Volumetric brain changes in MOGAD: A cross-sectional and longitudinal comparative analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Neuroimaging
• Neurology

Background:

• Limited understanding of brain volume changes in MOGAD compared to MS, NMOSD, and healthy controls (HC).
• Investigating neuroinflammatory conditions requires detailed volumetric analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare global and regional brain volumes in MOGAD, MS, NMOSD, and HC.
• To assess cross-sectional and longitudinal volumetric changes in these patient groups.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of adult MOGAD, NMOSD, MS patients, and HC with brain MRI.
• Volumetric analysis using FDA-approved icobrain software, adjusted for age and sex.

Main Results:

• Reduced whole brain (WB) volume observed in MOGAD, NMOSD, and MS compared to HC.
• Longitudinal analysis revealed WB and cortical gray matter (CGM) volume reduction in all disease groups.
• MOGAD patients showed greater thalamic and hippocampal volume loss compared to MS and NMOSD.

Conclusions:

• WB volume loss is characteristic of MOGAD, NMOSD, and MS relative to HC.
• MOGAD demonstrates a higher rate of thalamic and hippocampal atrophy longitudinally compared to MS and NMOSD.
• Further research is needed to confirm findings and explore clinical relevance.