Abstract #2530

Thalamic involvement in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: multicomponent relaxometry parameters and relationship with cognition

Anna J.E. Combes^1,2, Katrina McMullen², Irene M. Vavasour³, Emmanuelle Lapointe², Robert Carruthers², David K.B. Li³, Gareth J. Barker¹, Anthony Traboulsee², and Shannon Kolind^2,3

¹Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom, ²Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, ³Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Investigations into thalamus pathology, a known predictor of disease progression and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis, have yielded inconsistent results in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. We found significant thalamic atrophy, but normal multicomponent relaxometry parameters in patients compared to healthy controls, providing further evidence that despite volume loss, microstructural alterations are likely subtle. Associations between MRI metrics (thalamic volume and T₁ relaxation time, linked with changes in water content) and performance on two measures of information processing speed support the hypothesis that damage to the thalamus may be involved in cognitive impairment in this population.

This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.

Join Here