Association between limbic system lesions and anxiety in persons with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroimaging
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) experience higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to the general population.
• While depression in PwMS is linked to relapses and lesion severity, anxiety remains understudied.
• Identifying limbic system lesions in MS is challenging with standard MRI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between limbic system lesions and psychological symptoms in PwMS.
• To explore the understudied role of anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis.
• To utilize advanced 7T MRI for detailed lesion analysis in the limbic system.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study involving 23 PwMS who completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
• High-resolution 7T MRI scans were acquired using MP2RAGE and DIR-SPACE sequences.
• Analysis focused on quantifying the number of lesions within the limbic system.

Main Results:

• A median of 2.0 limbic system lesions (range 0-7) was observed in the PwMS cohort.
• A significant association was found between the presence of limbic lesions and anxiety symptoms (p=0.035).
• No significant relationship was identified between limbic lesions and depression severity.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary evidence suggests limbic system lesions are associated with anxiety in PwMS.
• This finding highlights a potential neuroanatomical basis for anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis.
• Further research is warranted to confirm and expand upon this association.