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01-01-2012 | Original Communication

Basal ganglia, thalamus and neocortical atrophy predicting slowed cognitive processing in multiple sclerosis

Authors: Sonia Batista, Robert Zivadinov, Marietta Hoogs, Niels Bergsland, Mari Heininen-Brown, Michael G. Dwyer, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Ralph H. B. Benedict

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Information-processing speed (IPS) slowing is a primary cognitive deficit in multiple sclerosis (MS). Basal ganglia, thalamus and neocortex are thought to have a key role for efficient information-processing, yet the specific relative contribution of these structures for MS-related IPS impairment is poorly understood. To determine if basal ganglia and thalamus atrophy independently contribute to visual and auditory IPS impairment in MS, after controlling for the influence of neocortical volume, we enrolled 86 consecutive MS patients and 25 normal controls undergoing 3T brain MRI and neuropsychological testing. Using Sienax and FIRST software, neocortical and deep gray matter (DGM) volumes were calculated. Neuropsychological testing contributed measures of auditory and visual IPS using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), respectively. MS patients exhibited significantly slower IPS relative to controls and showed reduction in neocortex, caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, thalamus and nucleus accumbens volume. SDMT and PASAT were significantly correlated with all DGM regions. These effects were mitigated by controlling for the effects of neocortical volume, but all DGM volumes remained significantly correlated with SDMT, putamen (r = 0.409, p < 0.001) and thalamus (r = 0.362, p < 0.001) having the strongest effects, whereas for PASAT, the correlation was significant for putamen (r = 0.313, p < 0.01) but not for thalamus. We confirm the significant role of thalamus atrophy in MS-related IPS slowing and find that putamen atrophy is also a significant contributor to this disorder. These DGM structures have independent, significant roles, after controlling for the influence of neocortex atrophy.

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Title: Basal ganglia, thalamus and neocortical atrophy predicting slowed cognitive processing in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sonia Batista
Robert Zivadinov
Marietta Hoogs
Niels Bergsland
Mari Heininen-Brown
Michael G. Dwyer
Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
Ralph H. B. Benedict
Publication date: 01-01-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-011-6147-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Basal ganglia, thalamus and neocortical atrophy predicting slowed cognitive processing in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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