Abstract
Background
Histopathology has demonstrated extensive cortical grey matter (GM) demyelination
in multiple sclerosis (MS), and suggests that sulcal folds may be preferentially affected,
particularly in progressive MS. This has not been confirmed in vivo, and it is not
known if it is relevant to clinical status.
Objectives
To determine sulcal and gyral crown magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) in MS cortical
GM, and the MTR associations with clinical status.
Methods
We measured sulcal and gyral crown cortical GM MTR values in 61 MS patients and 32
healthy controls. Disability was measured using Expanded Disability Status Scale and
Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite scores.
Results
MTR values were reduced in sulcal and gyral crown regions in all MS subtypes, more
so in secondary progressive (SP) MS than relapsing remitting (RR) MS, and similarly
in primary progressive (PP) MS and RRMS. Sulcal MTR was lower than gyral crown MTR
in controls, PPMS and RRMS patients, but not in SPMS. MTR correlated with clinical
status in RRMS and SPMS, but not PPMS.
Conclusions
Cortical pathology, as reflected by MTR, is present in all MS subtypes and most pronounced
in SPMS. A preferential disease effect on sulcal cortical regions was not observed.
Cortical MTR abnormalities appear to be more clinically relevant in relapse-onset
rather than progressive-onset MS.
Highlights
- MTR abnormalities are present in all MS subtypes and are most pronounced in SPMS.
- Sulcal MTR was lower than gyral MTR in controls, PPMS and RRMS, but not SPMS.
- MTR correlated with clinical status in RRMS and SPMS, but not PPMS.
- Cortical MTR may be more clinically relevant in relapse- than progressive-onset MS.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 15, 2013
Accepted:
January 10,
2013
Received in revised form:
December 19,
2012
Received:
September 27,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
