Magnetic resonance volumetry reveals focal brain atrophy in transient epileptic amnesia

Objective: The objectives of the present study were to assess brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during different disease stages and to investigate by PET and [11C]PK11195, a marker of microglial activation, the relationship between inflammation, atrophy and clinically relevant measures. Methods: Eight healthy subjects and 22 MS patients were included. Semiquantitative [11C]PK11195 uptake values, with normalization on cortical grey matter, were measured for magnetic resonance imaging T2- and T1-lesions and normal appearing white matter (NAWM). As atrophy index we used the ratio of the amount of white and grey matter divided by the ventricular size, using an optimized a priori based segmentation algorithm (SPM99). Results: Atrophy was significantly greater in MS patients compared to age-matched controls. A significant correlation was found between brain atrophy and both disease duration and disability, as measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale. For NAWM, [11C]PK11195 uptake increased with the amount of atrophy, while T2-lesional [11C]PK11195 uptake values decreased according to increasing brain atrophy. Conclusions: The present study suggests that brain atrophy, correlating with disease duration and disability, is directly related to NAWM and T2-lesional inflammation as measured by microglial activation.

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Genetic variants and magnetic resonance imaging measures in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review

Journal of Medical Science ◽

10.20883/182 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 85 (4) ◽

pp. 311

Author(s):

Jan Krzysztof Nowak ◽

Izabela Guzikowska-Ruszkowska ◽

Jadwiga Łopaciuch ◽

Wiesława Jankowska ◽

Ewa Piotrowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Mr Imaging ◽

Genetic Variants ◽

Brain Atrophy ◽

Association Studies ◽

Genome Wide Association Studies ◽

Lesion Load ◽

The Relationship

Introduction. Although environmental factors play the major role in the etiopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), genetic factors are implicated as well. We aimed to summarize the current knowledge on the relationship between genetic variants and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging measures in MS.Material and Methods. A systematic review. In December 2016, Scopus (since the year 1980; including MEDLINE) was searched for studies meeting predefined criteria designed to identify articles regarding: multiple sclerosis, genetic variants, and MR imaging. These were then analyzed to identify publications linking polymorphisms and MR findings.Results. The search yielded 290 items; 26 were included in the final analysis. Two genome‑wide association studies (GWAS) and two projects employing panels of a few dozen of genes of interest provided most of the data. The other publications concerned no more than 5 genes at a time. Twenty studies reported positive findings. The relationship between HLA‑DRB1*15:01 or BDNF rs6265 (Val66Met) and the radiologic course of MS was not consistent across the studies. An intersection of the results of the two GWAS yielded: OPCML (rs11223055), PTPRD (rs1953594), and WWOX (rs11150140, rs1116525) (brain atrophy) as well as CDH13 (rs692612) and PLCB1 (rs6118257) (lesion load).Conclusions. Genetic variants were shown to correlate with MS‑related brain atrophy and lesion load. Further research in the field is required.

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