SARS-CoV-2 Is Linked to Brain Volume Loss in Multiple Sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Neuroimmunology

Background:

• The neurological impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is not well understood.
• Investigating changes in brain and spinal cord pathology post-SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for managing pwMS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on brain lesion activity and volumes in pwMS.
• To evaluate changes in spinal cord volume following SARS-CoV-2 infection in pwMS.

Main Methods:

• 177 pwMS with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent MRI scans.
• Analysis focused on brain lesion load and brain/spinal cord volumes using mixed-effect models.
• Patients were clinically stable, without disease activity or recent treatment changes.

Main Results:

• SARS-CoV-2 infection did not alter brain lesion count or volume.
• Significant whole brain, grey matter, and cortical grey matter volume loss was observed.
• Ventricular enlargement occurred in pwMS over 40; reduced cervical cord area was seen in severe infections.

Conclusions:

• SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with increased neuronal tissue loss in clinically stable pwMS.
• Age influences the extent of brain volume changes post-SARS-CoV-2.
• Severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection correlates with spinal cord volume reduction.