Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be investigated in the visual system as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows examining structural integrity in detail. The association between thickness of retinal layers and focal cortical volumes beyond the primary visual system has not been thoroughly investigated.Objective
To investigate the association between focal cortical volume and thickness of retinal layers.Methods
Fifty-four patients (relapsing-remitting MS, mean age 40.5 years, mean disease duration 7.6 years, median EDSS 2) underwent OCT and MRI. The association between focal cortical volume and OCT measurements was investigated with voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Patterns of association were determined with Yeo's functional network atlas and the Harvard-Oxford cortical atlas. We used GEE models with cortical volumes from the FreeSurfer parcellation to confirm VBM results. Post hoc, we analyzed the association between OCT, focal cortical volumes, and an extended neuropsychological assessment in a subgroup of 14 patients.Results
Macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL) and ganglion cell /inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) showed a robust association with mainly the insular cortex and the cingulate cortex. VBM findings were confirmed with FreeSurfer volumes. The post hoc analysis detected significant correlations between both OCT outcomes and cognition.Conclusion
Besides the primary visual system, OCT outcomes show a correlation pattern with cortical regions that are known to be important for cognitive performance, predominantly the insula in both hemispheres. Thus, OCT should be further investigated as a marker for neurodegeneration in MS.
SUBMITTER: Stellmann JP
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5318367 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Stellmann Jan-Patrick JP Cetin Hanife H Young Kim Lea KL Hodecker Sibylle S Pöttgen Jana J Bittersohl Diana D Hassenstein Andrea A Oberwahrenbrock Timm T Heesen Christoph C Siemonsen Susanne S
Brain and behavior 20161220 2
<h4>Background</h4>Neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be investigated in the visual system as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows examining structural integrity in detail. The association between thickness of retinal layers and focal cortical volumes beyond the primary visual system has not been thoroughly investigated.<h4>Objective</h4>To investigate the association between focal cortical volume and thickness of retinal layers.<h4>Methods ...[more]