Sex-related differences in upper limb motor function in healthy subjects and multiple sclerosis patients: a multiparametric MRI study

Bonacchi, Raffaello; Valsasina, Paola; Pagani, Elisabetta; Meani, Alessandro; Preziosa, Paolo; Rocca, Maria A.; Filippi, Massimo

doi:10.1007/s00415-023-11948-z

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Firstly, sex-related differences in cerebellar pathology are still poorly explored in MS, which is at odds with the level of interest of these differences in other aspects of the disease. However, we have uncovered one very recent MRI study exploring the effect of sex on upper extremity function (with the 9-hole peg test) and potential anatomical and functional substrates, 80 where sex-related differences were identified in the cerebellar network, with a stronger negative correlation in the left cerebellum in men compared to women. Although these correlations appear to mirror sex-related anatomical differences, the limitation of these studies is the moderate sample size (n = 50-70 per group), which also precludes further determination of relationships with distinct MS phenotypes.…”

Section: Cerebellar Disease In Multiple Sclerosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Cerebellar pathology in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: current status and future directions

Maxwell,

Orian

2023

J Cent Nerv Syst Dis

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Recent decades have witnessed significant progress in understanding mechanisms driving neurodegeneration and disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), but with a focus on the cerebrum. In contrast, there have been limited studies of cerebellar disease, despite the common occurrence of cerebellar symptoms in this disorder. These rare studies, however, highlight the early cerebellar involvement in disease development and an association between the early occurrence of cerebellar lesions and risk of worse prognosis. In parallel developments, it has become evident that far from being a region specialized in movement control, the cerebellum plays a crucial role in cognitive function, via circuitry connecting the cerebellum to association areas of the cerebrum. This complexity, coupled with challenges in imaging of the cerebellum have been major obstacles in the appreciation of the spatio-temporal evolution of cerebellar damage in MS and correlation with disability and progression. MS studies based on animal models have relied on an induced neuroinflammatory disease known as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), in rodents and non-human primates (NHP). EAE has played a critical role in elucidating mechanisms underpinning tissue damage and been validated for the generation of proof-of-concept for cerebellar pathological processes relevant to MS. Additionally, rodent and NHP studies have formed the cornerstone of current knowledge of functional anatomy and cognitive processes. Here, we propose that improved insight into consequences of cerebellar damage in MS at the functional, cellular and molecular levels would be gained by more extensive characterization of EAE cerebellar pathology combined with the power of experimental paradigms in the field of cognition. Such combinatorial approaches would lead to improved potential for the development of MS sensitive markers and evaluation of candidate therapeutics.

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Section: Cerebellar Disease In Multiple Sclerosismentioning

confidence: 99%