Nora E Fritz1, Anne D Kloos2, Deborah A Kegelmeyer2, Parminder Kaur3, Deborah S Nichols-Larsen3. 1. Program in Physical Therapy and Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States; Division of Physical Therapy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States. Electronic address: nora.fritz@wayne.edu. 2. Division of Physical Therapy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States. 3. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of dual-task (e.g., walking while talking) deficits in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), no neuroimaging studies to date have examined neuronal networks used for dual-task processing or specific brain areas related to dual-task performance in this population. A better understanding of the relationship among underlying brain areas and dual-task performance may improve targeted rehabilitation programs. The objective of this study was to examine relationships between neuroimaging measures and clinical measures of dual-task performance, and reported falls in persons with MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All participants completed measures of dual-task performance, a fall history, and neuroimaging on a 3 T MRI scanner. Spearman correlations were used to examine relationships among dual-task performance, falls and neuroimaging measures. RESULTS: Eighteen females with relapsing-remitting MS [mean age = 45.5 ± 8.2 SD; mean symptom duration = 12.3 ± 6.7 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale median 2.25 (range 1.5-4)] participated in this study. Structural imaging measures of supplementary motor area (SMA) interhemispheric connectivity were significantly related to dual-task walking variability. CONCLUSIONS: The SMA interhemispheric tract may play a role in dual-task performance. Structural neuroimaging may be a useful adjunct to clinical measures to predict performance and provide information about recovery patterns in MS. Functional recovery can be challenging to objectively report in MS; diffusion tensor imaging could show microstructural improvements and suggest improved connectivity.
BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of dual-task (e.g., walking while talking) deficits in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), no neuroimaging studies to date have examined neuronal networks used for dual-task processing or specific brain areas related to dual-task performance in this population. A better understanding of the relationship among underlying brain areas and dual-task performance may improve targeted rehabilitation programs. The objective of this study was to examine relationships between neuroimaging measures and clinical measures of dual-task performance, and reported falls in persons with MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All participants completed measures of dual-task performance, a fall history, and neuroimaging on a 3 T MRI scanner. Spearman correlations were used to examine relationships among dual-task performance, falls and neuroimaging measures. RESULTS: Eighteen females with relapsing-remitting MS [mean age = 45.5 ± 8.2 SD; mean symptom duration = 12.3 ± 6.7 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale median 2.25 (range 1.5-4)] participated in this study. Structural imaging measures of supplementary motor area (SMA) interhemispheric connectivity were significantly related to dual-task walking variability. CONCLUSIONS: The SMA interhemispheric tract may play a role in dual-task performance. Structural neuroimaging may be a useful adjunct to clinical measures to predict performance and provide information about recovery patterns in MS. Functional recovery can be challenging to objectively report in MS; diffusion tensor imaging could show microstructural improvements and suggest improved connectivity.
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Authors: Erin M Edwards; Deborah A Kegelmeyer; Anne D Kloos; Manon Nitta; Danya Raza; Deborah S Nichols-Larsen; Nora E Fritz Journal: Mult Scler Int Date: 2020-09-08