RESUMO
Background: multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating disease with a neurodegenerative component mainly characterized by progressive accumulation of focal white matter [WM] lesions. The degree of cortical damage at baseline was associated with the progression of disability. Cognitive deficits could be better explained by cortical lesions [CLs] than by WM lesions. Fatigue in MS could be due to damage to the cortico striato thalamo cortical circuit
Aim of the Work: to detect [CLs] in MS patients and correlate these lesions with physical disability, cognitive dysfunction and fatigue
Subjects and Methods: a case-control study on 64 subjects including 44 known multiple sclerosis patients diagnosed according to revised McDonald's criteria 2017
Results: we observed a statistically significant difference between MS patients and healthy controls as regard number of [CLs], Symbol Digit Modality Test [SDMT], Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS] and P300 wave latencies and amplitudes. Secondary progressive [SPMS] subgroup was affected more than relapsing remitting [RRMS] subgroup. [CLs] were located mainly in temporal lobes
Conclusion: This study suggested that cortical affection is directly associated with physical and cognitive disability progression