Prognostic biomarkers in primary progressive multiple sclerosis: Validating and scrutinizing multimodal evoked...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is a debilitating neurological condition characterized by gradual worsening of disability.
• Accurate prognostic markers are crucial for managing PPMS and predicting disease trajectory.
• Multimodal evoked potentials (mmEP) offer a non-invasive method to assess neurological function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the prognostic value of mmEP in patients with PPMS.
• To identify the most predictive EP modalities for disease progression.
• To correlate EP scores with disability status and predict changes over time.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-nine PPMS patients underwent baseline visual (VEP), somatosensory (SEP), and motor evoked potentials (MEP) testing.
• Quantitative EP scores (qVEP, qSEP, qMEP) were correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
• Linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of EDSS change in pooled data.

Main Results:

• All EP scores, except qVEP, significantly correlated with EDSS at baseline and follow-up.
• Combined EP modalities predicted EDSS change (R²adj: 0.24), outperforming EDSS and age alone.
• Tibial qSEP (R²adj: 0.22) and qMEP (R²adj: 0.26) were the strongest single predictors, with their combination yielding R²adj: 0.32.

Conclusions:

• Quantitative EP scores can predict up to 32% of EDSS change over three years in PPMS.
• Evoked potential modalities reflecting motor and long tract function hold significant prognostic information.
• mmEPs are validated as promising prognostic biomarker candidates for PPMS.