Three dimensional MRI estimates of brain and spinal cord atrophy in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Significant cerebral and spinal cord volume reductions occurred in both patient subgroups compared with controls. Functional correlates were found with estimated volume loss in the upper cervical cord and cerebral white matter. Particularly for infratentorial structures, estimated rates of atrophy were higher in relapsing-remitting than secondary progressive patients, suggesting that atrophy, perhaps mainly due to tract degeneration, begins early in multiple sclerosis and may relate predominantly to acute inflammatory events, with or without other gradual non-inflammatory processes later in the disease course.