scholarly journals The Forgotten Tract of Vision in Multiple Sclerosis: Vertical Occipital Fasciculus, Its Integrity, and Visuospatial Memory

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
AmirHussein Abdoalizadeh ◽  
Soheil Mohammadi ◽  
Mohammad Hadi Aarabi
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Visuospatial Memory ◽  
Disease Manifestation ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Learning Impairments ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Visuospatial Learning ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Mri Scans

AbstractBackgroundVisual disturbances are a common disease manifestation and a major patient complaint in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) due to lesions damaging white matter tracts involved in vision. Vertical Occipital Fasciculus (VOF) connects ventral and dorsal visual streams and was neglected for more than a century. It has recently become under focus in brain-related disorders. Thus, its role in the visual dysfunction in MS needs to be clarified.ObjectiveEvaluate the integrity of bilateral VOFs in MS and its association with clinical and visual evaluations.Methods56 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 25 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. We acquired MS Functional Composite, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test – Revised (BVMT-R), and structural and diffusion MRI scans. After VOF tractography, its integrity markers were statistically tested for between-group differences and clinical and visual tests associations.ResultsRRMS patients had lower fiber integrity in bilateral VOFs compared to HC. Lower integrity of bilateral VOFs was associated with poor clinical outcomes, higher visual score in EDSS, and lower total immediate and delayed recall in BVMT-R.ConclusionVOF damage is seen in RRMS and is associated with visual symptoms and visuospatial learning impairments.

Cognitive impairment at diagnosis predicts 10-year multiple sclerosis progression

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 659-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Moccia ◽  
Roberta Lanzillo ◽  
Raffaele Palladino ◽  
Kiara Chu-Mei Chang ◽  
Teresa Costabile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Selective Reminding ◽  
Conversion Rates ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Selective Reminding Test

Background: Cognitive impairment occurs from the early phases of multiple sclerosis (MS), and more frequently affects secondary progressive (SP) subjects than relapsing–remitting (RR). Objective: To investigate relationships between cognitive dysfunctions in newly diagnosed RRMS, and long-term MS-related outcomes. Methods: The present 10-year retrospective longitudinal study included 155 RRMS subjects, tested with the Rao Brief Repeatable Battery at MS diagnosis. The reaching of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 4.0, and the SP conversion were recorded. Results: 67 subjects (43.2%) reached EDSS 4.0, and 34 subjects (21.9%) converted to SP during a follow-up period of 10.0±1.8 years. Subjects with cognitive impairment at diagnosis had a rate of reaching EDSS 4.0 more than three times greater ( p<0.001; HR=3.183), and a rate of SP conversion more than two times greater, as compared to cognitively preserved subjects ( p=0.008; HR=2.535). In particular, better scores in the Selective Reminding Test-Delayed Recall and in the Symbol Digit Modalities Test at baseline were associated with lower SP conversion rates during the follow-up period ( p=0.018; HR=0.835; and p=0.001; HR=0.941, respectively). Conclusion: Cognitive impairment, with particular involvement of processing speed and memory, predicts disability progression and SP conversion in newly diagnosed RRMS, highlighting the importance of cognitive assessment from the beginning of MS.

T2 hypointense rims and ring-enhancing lesions in MS

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1317-1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Llufriu ◽  
Teresa Pujol ◽  
Yolanda Blanco ◽  
Karolina Hankiewicz ◽  
Mattia Squarcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Clinically Isolated Syndrome ◽  
Routine Clinical Practice ◽  
The Other ◽  
Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽  
Secondary Progressive ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Mri Scans

Background: Hypointense rims peripherally on T2-weighted MRI (rim lesions) have been associated with gadolinium ring-enhancing lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) in pathological studies. However, little is known about their frequency, we analyzed clinical significance in a cohort of MS sufferers according to routine clinical practice. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all available MRI scans performed on our MS patients between 2000 and 2009. A total of 580 MRI scans from 257 patients were analyzed. The presence of rim lesions and ring enhancement was assessed and counted blind. Furthermore, the correlation between both patterns, and with clinical characteristics, was evaluated. Results: Thirty-five rim lesions were identified and 9% (24/257) of the patients showed at least one of these lesions. Forty ring-enhancing lesions were counted and 12% (29/245) of the patients who had undergone gadolinium MRI presented at least one such lesion. Thirteen lesions co-localized both patterns (40% of the rim lesions and 33% of the ring-enhancing lesions). Rim lesions and ring-enhancing lesions were observed in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (7%, 7%), relapsing—remitting (11%, 15%) and secondary progressive (13%, 9%) but none with primary progressive MS. Presence of ring-enhancing lesions was significantly associated with a shorter time to reach EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) 4.0 and 6.0 (hazard ratio 7.6, 95% confidence interval 2.3—24.6). Conclusions: Rim lesions and ring-enhancing lesions are present in close to 10% of patients with MS, and frequently both lesions appear independently one to the other. The association of ring enhancement with worst prognosis needs to be confirmed in prospective studies.

scholarly journals Relationship between Expanded Disability Status Scale scores and the presence of temporomandibular disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
pp. 144-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Senra Correa Carvalho ◽  
Osvaldo José Moreira Nascimento ◽  
Luciane Lacerda Franco Rocha Rodrigues ◽  
Andre Palma Da Cunha Matta
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Temporomandibular Disorders ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Axis I ◽  
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

ABSTRACTObjectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and to investigate whether an association exists between the presence of TMD symptoms and the degree of MS-related disability. Materials and Methods: In all, 120 individuals were evaluated: 60 patients with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS and 60 age- and sex-matched controls without neurological impairments. A questionnaire recommended by the European Academy of Craniomandibular Disorders for the assessment of TMD symptoms was administered. For those who answered affirmatively to at least one of the questions, the RDC/TMD Axis I instrument was used for a possible classification of TMD subtypes. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was the measure of the degree of MS-related disability. Statistical Analysis Used: Fisher’s exact test was used to analyze the data. ANOVA was used to detect significant differences between means and to assess whether the factors influenced any of the dependent variables by comparing means from the different groups. Results: The prevalence of TMD symptoms in patients with MS was 61.7% versus 18.3% in the control group (CG). A diagnosis of TMD was established for 36.7% in the MS group and 3.3% in the CG (P = 0.0001). There were statistically significant differences between degrees of MS-related disability and the prevalence of TMD (P = 0.0288). Conclusions: The prevalence of both TMD and TMD symptoms was significantly greater in the MS group. EDSS scores and TMD prevalence rates were inversely related.

scholarly journals A Pilot Study of 24-h Motor Activity Patterns in Multiple Sclerosis: Pre-Planned Follow-Up at 2 Years

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-376
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Tonetti ◽  
Federico Camilli ◽  
Sara Giovagnoli ◽  
Vincenzo Natale ◽  
Alessandra Lugaresi
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Motor Activity ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Edss Score ◽  
Activity Prognosis

Early multiple sclerosis (MS) predictive markers of disease activity/prognosis have been proposed but are not universally accepted. Aim of this pilot prospective study is to verify whether a peculiar hyperactivity, observed at baseline (T0) in early relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients, could represent a further prognostic marker. Here we report results collected at T0 and at a 24-month follow-up (T1). Eighteen RRMS patients (11 females, median Expanded Disability Status Scale-EDSS score 1.25, range EDSS score 0–2) were monitored at T0 (mean age 32.33 ± 7.51) and T1 (median EDSS score 1.5, range EDSS score 0–2.5). Patients were grouped into two groups: responders (R, 14 patients) and non-responders (NR, 4 patients) to treatment at T1. Each patient wore an actigraph for one week to record the 24-h motor activity pattern. At T0, NR presented significantly lower motor activity than R between around 9:00 and 13:00. At T1, NR were characterized by significantly lower motor activity than R between around 12:00 and 17:00. Overall, these data suggest that through the 24-h motor activity pattern, we can fairly segregate at T0 patients who will show a therapeutic failure, possibly related to a more active disease, at T1. These patients are characterized by a reduced morning level of motor activation. Further studies on larger populations are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

scholarly journals Adverse health behaviours are associated with depression and anxiety in multiple sclerosis: A prospective multisite study

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 685-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyla A. McKay ◽  
Helen Tremlett ◽  
John D. Fisk ◽  
Scott B. Patten ◽  
Kirsten Fiest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background: Depression and anxiety are common among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), as are adverse health behaviours, but the associations between these factors are unclear. Objective: To evaluate the associations between cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and depression and anxiety in MS in a cross-Canada prospective study. Methods: From July 2010 to March 2011 we recruited consecutive MS patients from four MS clinics. At three visits over two years, clinical and demographic information was collected, and participants completed questionnaires regarding health behaviours and mental health. Results: Of 949 participants, 75.2% were women, with a mean age of 48.6 years; most had a relapsing−remitting course (72.4%). Alcohol dependence was associated with increased odds of anxiety (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.32–2.58) and depression (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.05–2.23) adjusting for age, sex, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and smoking status. Smoking was associated with increased odds of anxiety (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.02–1.63) and depression (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.04–1.78) adjusting for age, sex, EDSS, and alcohol dependence. Alcohol dependence was associated with an increased incidence of depression but not anxiety. Depression was associated with an increased incidence of alcohol dependence. Conclusion: Alcohol dependence and smoking were associated with anxiety and depression. Awareness of the effects of adverse health behaviours on mental health in MS might help target counselling and support for those ‘at risk’.

‘Clinically definite benign multiple sclerosis’, an unwarranted conceptual hodgepodge: evidence from a 30-year observational study

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Leray ◽  
M Coustans ◽  
E Le Page ◽  
J Yaouanq ◽  
J Oger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Clinical Onset ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Benign Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
New Biomarkers

Background: Benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) is a controversial concept which is still debated. However identification of this kind of patients is crucial to prevent them from unnecessary exposure to aggressive and/or long term medical treatments. Objectives: To assess two definitions of ‘clinically definite benign multiple sclerosis’ (CDBMS) using long-term follow-up data, and to look for prognostic factors of CDBMS. Methods: In 874 patients with definite relapsing–remitting MS, followed up for at least 10 years, disability was assessed using the Disability Status Scale (DSS). CDBMS was defined by either DSS score≤2 (CDBMS1 group) or DSS score≤ 3 (CDBMS2 group) at 10 years. We estimated the proportion of patients who were still benign at 20 and 30 years after clinical onset. Results: CDBMS frequency estimates were 57.7% and 73.9% when using CDBMS1 and CDBMS2 definitions, respectively. In the CDBMS1 group, only 41.7% (105/252) of cases were still benign 10 years later, and 41.1% (23/56) after an additional decade, while there were 53.8% (162/301) and 59.5% (44/74) respectively in the CDBMS2 group. Conclusions: This 30-year observational study, which is one of the largest published series, indicates that favourable 10-year disability scores of DSS 2 or 3 fail to ensure a long-term benign course of multiple sclerosis. After every decade almost half of the CDBMS were no longer benign. CDBMS, as currently defined, is an unwarranted conceptual hodgepodge. Other criteria using new biomarkers (genetic, biologic or MRI) should be found to detect benign cases of MS.

scholarly journals Assessment of Biochemical and Densitometric Markers of Calcium-Phosphate Metabolism in the Groups of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Selected due to the Serum Level of Vitamin D3

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Niedziela ◽  
Krystyna Pierzchała ◽  
Jolanta Zalejska-Fiolka ◽  
Jacek T. Niedziela ◽  
Ewa Romuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Calcium Phosphate ◽  
Serum Level ◽  
Clinical Stage ◽  
Phosphate Metabolism ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Calcium Phosphate Metabolism

Background. In addition to the widely known effect of vitamin D3 (vitD3) on the skeleton, its role in the regulation of the immune response was also confirmed. Aim. The assessment of biochemical and densitometric markers of calcium-phosphate metabolism in the groups of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) selected due to the serum level of vitamin D3. Methods. The concentrations of biochemical markers and indices of lumbar spine bone densitometry (DXA) were determined in 82 patients divided into vitamin D3 deficiency (VitDd), insufficiency (VitDi), and normal vitamin D3 level (VitDn) subgroups. Results. The highest level of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the highest prevalence of hypophosphatemia and osteopenia were demonstrated in VitDd group compared to VitDi and VitDn. However, in VitDd, VitDi, and VitDn subgroups no significant differences were observed in the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and ionized calcium (Ca2+) and in DXA indices. A negative correlation was observed between the level of vitamin D3 and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in the whole MS group. The subgroups were significantly different with respect to the EDSS scores and the frequency of complaints related to walking according to the EQ-5D. Conclusions. It is necessary to assess calcium-phosphate metabolism and supplementation of vitamin D3 in RRMS patients. The higher the clinical stage of the disease assessed with the EDSS, the lower the level of vitamin D3 in blood serum. Subjectively reported complaints related to difficulties with walking were reflected in the EDSS in VitDd patients.

Prospective study of multiple sclerosis with early onset

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Ghezzi ◽  
C Pozzilli ◽  
M Liguori ◽  
M G Marrosu ◽  
N Milani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
First Year ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Definite Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Gender

Fifty-four subjects (36 females and 18 males) affected by clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and with onset of the disease at 15 years of age or before were prospectively studied in five Italian MS centres. Female/male ratio was 4.7 in subjects with age ≥12 years, suggesting a role of hormonal changes in triggering MS onset. The mean follow-up duration was 10.9-5.6 years. The functional systems more frequently involved at onset were the pyramidal and brainstem (both in 28% of cases). The onset was monosymptomatic in 31 subjects (57%). The course was relapsing-remitting in 39 subjects (72%) and relapsing-progressive in 15 (28%). Disability was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): the mean score after 8 years of follow up was 3.5 (-2.5). The score was <4 in 68% of cases, between 4 and 6 in 8% of cases, > 6 in 24% of cases. Disability after 8 years was highly predicted by disability in the first year (p=0.008). There was a tendency to a worse prognosis in relation to the number of relapses in the first 2 years (p=0.08). The outcome was not influenced by the characteristics of symptoms at onset, age and gender.

Olfactory dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: association with secondary progression

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 616-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Martins Silva ◽  
Ernestina Santos ◽  
Inês Moreira ◽  
Andreia Bettencourt ◽  
Ester Coutinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Clinical Markers ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Threshold Score ◽  
State Examination ◽  
Smell Identification

Objective: The Brief Smell Identification Test (B-SIT) was used to explore odour identification capacities in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: In total, 153 consecutive patients with MS and 165 healthy controls (HC) participated in the study. All participants were asked to answer the B-SIT and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Scale (MSSS), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used for patients’ clinical and cognitive characterization. Results: Patients with MS (11.1%) were more impaired on the B-SIT than HC participants (3%). The frequency of impairment was higher for patients with secondary progressive (SPMS; 11/16, 68.8%) than relapsing–remitting (RRMS; 4/121, 3.3%) or primary progressive (2/16, 12.5%) courses. A threshold score of ≤ 8 on the B-SIT provided a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 97% in the identification of SPMS among patients with relapsing onset. The association between SPMS and impaired B-SIT remained statistically significant after adjusting for demographic (i.e. age and education), clinical (i.e. disease duration, EDSS, and MSSS), psychopathological (i.e. HADS anxiety and depression scores), and cognitive (i.e. MMSE) variables. Conclusions: A brief odour identification measure provided a good discrimination between SPMS and RRMS courses. A systematic assessment of olfactory functions may contribute to the development of clinical markers of SPMS.

scholarly journals Patients with neuromyelitis optica have a more severe disease than patients with relapsingremitting multiple sclerosis, including higher risk of dying of a demyelinating disease

2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 275-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Bernardi Bichuetti ◽  
Enedina Maria Lobato de Oliveira ◽  
Nilton Amorin de Souza ◽  
Mar Tintoré ◽  
Alberto Alain Gabbai
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Neuromyelitis Optica ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Demyelinating Disease ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Although neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is known to be a more severe disease than relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), few studies comparing both conditions in a single center have been done.Methods:Comparison of our previously published cohort of 41 NMO patients with 177 RRMS patients followed in the same center, from 1994 to 2007.Results:Mean age of onset was 32.6 for NMO and 30.2 for RRMS (p=0.2062) with mean disease duration of 7.4 years for NMO and 10.3 years for RRMS. Patients with NMO had a higher annualized relapse rate (1.0 versus 0.8, p=0.0013) and progression index (0.9 versus 0.6, p≪0.0001), with more patients reaching expanded disability status scale (EDSS) 6.0 (39 versus 17%, p=0.0036). The odds ratio for reaching EDSS 6.0 and being deceased due to NMO in comparison to RRMS were, respectively, 3.14 and 12.15.Conclusion:Patients with NMO have a more severe disease than patients with RRMS, including higher risk of dying of a demyelinating disease.

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