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Physical activity may contribute to brain health in multiple sclerosis: An MR volumetric and spectroscopy study
Author(s) -
Negaresh Raoof,
Gharakhanlou Reza,
Sahraian Mohammad Ali,
Abolhasani Maryam,
Motl Robert W.,
Zimmer Philipp
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of neuroimaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1552-6569
pISSN - 1051-2284
DOI - 10.1111/jon.12869
Subject(s) - medicine , actigraphy , hippocampal formation , multiple sclerosis , creatine , physical activity , in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy , magnetic resonance imaging , brain size , functional magnetic resonance imaging , hippocampus , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , psychiatry , radiology , circadian rhythm
Background and Purpose Physical activity may represent a disease‐modifying therapy in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). To date, there is limited research regarding mechanisms based on brain imaging for understanding the beneficial effects of physical activity in pwMS. This study examined the relationship between physical activity levels and thalamic and hippocampal volumes and brain metabolism in pwMS. Methods The sample of 52 pwMS (37.3 ± 9.6 years of age; 35 females, 17 males) underwent a combination of volumetric magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Current and lifetime physical activity were assessed using actigraphy and the adapted version of the Historical Activity Questionnaire, respectively. Results Positive associations were observed between both actigraphy and self‐reported levels of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and thalamic and hippocampal volumes. Regarding brain metabolism, actigraphy and self‐reported levels of MVPA were positively associated with higher hippocampal and thalamic levels of N‐acetylaspartate/creatine ratio (NAA/Cr: marker of neural integrity and cell energy state). Conclusions This study provides novel evidence for a positive association between physical activity and thalamic and hippocampal volume and metabolism in pwMS. These findings support the hypothesis that physical activity, particularly MVPA, may serve as a disease‐modifying treatment by improving brain health in pwMS.