Vascular risk factors' impact on motor performance and sensorimotor network structural integrity in multiple...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroimaging
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Vascular risk factors (VRFs) are linked to diffuse brain damage in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• The specific impact of VRFs on motor performance and sensorimotor network (SMN) integrity in MS patients requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of vascular risk factors (VRFs) on motor performance.
• To assess the effect of VRFs on sensorimotor network (SMN) structural integrity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cross-sectional study of 268 MS patients and 180 controls, classified by VRF presence.
• Clinical assessments included EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk, and 9-Hole Peg Test.
• SMN integrity evaluated using MRI measures: lesion volume, cortical thickness, gray matter volume, cerebellar volumes, cervical cord area, and diffusion metrics of key tracts.

Main Results:

• MS patients with VRFs (MS-VRF[+]) exhibited higher EDSS scores and poorer motor function compared to those without (MS-VRF[-]).
• Significant interactions between MS and VRFs were found for motor performance, ML mean diffusivity, NDGMV, and ACMA volumes.
• In MS patients, EDSS scores correlated with the VRF x ML fractional anisotropy interaction.

Conclusions:

• Vascular risk factors may exacerbate disability and motor impairments in MS patients.
• VRFs are associated with region-specific structural damage within the sensorimotor network in MS.
• These findings highlight the importance of managing vascular health in MS care.