Early red nucleus atrophy in relapse-onset multiple sclerosis.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neurology
• Neurodegeneration

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology often affects the cerebellum and its connections, yet red nucleus (RN) atrophy remains understudied.
• Investigating RN atrophy in early MS is crucial for understanding disease progression and its impact on neurological function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore red nucleus (RN) atrophy in early relapse-onset MS (RMS).
• To assess the association between RN atrophy, cerebellar damage (lesions and atrophy), and physical disability in RMS patients.

Main Methods:

• 3-Tesla MRI scans were used to analyze cerebellar and RN lesions and volumes in 37 RMS patients and 36 healthy controls (HC).
• Statistical analyses correlated RN volumes with cerebellar white matter lesion volume (WMLV), cortical thickness, and other brainstem WMLV.

Main Results:

• Patients with early RMS showed significant atrophy in both right and left RN compared to HC.
• Cerebellar white matter lesion volume (WMLV) was inversely correlated with RN volumes.
• RN atrophy was associated with cerebellar and midbrain white matter lesions, suggesting a link via anterograde axonal degeneration.

Conclusions:

• Red nucleus (RN) atrophy is present in the early stages of relapse-onset multiple sclerosis (RMS).
• RN atrophy is associated with cerebellar and midbrain white matter lesions.
• RN atrophy may represent a valuable biomarker for neurodegeneration and cerebellar damage in RMS.