Differential cerebellar activation on functional magnetic resonance imaging during working memory performance in persons with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the potential role of the cerebellum in working memory dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to examine cerebellar activation during a working memory task.


METHODS
University-affiliated medical rehabilitation facility.


METHODS
Eight persons with MS and 5 healthy controls.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Change in hemodynamic response. fMRI data were acquired and subsequently analyzed by using Statistical Parametric Mapping.


RESULTS
Both the control and MS groups showed significantly greater activations in the right cerebellar hemisphere as compared with the left side. Persons with MS, however, showed no detectable activations in 4 cerebellar substructures that were significantly active in controls (ie, right vermis, right dentate nucleus, right tonsil, cerebellar peduncle).


CONCLUSIONS
The significantly decreased cerebellar activation in the MS group suggests that the cerebellum may play a role in the working memory impairment observed in MS.
Li
Yali
Y
Southside Hospital, Bay Shore, NY, USA.
Chiaravalloti
Nancy D
ND
Hillary
Frank G
FG
Deluca
John
J
Liu
Wen-Ching
WC
Kalnin
Andrew J
AJ
Ricker
Joseph H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis