Diffusely abnormal white matter in clinically isolated syndrome is associated with parenchymal loss and elevated neurofilament levels

I M Vavasour; P Becquart; J Gill; G Zhao; J T Yik; A Traboulsee; R L Carruthers; S H Kolind; A J Schabas; A L Sayao; V Devonshire; R Tam; G R W Moore; S Stukas; C L Wellington; J A Quandt; D K B Li; C Laule

doi:10.1016/j.msard.2021.103422

Diffusely abnormal white matter in clinically isolated syndrome is associated with parenchymal loss and elevated neurofilament levels

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022 Jan:57:103422. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103422. Epub 2021 Nov 26.

Authors

I M Vavasour¹, P Becquart², J Gill², G Zhao³, J T Yik⁴, A Traboulsee⁵, R L Carruthers⁶, S H Kolind⁷, A J Schabas⁶, A L Sayao⁶, V Devonshire⁶, R Tam⁸, G R W Moore⁹, S Stukas², C L Wellington², J A Quandt², D K B Li¹⁰, C Laule¹¹

Affiliations

¹ Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
³ MS/MRI Research Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
⁴ International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Physics & Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
⁵ MS/MRI Research Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
⁶ Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
⁷ Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; MS/MRI Research Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Physics & Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
⁸ Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; MS/MRI Research Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
⁹ International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
¹⁰ Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; MS/MRI Research Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
¹¹ Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Physics & Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

PMID: 34871858
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103422

Abstract

We characterized the frequency of diffusely abnormal white matter (DAWM) across a broad spectrum of multiple sclerosis (MS) participants. 35% of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), 57% of relapsing remitting and 64% of secondary progressive MS participants demonstrated DAWM. CIS with DAWM had decreased cortical thickness, higher lesion load and a higher concentration of serum neurofilament light chain compared to CIS without DAWM. DAWM may be useful in identifying CIS patients with greater injury to their brains. Larger and longitudinal studies are warranted.

Keywords: Brain; Clinically isolated syndrome; Diffusely abnormal white matter; MRI; Multiple sclerosis; Neurofilament.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Intermediate Filaments
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Multiple Sclerosis*
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting* / diagnostic imaging
White Matter* / diagnostic imaging