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Extensive cortical inflammation is associated with epilepsy in multiple sclerosis

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Abstract

Introduction

Epilepsy is three to six times more frequent in MS than in the general population. Previous studies based on conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have suggested a possible correlation between cortical inflammatory pathology and epileptic seizures. However, pure intracortical lesions (ICLs) are unlikely to be demonstrated with conventional MR. We applied the double inversion recovery (DIR) sequence in relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) patients with or without epileptic seizures in order to clarify the relationship between ICLs and epilepsy in MS in vivo.

Methods

Twenty RRMS patients who had epileptic seizures (RRMS/E) during the course of the disease were studied for the presence of ICLs. A group of 80 RRMS patients with no history of seizures and matched for gender, age, disease duration, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) grading, and T2 lesion volume (T2-WMLV) was selected as reference population. ICLs were detected by applying the DIR sequence.

Results

ICLs were observed in 18/20 (90%) RRMS/E and in 39/80 (48%) RRMS (p = 0.001). RRMS/E showed five times more ICLs (7.2 ± 8.4) than RRMS (1.5 ± 2.4; p = 0.015). The total ICLs volume was 6 times larger in RRMS/E than in RRMS (1.2 ± 1.7cm3 versus 0.2 ± 0.2cm3, p = 0.016). No significant difference was observed between RRMS and RRMS/E with regard to the number and volume of juxtacortical lesions and T2-WMLV.

Discussion

Our findings indicate that RRMS/E have more extensive cortical inflammation than RRMS patients with no history of epilepsy. Inflammatory ICLs may be responsible for epilepsy in MS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Veneto Region, First Neurology Clinic, Dept. of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128, Padova, Italy

    M. Calabrese MD, M. Atzori MD, V. Bernardi MD, I. Mattisi MD, L. Rinaldi MD, PhD, P. Perini MD, L. Battistin MD, PhD & P. Gallo MD, PhD

  2. Quantitative Neuroimaging Lab, Dept. of Neurological & Behavioral Sciences, University of Siena, Siena

    N. De Stefano MD, PhD & L. Battistin MD, PhD

  3. Neuroradiology Unit, Euganea Medica Albignasego, Padova, Italy

    L. Barachino, A. Morra MD & L. Battistin MD, PhD

  4. Biomedical Imaging Research Services, Section at the NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    M. M. J. McAuliffe PhD & L. Battistin MD, PhD

  5. IRCCS San Camillo, Lido di Venezia, Italy

    L. Battistin MD, PhD

Authors
  1. M. Calabrese MD
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  2. N. De Stefano MD, PhD
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  3. M. Atzori MD
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  4. V. Bernardi MD
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  5. I. Mattisi MD
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  6. L. Barachino
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  7. L. Rinaldi MD, PhD
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  8. A. Morra MD
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  9. M. M. J. McAuliffe PhD
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  10. P. Perini MD
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  11. L. Battistin MD, PhD
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  12. P. Gallo MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Calabrese MD.

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Calabrese, M., De Stefano, N., Atzori, M. et al. Extensive cortical inflammation is associated with epilepsy in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 255, 581–586 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-008-0752-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-008-0752-7

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