Emilie Doche1, Angèle Lecocq2, Adil Maarouf3, Guillaume Duhamel2, Elisabeth Soulier2, Sylviane Confort-Gouny2, Audrey Rico4, Maxime Guye5, Bertrand Audoin4, Jean Pelletier4, Jean-Philippe Ranjeva2, Wafaa Zaaraoui2. 1. Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, 13005, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, Service de Neurologie, 13005, Marseille, France. Electronic address: emilie.doche@ap-hm.fr. 2. Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, 13005, Marseille, France. 3. Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, 13005, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, Service de Neurologie, 13005, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone, Pôle d'Imagerie Médicale, CEMEREM, 13005, Marseille, France. 4. Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, 13005, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, Service de Neurologie, 13005, Marseille, France. 5. Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, 13005, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone, Pôle d'Imagerie Médicale, CEMEREM, 13005, Marseille, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: While gray matter (GM) perfusion abnormalities have been evidenced in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, the relationships with disability still remain unclear. Considering that atrophy is known to impact on perfusion, we aimed to assess perfusion abnormalities in GM of MS patients, outside atrophic regions and investigate relationships with disability. METHODS: Brain perfusion of 23 relapsing remitting MS patients and 16 matched healthy subjects were assessed at 3T using the pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging technique. In order to locate potential GM perfusion abnormalities in regions spared by atrophy, we combined voxelwise comparisons of GM cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps (cortex and deep GM) (P<0.005, FWE-corrected) and voxel-based-morphometry analysis (P<0.005, FDR-corrected) to exclude atrophic regions. Disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite score (MSFC). RESULTS: In patients, significant GM hypoperfusion outside atrophic regions was depicted only in bilateral thalami. No other cluster was found to be hypoperfused compared to controls. Perfusion of thalami was correlated to MSFC (P=0.011, rho=0.523). A trend of correlation was found between perfusion of thalami and EDSS (P=0.061, rho=-0.396). CONCLUSION: In relapsing remitting MS, perfusion abnormalities in thalamic regions contribute to disability. These findings suggest that functional impairments of thalami, representing a major brain hub, may disturb various cerebral functions even before structural damage.
BACKGROUND: While gray matter (GM) perfusion abnormalities have been evidenced in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, the relationships with disability still remain unclear. Considering that atrophy is known to impact on perfusion, we aimed to assess perfusion abnormalities in GM of MSpatients, outside atrophic regions and investigate relationships with disability. METHODS: Brain perfusion of 23 relapsing remitting MSpatients and 16 matched healthy subjects were assessed at 3T using the pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging technique. In order to locate potential GM perfusion abnormalities in regions spared by atrophy, we combined voxelwise comparisons of GM cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps (cortex and deep GM) (P<0.005, FWE-corrected) and voxel-based-morphometry analysis (P<0.005, FDR-corrected) to exclude atrophic regions. Disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite score (MSFC). RESULTS: In patients, significant GM hypoperfusion outside atrophic regions was depicted only in bilateral thalami. No other cluster was found to be hypoperfused compared to controls. Perfusion of thalami was correlated to MSFC (P=0.011, rho=0.523). A trend of correlation was found between perfusion of thalami and EDSS (P=0.061, rho=-0.396). CONCLUSION: In relapsing remitting MS, perfusion abnormalities in thalamic regions contribute to disability. These findings suggest that functional impairments of thalami, representing a major brain hub, may disturb various cerebral functions even before structural damage.
Authors: G Pontillo; S Cocozza; R Lanzillo; C Russo; M D Stasi; C Paolella; E A Vola; C Criscuolo; P Borrelli; G Palma; E Tedeschi; V B Morra; A Elefante; A Brunetti Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2018-12-20 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Shiva Shahrampour; Justin Heholt; Andrew Wang; Faezeh Vedaei; Feroze B Mohamed; Mahdi Alizadeh; Ze Wang; George Zabrecky; Nancy Wintering; Anthony J Bazzan; Thomas P Leist; Daniel A Monti; Andrew B Newberg Journal: Heliyon Date: 2021-07-16