Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Thalamo-cortical dysfunction contributes to fatigability in multiple sclerosis patients: A neurophysiological study
Fioravante Capone1, Francesco Motolese2, Mariagrazia Rossi2
1Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 200, 00128, Rome, Italy; NeXT: Neurophysiology and Neuroengineering of Human-Technology Interaction Research Unit, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo, 200, 00128, Rome, Italy.
High-frequency oscillations (HFOs) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients are altered by fatigue, particularly the early component reflecting thalamic axon function. This neurophysiological marker offers insights into MS-related fatigue mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neurophysiology
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Fatigue and fatigability are prevalent in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), with unknown mechanisms.
- The thalamus is implicated in MS-related fatigue.
- High-frequency oscillations (HFOs) measure thalamo-cortical network activity, with early components from thalamic axons and late components from somatosensory cortex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of fatigue-inducing exercise on HFOs.
- To assess changes in strength performance post-exercise in MS patients and healthy controls (HCs).
Main Methods:
- Recruited 15 MS patients and 15 HCs.
- Recorded HFOs from median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials.
- Measured hand muscle strength before and after a fatigue-inducing exercise protocol.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited a reduced early HFO component area and increased late HFO component duration post-exercise compared to HCs.
- Strength performance decreased in both groups but remained lower in MS patients.
- Fatigue significantly altered HFOs in MS patients, especially the early component linked to thalamic axon function.
Conclusions:
- High-frequency oscillations serve as a neurophysiological marker for thalamo-cortical pathway changes in MS.
- Fatiguing tasks significantly modify HFOs in MS patients, indicating compromised thalamic axon function.
