Abstract #1309

Patterns of Regional Gray Matter and White Matter Atrophy Progression Contributing to Clinical Deterioration in MS: A 5-Year Tensor-Based Morphometry Study

Elisabetta Pagani¹, Maria Assunta Rocca^1,2, Paolo Preziosa¹, Sarlota Mesaros³, Jelena Drulovic³, and Massimo Filippi^1,2

¹Neuroimaging Research Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, ²Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, ³Clinic of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Yugoslavia

In this study we investigated the regional patterns of atrophy progression over a five year follow-up in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and their association with clinical and cognitive deterioration. Clinical (EDSS and phenotype changes), neuropsychological (Rao’s battery) and brain MRI assessment were performed at baseline and after 5 years from 66 MS patients. Compared to stable MS patients, those with clinical and cognitive worsening showed a left-lateralized pattern of atrophy. A different vulnerability of the two brain hemispheres to irreversible structural damage may be among the factors contributing to clinical and cognitive worsening in these patients.

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