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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Grey matter atrophy patterns of mobility shared across older adults with and without multiple sclerosis
Mark E Wagshul1,2, Siddharth Nayak3, Frederick W Foley4,5
1Department of Radiology, Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, 10461, USA. mark.wagshul@einsteinmed.edu.
Abstract:
Mobility impairment is common in multiple sclerosis, especially in older adults with multiple sclerosis (OAMS). Grey matter (GM) changes are well documented in MS, and GM atrophy is common in older adults. The relationship between GM changes and mobility disability in OAMS is unknown. We sought to identify GM patterns associated with gait speed in OAMS and healthy older controls, using structural covariance network analysis. OAMS (n = 102; 64.8 ± 4.4 years) and healthy controls (n = 106; 68.2 ± 7.3 years) underwent brain MRI and gait assessments; structural covariance networks were constructed to elucidate brain regions with significant associations between GM volume and 25-foot walk gait speed. We used voxel-wise linear regression analyses to elucidate per-network subregions with significant correlations with gait speed. Voxel-wise moderation analysis tested for group differences in these associations. Across the entire cohort, the following networks demonstrated significant gait speed associations: bilateral hippocampus, bilateral caudate/pallidum/putamen, bilateral thalamus/putamen, right middle temporal gyrus and multiple cerebellar regions. There were no significant group-by-network interaction effects. In summary, structural network analysis reveals unique brain patterns of gait speed in older adults, but these patterns are common amongst healthy older adults and OAMS and highlight the importance of cerebellar and subcortical networks in supporting gait speed.
Insights
Grey matter changes in the brain are linked to walking speed in older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy individuals. Cerebellar and subcortical networks are crucial for maintaining gait speed in aging populations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Radiology
Background:
- Mobility impairment is a significant challenge for older adults with multiple sclerosis (OAMS).
- Grey matter (GM) atrophy is prevalent in aging and associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The specific relationship between GM changes and mobility deficits in OAMS remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between GM patterns and gait speed in OAMS and healthy older adults.
- To identify specific brain networks correlating with gait speed using structural covariance network analysis.
Main Methods:
- Structural covariance network analysis was employed to examine brain MRI data from OAMS and healthy controls.
- Voxel-wise linear regression and moderation analyses were used to correlate GM volume with 25-foot walk gait speed.
- Participants included 102 OAMS (mean age 64.8 years) and 106 healthy controls (mean age 68.2 years).
Main Results:
- Significant associations between GM volume and gait speed were observed across the cohort in networks including the hippocampus, caudate/pallidum/putamen, thalamus/putamen, middle temporal gyrus, and cerebellum.
- No significant group-by-network interaction effects were found, indicating similar patterns in both OAMS and healthy controls.
- Cerebellar and subcortical networks were highlighted as critical for supporting gait speed.
Conclusions:
- Structural network analysis reveals shared brain patterns associated with gait speed in older adults, irrespective of multiple sclerosis status.
- These findings underscore the importance of cerebellar and subcortical brain regions in maintaining gait speed in aging.
- The study provides insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of gait impairment in OAMS.
