Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026
Rat Model of Widespread Cerebral Cortical Demyelination Induced by an Intracerebral Injection of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
Published on: September 21, 2021
Gray matter atrophy cannot be fully explained by white matter damage in patients with MS
Jian Zhang1, Antonio Giorgio1, Claudia Vinciguerra1
1Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Background:
Source-based morphometry (SBM) was recently used for non-random "patterns" of gray matter (GM) atrophy or white matter (WM) microstructural damage.
Objective:
To assess whether and to what extent such patterns may be inter-related in MS.
Methods:
SBM was applied to images of GM concentration and fractional anisotropy (FA) in MS patients (n = 41, median EDSS = 1) and normal controls (NC, n = 28). The same procedure was repeated on an independent and similar data set (39 MS patients and 13 NC).
Results:
We found in MS patterns of GM atrophy and reduced FA (p < 0.05, corrected). Deep GM atrophy was mostly (70%) explained by lesion load in projection tracts and lower FA in posterior corona radiata and thalamic radiation. By contrast, sensorimotor and posterior cortex atrophy was less (50%) dependent from WM damage. All patterns correlated with EDSS (r from -0.33 to -0.56, p < 0.03) while the only cognition-related correlation was between posterior GM atrophy pattern and processing speed (r = 0.45, p = 0.014). Reliability analysis showed similar results.
Conclusion:
In relatively early MS, we found a close link between deep GM atrophy pattern and WM damage while sensorimotor and posterior cortex patterns were partially independent from WM damage and perhaps related to primary mechanisms. Patterns were clinically relevant.
Insights
In multiple sclerosis (MS), gray matter atrophy patterns are linked to white matter (WM) damage, but some cortical atrophy is independent of WM lesions. These patterns correlate with clinical disability and cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Source-based morphometry (SBM) identifies patterns of gray matter (GM) atrophy and white matter (WM) damage.
- Understanding inter-relationships of these patterns in multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inter-relationship between GM atrophy and WM microstructural damage patterns in MS.
- To assess the clinical relevance of these identified patterns.
Main Methods:
- Applied SBM to GM concentration and fractional anisotropy (FA) images in MS patients and controls.
- Validated findings on an independent dataset.
- Correlated atrophy patterns with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and cognitive measures.
Main Results:
- Identified distinct patterns of GM atrophy and reduced FA in MS patients.
- Deep GM atrophy was strongly associated with WM lesion load and FA.
- Sensorimotor and posterior cortex atrophy showed partial independence from WM damage.
- All patterns correlated with EDSS scores; posterior GM atrophy correlated with processing speed.
Conclusions:
- In early MS, deep GM atrophy is closely linked to WM damage, while other cortical patterns may involve primary mechanisms.
- Identified atrophy patterns have clinical relevance, correlating with disability and cognition.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
01:22Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology