Regional changes in thalamic shape and volume are related to cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis

The relationship between cognitive performance and regional thalamic atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been investigated in recent studies.

To further assess this relationship, 118 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 52 healthy controls underwent a neuropsychological assessment and a 3T-MRI (3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging). Cognitive performances were correlated with thalamic shape changes by using Vertex Analysis.

Information processing speed performance correlated with atrophy of frontal/motor-connected thalamic sub-regions. Inhibitory control performance correlated with atrophy of all thalamic sub-regions. Global cognitive status correlated with atrophy of frontal/temporal-connected sub-regions.

These findings support the hypothesis that, within the thalamus, the damage of the anterior regions is most relevant for cognitive dysfunction.