Regional neuronal activity in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

Objectives: Although interferon-beta is an established drug for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), its impact on neuronal activity is not well understood.

Methods: We investigated 15 patients with RRMS by [¹⁸ F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) to assess cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMR_glc ) before interferon-beta therapy. Further, we performed clinical and neuropsychological investigations. In nine patients, these investigations were repeated after 6 months of therapy. Ten healthy controls were also studied.

Results: We found no significant differences in absolute CMR_glc between patients and controls, or in patients before and during treatment. However, during treatment, relative regional glucose metabolism (rCMRl_glc ) was decreased in cerebellum and increased in parts of left inferior parietal, temporo-occipital, frontal cortical areas, left striatum and right insula. In untreated patients, higher fatigue was associated with lower rCMRl_glc in portions of left posterior cingulate cortex, and higher depression was associated with lower rCMRl_glc within the left superior temporal sulcus. In the pooled sample, higher depression was associated with higher rCMRl_glc in parts of the right precuneus.

Conclusions: Our results indicate effects of IFN-beta treatment on cerebellar, cortical and subcortical neuronal function. Moreover, more severe fatigue and depression in untreated patients seem to be associated with reduced neuronal activity in left posterior cingulate cortex and left superior temporal cortex, respectively.