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Regional neuronal activity in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Baumgartner Annette,
Frings Lars,
Schiller Florian,
Stich Oliver,
Mix Michael,
Egger Karl,
Schluh Gisa,
Rauer Sebastian,
Meyer Philipp T.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/ane.13012
Subject(s) - posterior cingulate , multiple sclerosis , precuneus , medicine , depression (economics) , cortex (anatomy) , cardiology , cingulate cortex , posterior parietal cortex , psychology , neuroscience , central nervous system , psychiatry , cognition , economics , macroeconomics
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 ( rCMR l 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 rCMR l glc in portions of left posterior cingulate cortex, and higher depression was associated with lower rCMR l glc within the left superior temporal sulcus. In the pooled sample, higher depression was associated with higher rCMR l 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.