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Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Longitudinal Brain Atrophy Patterns in Early MOG-Antibody Associated Disease and Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis
Theodoros Ladopoulos1,2, David Bratek1, Carolin Schwake1
1Department of Neurology, St Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Background:
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease can manifest as a relapsing or monophasic condition. Although several MRI studies have shown evident gray and white matter atrophy compared to healthy controls, little is known about regional brain volume dynamics in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease over time.
Methods:
In this study, we performed an explorative voxel-based morphometry to detect brain volumetric differences between myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (N = 27), relapsing multiple sclerosis (N = 40)-both in early disease stages-and healthy controls (N = 45). Furthermore, we investigated the longitudinal brain volume changes over a 2-year follow-up period in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (N = 15) and relapsing multiple sclerosis (N = 40).
Results:
We identified distinct patterns of regional brain volume loss in the patient subgroups compared to healthy controls. In multiple sclerosis patients, bilateral thalamic atrophy was observed, whereas patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease showed atrophy of the bilateral fornix and stria terminalis. Our results confirmed longitudinal volume loss in thalamic and infratentorial regions in the relapsing multiple sclerosis group, which was partly related to clinical relapses during the 2-year follow-up period. In contrast, no longitudinal gray or white matter changes were found in the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease group.
Conclusions:
To our knowledge, this is the first MRI study demonstrating no evidence of regional brain volume loss over time in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease using voxel-based morphometry, suggesting a different-probably not progressive-pathophysiological background compared to relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Insights
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) shows no brain volume loss over time, unlike relapsing multiple sclerosis. This suggests a different, likely non-progressive, disease mechanism in MOGAD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) can be relapsing or monophasic.
- Existing MRI studies indicate gray and white matter atrophy in MOGAD compared to controls.
- Longitudinal brain volume changes in MOGAD remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare regional brain volumetric differences between MOGAD, relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), and healthy controls (HC) in early disease stages.
- To investigate longitudinal brain volume changes over a 2-year follow-up in MOGAD and RMS patients.
Main Methods:
- Explorative voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was employed.
- Cross-sectional analysis included MOGAD (N=27), RMS (N=40), and HC (N=45).
- Longitudinal analysis followed MOGAD (N=15) and RMS (N=40) over 2 years.
Main Results:
- MOGAD patients exhibited atrophy in the bilateral fornix and stria terminalis compared to HC.
- RMS patients showed bilateral thalamic atrophy compared to HC.
- Longitudinal analysis revealed thalamic and infratentorial volume loss in RMS, linked to relapses.
- No significant longitudinal gray or white matter volume changes were detected in MOGAD patients.
Conclusions:
- This is the first MRI study to show no evidence of regional brain volume loss over time in MOGAD.
- Findings suggest a distinct pathophysiological background for MOGAD compared to RMS.
- The results imply that MOGAD may not be a progressive neurodegenerative condition.
