Circulating microRNAs correlate with structural and functional MRI parameters in patients with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomarker Discovery
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as promising biomarkers for multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Understanding the correlation between serum miRNA levels and neuroimaging parameters is crucial for MS diagnosis and monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum microRNA levels and various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in patients with MS.
• To explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for structural and functional changes in MS.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 50 MS patients for the study.
• Collected serum samples and performed quantitative analysis of ten pre-selected microRNAs using droplet digital PCR.
• Assessed cervical spine and cerebral white matter lesions, regional brain volumes, white matter microstructure (diffusion tensor imaging), cerebral metabolites (magnetic resonance spectroscopy), and default mode network functional connectivity (resting-state functional MRI).

Main Results:

• Serum miR-143.3p levels differentiated between MS subtypes, with lower levels in progressive MS.
• Higher miR-92a.3p and miR-486.5p levels correlated with greater cervical spine white matter lesion volumes.
• Decreased miR-142.5p levels were associated with reduced creatinine concentration.
• miR-92a.3p, miR-142.5p, and miR-486.5p levels showed associations with default mode network functional connectivity.

Conclusions:

• Circulating microRNAs demonstrate a correlation with both structural and functional neuroimaging outcomes in MS patients.
• These findings support the potential utility of serum miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for MS.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of these miRNAs in MS pathogenesis and progression.