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Predicting conversion to multiple sclerosis by assessing cognitive impairment in radiologically isolated syndrome
Ángela Domingo-Santos1, Andrés Labiano-Fontcuberta2, Yolanda Aladro-Benito3
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Av. de Córdoba, s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain; Foundation for Biomedical Research of "Hospital 12 de Octubre" (FIBH12O), Av. de Córdoba, s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain.
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
|January 24, 2021
Summary
Cognitive impairment (CI) in radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is linked to reduced brain volumes. Patients with CI show a higher conversion rate to multiple sclerosis (MS), indicating CI may be an independent risk factor.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) affects up to a third of patients with cognitive impairment (CI).
- The link between CI and quantitative MRI measures in RIS is not well-established.
- The prognostic value of CI for conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS) in RIS is unknown.
Discussion:
- The study identified a higher conversion rate to MS in the cognitive impairment subgroup of RIS patients (ci-RIS).
- ci-RIS patients exhibited reduced normalized brain and gray matter volumes compared to healthy controls.
- This suggests CI may serve as an independent risk factor for MS conversion.
Key Insights:
- Cognitive impairment is present in 35.3% of RIS patients studied.
- Reduced brain and gray matter volumes correlate with cognitive impairment in RIS.
- Cognitive impairment in RIS may predict future conversion to multiple sclerosis.
Outlook:
- Further research is needed to confirm CI as an independent predictor of MS conversion in RIS.
- Investigating the underlying mechanisms linking CI, MRI changes, and MS progression in RIS is crucial.
- Longitudinal studies with larger cohorts will enhance understanding of CI's prognostic role in RIS.
