TLA) significantly predicted cognitive dysfunction, impacting recent memory, abstract reasoning, language, and visuospatial skills.
- Size of the corpus callosum (SCC) was associated with mental processing speed and rapid problem-solving abilities.
- Ventricular-brain ratio (VBR) did not independently predict cognitive performance.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral lesions in MS are associated with significant cognitive dysfunction.
- MRI metrics, particularly TLA and SCC, can serve as predictors of cognitive impairment in MS.
- These findings challenge the notion of clinically silent lesions in MS.