L Bonzano1, M Bove2, M P Sormani3, M L Stromillo4, A Giorgio4, M P Amato5, A Tacchino2, G L Mancardi1, N De Stefano4. 1. Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. 2. Section of Human Physiology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. 3. Biostatistics Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. 4. Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. 5. Neuroscience Division, Department of NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An engineered glove measuring finger motor performance previously showed ability to discriminate early-stage multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from healthy controls (HCs). Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) classifies asymptomatic subjects with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities suggestive of multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Seventeen asymptomatic subjects with RIS and 17 HCs were assessed. They performed finger-to-thumb opposition sequences at their maximal velocity, metronome-paced bimanual movements and conventional and diffusion tensor MRI. RESULTS: Subjects with RIS showed lower (P = 0.005) maximal velocity and higher (P = 0.006) bimanual coordination impairment than HCs. In RIS, bimanual coordination correlated with T2-lesion volume, fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity in the white matter. CONCLUSIONS: These findings point out the relevance of fine hand measures as a robust marker of subclinical disability.
BACKGROUND: An engineered glove measuring finger motor performance previously showed ability to discriminate early-stage multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from healthy controls (HCs). Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) classifies asymptomatic subjects with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities suggestive of multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Seventeen asymptomatic subjects with RIS and 17 HCs were assessed. They performed finger-to-thumb opposition sequences at their maximal velocity, metronome-paced bimanual movements and conventional and diffusion tensor MRI. RESULTS: Subjects with RIS showed lower (P = 0.005) maximal velocity and higher (P = 0.006) bimanual coordination impairment than HCs. In RIS, bimanual coordination correlated with T2-lesion volume, fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity in the white matter. CONCLUSIONS: These findings point out the relevance of fine hand measures as a robust marker of subclinical disability.
Authors: Andres G Barboza; Edgar Carnero Contentti; Maria Celeste Curbelo; Mario Javier Halfon; Juan Ignacio Rojas; Berenice A Silva; Vladimiro Sinay; Santiago Tizio; Maria Celica Ysrraelit; Ricardo Alonso Journal: Neurol Sci Date: 2021-01-25 Impact factor: 3.307