Studies Examine Potential Biomarkers in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Two recent studies presented at the 4th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology examined the different effects and aspects of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). One study aimed to investigate the contribution of the spinal cord area and brain volume to disability in people with secondary progressive MS (SP-MS), finding that the spinal cord area represents an increasing promise as a marker of disability.

The study

was a randomized phase 2 clinical trial (MS-SMART), of which the patients underwent neurological assessments, such as brain and cervical cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Specifically, the mean upper cervical-cord cross-sectional area (MUCCA), normalized brain volume (NBV), expanded disability status scale (EDSS), MS functional composite (MSFC), and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), were measured. The researchers used the measurements and analyzed the associations of MRI variables with clinical scores.

A total of 60 patients were included in the study and the multivariable linear regression analyses of the neurological assessments shows that MUCCA and NBV were independently associated with EDSS. Also, MUCCA, not NBV, was associated with MSFC, while both MUCCA and NBV were independently associated with SDMT.

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