Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
09:41
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
11.6K
Grey matter atrophy in patients with benign multiple sclerosis
Marja Niiranen1, Juha Koikkalainen2, Jyrki Lötjönen2
1Neuro Center, Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
Brain and Behavior
|June 29, 2022
Summary
Brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) is linked to disability. This study found thalamic volume effectively differentiates benign MS from aggressive MS, with validated MRI biomarkers for atrophy detection.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Brain atrophy is a key feature in multiple sclerosis (MS) progression and correlates with disease-related disability.
- Understanding volumetric differences between MS subtypes is crucial for prognosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate global and regional grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, WM lesion load, and corpus callosum index (CCI) in benign relapsing-remitting MS (BRRMS) and aggressive relapsing-remitting MS (ARRMS).
- To compare these metrics between treated and untreated BRRMS patients.
- To validate automated MRI quantification tools for assessing brain atrophy in MS.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an automated MRI quantification tool (cNeuro®) to analyze brain structures.
- Compared global and regional GM/WM volumes, WM lesion load, and CCI in BRRMS (n=35) and ARRMS (n=46) cohorts.
- Assessed the impact of disease-modifying treatment (DMT) on these metrics within the BRRMS group.
Main Results:
- Total brain and cerebral WM volumes were significantly larger in BRRMS compared to ARRMS.
- BRRMS patients without DMT showed larger total, subcortical, and deep WM lesion loads.
- Thalamic volumes were significantly larger in BRRMS than ARRMS, serving as a key differentiator. A strong positive correlation was observed between CCI and whole-brain volume in both groups.
Conclusions:
- Thalamic volume is a prominent MRI biomarker for differentiating between BRRMS and ARRMS.
- Automated quantification of CCI is a validated and applicable MRI biomarker for detecting brain atrophy in MS.
- These findings support the use of advanced MRI techniques for objective MS phenotyping and monitoring.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
01:22Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology
The disease process of myasthenia gravis begins at the neuromuscular junction, where antibodies attack key proteins needed for muscle activation. This immune reaction weakens signal transmission, leading to the characteristic muscle fatigue and weakness that define the condition.Immune-Mediated DamageIn most individuals, antibodies target acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on the postsynaptic membrane of muscle cells. By blocking acetylcholine binding, these antibodies prevent the nerve signal...
01:11Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...