Contributions
Abstract: EP1515
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - MRI and PET
Background: PASAT is a useful cognitive test in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) assessing sustained attention and information processing speed. However, neural underpinnings of its performance are controversial. We aimed to study the neural basis of PASAT in a large series of 242 patients with MS using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods: PASAT-3 seconds was administered together with a comprehensive neuropsychological protocol. Global brain volumes and total T2-weighted lesion volume were estimated. Voxel-based morphometry and lesion symptom mapping analyses were performed.
Results: Mean PASAT score was 42.98±10.44, and it was impaired in 75 (31.0%) of cases. PASAT correlated with several clusters involving the following regions: bilateral precuneus and bilateral posterior cingulate, bilateral caudate and putamen, and bilateral anterior cerebellum. Voxel-based lesion symptom mapping did not show any significant clusters. ROI-based analysis restricted to white matter regions revealed a correlation with left cingulum, corpus callosum, left and right corticospinal tract, and right arcuate fasciculus. Correlations between PASAT and global volumes were low.
Disclosure: PASAT was associated to regional atrophy in posterior cingulate/precuneus and several subcortical structures, specifically caudate, putamen, and cerebellum. This emphasizes the role of both cortical and subcortical structures in cognitive functioning and information processing speed in MS.
Abstract: EP1515
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - MRI and PET
Background: PASAT is a useful cognitive test in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) assessing sustained attention and information processing speed. However, neural underpinnings of its performance are controversial. We aimed to study the neural basis of PASAT in a large series of 242 patients with MS using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods: PASAT-3 seconds was administered together with a comprehensive neuropsychological protocol. Global brain volumes and total T2-weighted lesion volume were estimated. Voxel-based morphometry and lesion symptom mapping analyses were performed.
Results: Mean PASAT score was 42.98±10.44, and it was impaired in 75 (31.0%) of cases. PASAT correlated with several clusters involving the following regions: bilateral precuneus and bilateral posterior cingulate, bilateral caudate and putamen, and bilateral anterior cerebellum. Voxel-based lesion symptom mapping did not show any significant clusters. ROI-based analysis restricted to white matter regions revealed a correlation with left cingulum, corpus callosum, left and right corticospinal tract, and right arcuate fasciculus. Correlations between PASAT and global volumes were low.
Disclosure: PASAT was associated to regional atrophy in posterior cingulate/precuneus and several subcortical structures, specifically caudate, putamen, and cerebellum. This emphasizes the role of both cortical and subcortical structures in cognitive functioning and information processing speed in MS.