Volumetric Brain Loss Correlates With a Relapsing MOGAD Disease Course

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Neuroimaging
• Demyelinating Diseases

Background:

• Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disorders (MOGAD) are distinct inflammatory CNS demyelinating diseases.
• MOGAD presents with monophasic or relapsing courses, but disease progression data is limited.
• Understanding brain volumetric changes in MOGAD phenotypes is crucial for predicting outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare brain volumetric changes in MOGAD patients versus healthy controls (HCs).
• To investigate differences in brain volume between relapsing and monophasic MOGAD phenotypes.
• To correlate brain volume with clinical disability (EDSS).

Main Methods:

• Acquired brain MRI scans and clinical data from 22 MOGAD patients and 22 HCs.
• Utilized volBrain and MDbrain platforms for volumetric brain analysis.
• Assessed total brain, gray matter, white matter, and deep gray matter volumes.

Main Results:

• MOGAD patients exhibited decreased total brain, gray matter, white matter, and deep gray matter volumes compared to HCs.
• Relapsing MOGAD patients showed significantly reduced total brain, deep gray matter, cerebellum, and hippocampus volumes within the first year.
• A negative correlation was observed between Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and thalamus volume.

Conclusions:

• Brain MRI reveals significant volumetric differences between MOGAD patients and HCs.
• Relapsing MOGAD is associated with decreased gray matter volume, particularly in the cerebrum and hippocampus, within the first year of diagnosis.
• Volumetric changes correlate with disease course and disability in MOGAD.