Thalamus atrophy predicting cognitive impairment in early relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients

SANCHEZ FRANCISCO; MURPHY, G.; ROJAS JUAN IGNACIO; MIGUEZ, JIMENA; CRISTIANO EDGARDO; PATRUCCO LILIANA; GOLIMSTOCK ANGEL

Londres

Congreso; 32st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis; 2016

European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Journal 2016; 22: (S3) 400?705Abstract: P1026Type: PosterAbstract Category: Pathologyand pathogenesis of MS - ImagingThe objective was to assess whether changes in the volume of the thalamusduring the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) may help to predict cognitiveimpairment after accounting for the effects of brain volume loss. Methods: a prospective study included patients with RRMS, with less thanthree years of disease onset (defined as the firs demyelinating symptom), EDSS≤3, no history of cognitive impairment and at least two year of follow up.Patients were clinically evaluated during follow-up with annual brain MRI andneuropsychological evaluations for two years. Neuropsychological (NP) testing,acquired using standarized methods, evaluated measures of memory, informationprocessing speed and executive function. After two years, the groups ofpatients with and without cognitive impairment (CI and noCI respectively) wereidentified. Brain dual-echo, high-resolution T1-3D weighted and DT MRI scanswere acquired at baseline and every 12 months during 2 years. Between-groupdifferences of thalamus volume, general and regional gray matter, white mattervolumes and T2 lesion load were assessed using FIRST, SIENA, SIENAXr, FIRST andSepInria software (Logistic regression analysis p < 0.05 significant). Results: 61 patients, mean age 38.4 years, 35 (57%) women were included.At 2 years of follow up, 17 (28%) were CI. CI patients exhibited significantlyslower information processing speed and attentional deficits vs. noCI patients(p< 0.001 and p= 0.02 respectively). In the CI group a significant reductionin percentage of the thalamus volume (p < 0.001) was observed compared withnoCI group after accounting for influence of demographics and brain volumeloss. Conclusion: We observed a significant role of thalamus atrophy inMS-related CI after controlling for the influence of general and neocortexatrophy.Disclosure: JI Rojas has received honoraria from Novartis as ascientific advisor. He has received travel grants and attended courses andconferences on behalf of Merck-Serono Argentina, Novartis Argentina.E Cristiano has received fees for consultations as a scientific advisory boardmember and for travel to meetings, conferences and clinical trials of thefollowing companies: Avanir, Bayer, Biogen, Merck, Novartis and Teva.L Patrucco has received honoraria for scientific and research grants from TevaTuteur, Merck Serono, Biogen Idec and Bayer Schering.J. Miguez, F Sanchez declares no conflict of interest