University of Melbourne
Medicine and Radiology

Author Of 1 Presentation

Imaging Poster Presentation

P0572 - Evaluation of cerebellar function scores in relation to cerebellar axonal loss in multiple sclerosis. (ID 933)

Speakers
Presentation Number
P0572
Presentation Topic
Imaging

Abstract

Background

Damage to the cerebellum is common in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and associated with a worse prognosis and, cerebellar relapses are associated with poorer recovery and earlier onset of progressive disease. Studies examining the importance of the cerebellum are hampered by incomplete characterisation of cerebellar damage and its relation to cerebellar function.

Objectives

We aim to examine axonal loss in the cerebellum using diffusion imaging and compare the degree of cerebellar axonal loss with cerebellar dysfunction in pwMS.

Methods

We prospectively recruited 55 pwMS and 14 healthy controls (HC). Clinical assessments included scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA) and Bain tremor ratings. Subjects underwent 3-tesla volumetric, lesion and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. Cerebellar axonal loss was examined with fibre-specific markers. Fibre density and cross-section (FDC) accounts for microscopic and macroscopic changes in a fibre bundle.

Results

Significant loss of cerebellar FDC was found in pwMS compared to HC (p=0.03). Lower FDC was associated with increased SARA (r=-0.42, p<0.01) and tremor severity (rho=-0.35, p=0.01). Cerebellar lesion volume correlated with SARA (r=0.49, p<0.01) and tremor severity (rho=0.41, p=0.01). Cerebellar volume showed no correlation with cerebellar clinical assessments.

Conclusions

Fibre-specific measures of cerebellar pathology could provide a functionally relevant marker of cerebellar damage in pwMS. Future trials using fibre-specific markers are needed to further characterise cerebellar pathology and understand its significance in disease progression.

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