T1 cortical hypointensities and their association with cognitive disability in multiple sclerosis

Francesca Bagnato, Zeena Salman, Robert Kane, Sungyoung Auh, Fredric K. Cantor, Mary Ehrmantraut, Antonio Gallo, Vasiliki N. Ikonomidou, Joan Ohayon, Clelia Pellicano, Susan K. Stern, Henry F. McFarland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Neocortical lesions (NLs) largely contribute to the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS), although their relevance in patients? disability remains unknown. Objective: To assess the incidence of T1 hypointense NLs by 3.0-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with MS and examine neocortical lesion association with cognitive impairment. Methods: In this case-control study, 21 MS patients and 21 age-, sex- and years of education-matched healthy volunteers underwent: (i) a neuropsychological examination rating cognitive impairment (Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS); (ii) a 3.0-Tesla MRI inclusive of an isotropic 1.0 mm 3 three-dimensional inversion prepared spoiled gradient-recalled-echo (3D-IRSPGR) image and T1- and T2-weighted images. Hypointensities on 3D-IRSPGR lying in the cortex, either entirely or partially were counted and association between NLs and cognitive impairment investigated. Results: A total of 95 NLs were observed in 14 (66.7%) patients. NL+ patients performed poorer (p = 0.020) than NLpatients only on the delayed recall component of the California Verbal Learning Test. This difference lost statistical significance when a correction for white matter lesion volume was employed. Conclusions: Although T1 hypointense NLs may be present in a relatively high proportion of multiple sclerosis patients, the impact that they have in cognitive impairment is not independent from white matter disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1203-1212
Number of pages10
JournalMultiple Sclerosis
Volume16
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • MRI
  • multiple sclerosis
  • T2 lesions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Neurology
  • General Medicine

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