Advanced

AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rocca, M. A. Articles by Filippi, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rocca, M. A. Articles by Filippi, M.

American Journal of Neuroradiology 26:1136-1139, May 2005
© 2005 American Society of Neuroradiology

BRAIN

A Widespread Pattern of Cortical Activations in Patients at Presentation with Clinically Isolated Symptoms Is Associated with Evolution to Definite Multiple Sclerosis

Maria A. Rocca^a, Domenico M. Mezzapesa^a, Angelo Ghezzi^d, Andrea Falini^b, Vittorio Martinelli^c, Giuseppe Scotti^a, Giancarlo Comi^c and Massimo Filippi^a

^a Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
^b Department of Neuroradiology, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
^c Department of Neurology, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
^d Department of Neurology, Ospedale di Gallarate, Gallarate, Italy

Address correspondence to Dr. Massimo Filippi, Neuroimaging Research Unit Department of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132 Milan, Italy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Movement-associated cortical changes have been detected at the earlier clinical stage multiple sclerosis. Our purpose was to assess whether different patterns of cortical recruitment are associated with the short-term evolution of definite multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS: We followed for 1 year a group of patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CISs) suggestive of MS and compared the baseline movement-associated patterns of cortical activations between those patients with and those without evolution to definite MS.

RESULTS: Those patients in whom MS did not evolve had more significant activations of several areas part of the "classic" motor network; those who went on to develop MS had more significant activations of several regions in the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.

CONCLUSION: In CIS patients, the extent of early cortical reorganization following tissue injury might be a factor associated with a different disease evolution.