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01-09-2017 | Review

Retinal ganglion cell analysis in multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Josefine Britze, Gorm Pihl-Jensen, Jette Lautrup Frederiksen

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 9/2017

Abstract

The aim of this study was to summarise existing findings regarding optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of ganglion cell layer (GCL) alterations in optic neuritis (ON) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Peer-reviewed studies published prior to April 2016 were searched using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus. Studies were included if they measured GCL thickness using OCT in patients with either ON, MS or clinically isolated syndrome. For the meta-analysis, we compared GCL thickness in MS patients with and without prior ON, to healthy controls. 42/252 studies were reviewed. In acute ON, studies showed significant thinning of the GCL within the first 5 weeks (n = 5), earlier than retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thinning. GCL thinning at 1–2 months after acute ON predicted visual function at 6 months (n = 3). The meta-analysis showed that the thickness of the GCL was significantly reduced in MS patients both with and without previous ON compared to healthy controls. GCL thinning was associated with visual function in most studies (n = 10) and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores (n = 6). In acute ON, thinning of the GCL is measurable prior to RNFL thinning, and GCL thickness after 1–2 months may predict visual function after 6 months. Furthermore, GCL thinning occurs in MS both with and without prior ON, and may be associated with visual function and EDSS score. This suggests that the GCL is a promising biomarker, which may be used to examine in vivo neurodegeneration in ON and MS.

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Title: Retinal ganglion cell analysis in multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Josefine Britze
Gorm Pihl-Jensen
Jette Lautrup Frederiksen
Publication date: 01-09-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 9/2017
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-017-8531-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Retinal ganglion cell analysis in multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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