Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis can be predicted by imaging early in the disease.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and adds significantly to the burden of the disease. The ability to predict future cognitive impairment from imaging obtained at disease onset has not been investigated.

METHODS:
62 patients imaged within 3 months of a clinically isolated syndrome were assessed neuropsychologically 7 years later. Baseline and periodic MRI measures of lesions, atrophy and normal-appearing white and grey matter were regressed against neuropsychological scores to explore the best predictors of cognitive outcome.

RESULTS:
28 patients had developed clinically definite MS at follow-up and a further nine met revised McDonald criteria for MS. Deficits in speed of information processing and executive function were the most common abnormalities. Poor performance correlated with high anxiety ratings. Baseline T(1) lesion metrics predicted executive deficits, and new T(2) lesions at the 3-month follow-up predicted slowed information processing. An increase in myo-inositol concentration in normal-appearing white matter over the first 3 years was associated with poor executive function.

CONCLUSIONS:
MRI variables obtained at the onset of a clinically isolated syndrome can predict future development of cognitive abnormalities. Our findings may have implications in monitoring and treating patients.

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Author information

Author/s: Summers, M (M); Swanton, J (J); Fernando, K (K); Dalton, C (C); Miller, D H (DH); Cipolotti, L (L); Ron, M A (MA);

Affiliation: Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry (J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Aug; vol 79 (issue 8) : pp 955-8

Dates: Created 2008/07/22; Completed 2008/07/31;

PMID: 18339729, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Aspartic Acid - analogs & derivatives; metabolism
Atrophy
Brain - pathology
Cerebral Ventricles - pathology
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; psychology
Cohort Studies
Dipeptides - metabolism
Disability Evaluation
Female
Follow-Up Studies

Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Inositol - metabolism
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - diagnosis; psychology
Neurologic Examination
Neuropsychological Tests - statistics & numerical data
Predictive Value of Tests
Prospective Studies

Associated Chemicals: Dipeptides (0) ; N-acetyl-1-aspartylglutamic acid (3106-85-2) ; Aspartic Acid (56-84-8) ; Inositol (6917-35-7) ; N-acetylaspartate (997-55-7)

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