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Investigating mood and cognition in people with multiple sclerosis: a prospective cross-sectional study protocol
Elena C Cooper1, Matthew K Schindler2, Amit Bar-Or2
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
BMJ Open
|May 30, 2025
Summary
Depression in multiple sclerosis (MS) may stem from brain network disruption. This study quantises white matter disease burden to predict depressive symptoms in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects one million people in the USA, with up to 50% experiencing depression.
- Mechanisms linking MS and depression are underinvestigated.
- MS-related white matter lesions suggest brain network disruption may cause depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate how brain network disruption underlies depression in MS.
- Evaluate white matter disease burden as a predictor of depressive symptoms.
- Advance understanding of depression in neurological disorders.
Main Methods:
- Recruit 250 participants with MS for clinical and cognitive assessments.
- Quantify white matter lesion burden by measuring the volume of injured white matter streamlines.
- Prospectively evaluate disease burden as a predictor of depressive symptoms.
Main Results:
- White matter lesion burden will be quantified.
- The volume of injured streamlines will serve as the metric for disease burden.
- Disease burden will be evaluated as a predictor of depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- This study will provide insights into the mechanisms of depression in MS.
- Findings may help identify individuals at higher risk for depression.
- Results will be disseminated through scientific meetings and publications.
