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Identification of posterior visual pathway lesions and MRI burden in people with Multiple Sclerosis
1From the Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Objectives:
This review systematically identifies posterior visual pathway lesions and MRI burden in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods:
The articles were searched through Web of Science, Medline, and Embase databases on January 2020, for English language articles from 2000 to 2019.
Results:
This review presents summary measures if related to MRI assessment to an overall measure of MS and visual pathway lesions. A total of 44 articles fulfilled all inclusion criteria, covering the period 2000-2019. Different atypical outcomes reveal a low risk for subsequent clinically predefined MS development, specifically in the presence of normal brain MRI. Several impairments related to quality of life have been identified as a result of the effect of retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer.
Conclusion:
The afferent visual system in MS offers unique accessibility and structure-related functions with further understanding offered by electrophysiology, considering vision as a useful framework for examining new multiple sclerosis therapies.
Insights
This review examines visual pathway lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS), finding that while some vision impairments affect quality of life, a normal brain MRI may indicate a lower risk of developing MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Radiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system.
- The visual pathway is frequently affected in MS, impacting neurological function and quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically identify posterior visual pathway lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To assess the relationship between MRI burden and visual pathway involvement in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across Web of Science, Medline, and Embase databases.
- Included English language articles published between 2000 and 2019.
- Analysis focused on MRI findings and their correlation with visual pathway lesions and MS progression.
Main Results:
- 44 articles published between 2000-2019 met the inclusion criteria.
- A normal brain MRI was associated with a lower risk of developing clinically defined MS.
- Retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer impairments were linked to reduced quality of life.
Conclusions:
- The afferent visual system provides accessible insights into MS pathophysiology.
- Electrophysiology aids in understanding structure-function relationships within the visual pathway in MS.
- Vision serves as a valuable metric for evaluating novel MS therapies.
