Epilepsy in multiple sclerosis: The role of temporal lobe damage

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Calabrese ◽  
M Castellaro ◽  
A Bertoldo ◽  
A De Luca ◽  
FB Pizzini ◽  
...  

Background: Although temporal lobe pathology may explain some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), its role in the pathogenesis of seizures has not been clarified yet. Objectives: To investigate the role of temporal lobe damage in MS patients suffering from epilepsy, by the application of advanced multimodal 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis. Methods: A total of 23 relapsing remitting MS patients who had epileptic seizures (RRMS/E) and 23 disease duration matched RRMS patients without any history of seizures were enrolled. Each patient underwent advanced 3T MRI protocol specifically conceived to evaluate grey matter (GM) damage. This includes grey matter lesions (GMLs) identification, evaluation of regional cortical thickness and indices derived from the Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging model. Results: Regional analysis revealed that in RRMS/E, the regions most affected by GMLs were the hippocampus (14.2%), the lateral temporal lobe (13.5%), the cingulate (10.0%) and the insula (8.4%). Cortical thinning and alteration of diffusion metrics were observed in several regions of temporal lobe, in insular cortex and in cingulate gyrus of RRMS/E compared to RRMS ( p< 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusions: Compared to RRMS, RRMS/E showed more severe damage of temporal lobe, which exceeds what would be expected on the basis of the global GM damage observed.

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
James F Sumowski ◽  
Victoria M Leavitt ◽  
Maria A Rocca ◽  
Matilde Inglese ◽  
Gianna Riccitelli ◽  
...  

Background/Objective: Memory deficits due to multiple sclerosis (MS) have been variably linked to lower subcortical grey matter (SCGM) and mesial temporal lobe (MTL) volumes. We investigated which is the better predictor and whether this changes across disease stages. Methods/Results: Memory was assessed in 315 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measured volumes of total brain, grey matter, white matter, MTL (hippocampus, amygdala) and SCGM (thalamus, caudate). MTL predicted memory in the total sample and in patients with earlier (<10 years) or later (⩾10 years) relapsing disease. SCGM (specifically thalamus) predicted memory in progressive patients. Conclusions: Neuroanatomical correlates of memory deficits differ across disease stages.


2017 ◽  
Vol 01 (04) ◽  
pp. E294-E306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Wattjes ◽  
Peter Raab

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and has been incorporated into the McDonald diagnostic criteria for MS. In particular, for the exclusion of important differential diagnosis and comorbidities, new MRI markers have been established such as the “central vein sign”. In addition to diagnostic purposes, the role of MRI in MS monitoring is becoming increasingly important, particularly for pharmacovigilance. This includes treatment efficacy monitoring, prediction of treatment response and safety monitoring. Quantitative MRI methods and ultra-high-field MRI offer the opportunity for the quantitative assessment of damage in normal-appearing brain tissue. However, the standardization of these techniques with the goal of implementation in clinical routine will be one of the major challenges in the near future.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256155
Author(s):  
Intakhar Ahmad ◽  
Stig Wergeland ◽  
Eystein Oveland ◽  
Lars Bø

Incomplete remyelination is frequent in multiple sclerosis (MS)-lesions, but there is no established marker for recent remyelination. We investigated the role of the oligodendrocyte/myelin protein ermin in de- and remyelination in the cuprizone (CPZ) mouse model, and in MS. The density of ermin+ oligodendrocytes in the brain was significantly decreased after one week of CPZ exposure (p < 0.02). The relative proportion of ermin+ cells compared to cells positive for the late-stage oligodendrocyte marker Nogo-A increased at the onset of remyelination in the corpus callosum (p < 0.02). The density of ermin-positive cells increased in the corpus callosum during the CPZ-phase of extensive remyelination (p < 0.0001). In MS, the density of ermin+ cells was higher in remyelinated lesion areas compared to non-remyelinated areas both in white- (p < 0.0001) and grey matter (p < 0.0001) and compared to normal-appearing white matter (p < 0.001). Ermin immunopositive cells in MS-lesions were not immunopositive for the early-stage oligodendrocyte markers O4 and O1, but a subpopulation was immunopositive for Nogo-A. The data suggest a relatively higher proportion of ermin immunopositivity in oligodendrocytes compared to Nogo-A indicates recent or ongoing remyelination.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 535-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tineke Hooper-van Veen ◽  
Hans M Schrijver ◽  
Antoon Zwiers ◽  
J Bart A Crusius ◽  
Dirk L Knol ◽  
...  

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of presumed autoimmune origin with a considerable polygenic influence. We have previously observed that a specific allele combination in genes of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) family influenced the progression rate in MS. We have considerably expanded our patient population (492 MS patients and 228 controls). In the present study, we investigated the role of the IL- 1A - 889, IL-1B - 511, IL-1B+3953 and IL-1RN VNTR gene polymorphisms in MS. In addition, we performed preliminary analyses on longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. We found no associations between the polymorphisms and susceptibility to MS or clinical features. In addition, we observed no significant effect of the polymorphisms on brain or lesion volumes, Based on our data and those from the literature, one can conclude that there is currently no evidence to support a role for the IL-1 genes in MS.


Author(s):  
Antonio Gambardella ◽  
Paola Valentino ◽  
Angelo Labate ◽  
Grazia Sibilia ◽  
Francesca Ruscica ◽  
...  

Objective:To report on five patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) as the unique manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS).Methods:Among 350 consecutive MS patients, we identified 16/350 (4.6%) who also had epileptic seizures. Here, we review their electrophysiological and clinical features.Results:Five of these 16 patients (four female, one male; mean age 34.2 years; range 31 to 38) with MS and epileptic seizures had an extremely homogeneous clinical picture characterized by TLE as the unique manifestation of MS, even at long follow-up (mean: five years; range 4 to 10). In all patients, seizures started in the second or third decade. Brain MRI revealed at least one juxta-cortical lesion within the temporal region. Antiepileptic medication was always effective.Conclusions:The present study provides the first evidence of a peculiar form of MS characterized by TLE as the unique manifestation of the disease with no disability or MS relapses at long-term follow-up.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 1676-1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvino Bisecco ◽  
Giuseppina Caiazzo ◽  
Alessandro d’Ambrosio ◽  
Rosaria Sacco ◽  
Simona Bonavita ◽  
...  

Background: A functional cortico-subcortical disconnection has been recognized in fatigued multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Normal appearing white matter (NAWM) damage might contribute to the abovementioned disconnectivity. Objectives: To assess the relationship between fatigue and microstructural NAWM damage in relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. Methods: Sixty RRMS patients and 29 healthy controls (HC) underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Patients with a mean Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score ⩾ 4 were considered fatigued (fatigued MS (F-MS)). Tract-based spatial statistics were applied for voxel-wise analysis of DTI indices. A correlation analysis was performed between FSS score and DTI indices in the entire MS group. Results: Thirty MS patients were F-MS. Compared to HC, F-MS patients showed a more extensive NAWM damage than not fatigued MS (NF-MS) patients, with additional damage in the following tracts: frontal and occipital juxtacortical fibers, external capsule, uncinate fasciculus, forceps minor, superior longitudinal fasciculus, cingulum, and pons. No differences were found between F-MS and NF-MS patients. Fatigue severity correlated to DTI abnormalities of corona radiata, cingulum, corpus callosum, forceps minor, superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, thalamus and anterior thalamic radiation, cerebral peduncle, and midbrain. Conclusions: Fatigue is associated to a widespread microstructural NAWM damage, particularly in associative tracts connected to frontal lobes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 247-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike W. Kaunzner ◽  
Susan A. Gauthier

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has developed into the most important tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple sclerosis (MS). Its high sensitivity for the evaluation of inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes in the brain and spinal cord has made it the most commonly used technique for the evaluation of patients with MS. Moreover, MRI has become a powerful tool for treatment monitoring, safety assessment as well as for the prognostication of disease progression. Clinically, the use of MRI has increased in the past couple decades as a result of improved technology and increased availability that now extends well beyond academic centers. Consequently, there are numerous studies supporting the role of MRI in the management of patients with MS. The aim of this review is to summarize the latest insights into the utility of MRI in MS.


Author(s):  
Anthony Traboulsee ◽  
Laurent Létourneau-Guillon ◽  
Mark Steven Freedman ◽  
Paul W. O’Connor ◽  
Aditya Bharatha ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground: A definitive diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), as distinct from a clinically isolated syndrome, requires one of two conditions: a second clinical attack or particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings as defined by the McDonald criteria. MRI is also important after a diagnosis is made as a means of monitoring subclinical disease activity. While a standardized protocol for diagnostic and follow-up MRI has been developed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres, acceptance and implementation in Canada have been suboptimal. Methods: To improve diagnosis, monitoring, and management of a clinically isolated syndrome and MS, a Canadian expert panel created consensus recommendations about the appropriate application of the 2010 McDonald criteria in routine practice, strategies to improve adherence to the standardized Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres MRI protocol, and methods for ensuring effective communication among health care practitioners, in particular referring physicians, neurologists, and radiologists. Results: This article presents eight consensus statements developed by the expert panel, along with the rationale underlying the recommendations and commentaries on how to prioritize resource use within the Canadian healthcare system. Conclusions: The expert panel calls on neurologists and radiologists in Canada to incorporate the McDonald criteria, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres MRI protocol, and other guidance given in this consensus presentation into their practices. By improving communication and general awareness of best practices for MRI use in MS diagnosis and monitoring, we can improve patient care across Canada by providing timely diagnosis, informed management decisions, and better continuity of care.


BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Augusta Vola ◽  
Maria Petracca ◽  
Sirio Cocozza ◽  
Marcello De Angelis ◽  
Antonio Carotenuto ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) can rarely occur in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients undergoing dimethyl fumarate (DMF) treatment. Our case stresses the limits of current diagnostic and stratification risk criteria, highlighting the potential role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in advising clinical choices. Case presentation A 54 years old MS male patient treated with DMF, after 3 years of clinical stability developed a subacute clinical worsening. He had no severe lymphopenia but MRI signs suggestive of a coexistence of PML and MS activity. Although his viral title was negative, DMF was discontinued, with clinical and radiological improvement. Conclusions This case highlights the challenges behind PML diagnosis, especially in patients not fulfilling the risk stratification criteria and that might present with concurrent disease activity, stressing the potential role of MRI in informing therapeutic decisions.


Author(s):  
J. Baucaud ◽  
J. Talairach ◽  
C. Munari ◽  
T. Giallonardo ◽  
P. Brunet

ABSTRACT:An introduction to the clinical study of postrolandic epileptic seizures. We reviewed, in 145 epilectics studied with SEEG, 800 clinical and electrographic seizures originating from the post-rolandic areas (590 spontaneous Sz and 260 induced by stimulation). The intra-cranial electrodes were implanted using a technique described by Talairach et al. (1974). Seizure onsets were recorded in the centro-parietal region (64 patients) in the partietal49 and in the occipital region.15 Additionally in 15 patients, mixed Sz onset were recorded. One hundred and eight (108) patients underwent surgical removal of their epileptic focus. (69 on the right, 39 on left.) 65% were cured (Sz free or occas Sz, f/up 3 years). The main ictal cal features are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the role of the operculo-insular cortex in the functional organization in man, based on Sz arising from the supra-temporal (fronto-pariental) cortex. The study of the pattern of onset and spread of seizures originating in the post-rolandic areas and of their clinical correlates allow a topographic differential diagnosis.


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