A widespread pattern of cortical activations in patients at presentation with clinically isolated symptoms is associated with evolution to definite multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Movement-associated cortical changes have been detected at the earlier clinical stage multiple sclerosis. Our purpose was to assess whether different patterns of cortical recruitment are associated with the short-term evolution of definite multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
We followed for 1 year a group of patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CISs) suggestive of MS and compared the baseline movement-associated patterns of cortical activations between those patients with and those without evolution to definite MS.


RESULTS
Those patients in whom MS did not evolve had more significant activations of several areas part of the "classic" motor network; those who went on to develop MS had more significant activations of several regions in the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.


CONCLUSIONS
In CIS patients, the extent of early cortical reorganization following tissue injury might be a factor associated with a different disease evolution.
Rocca
Maria A
MA
Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Mezzapesa
Domenico M
DM
Ghezzi
Angelo
A
Falini
Andrea
A
Martinelli
Vittorio
V
Scotti
Giuseppe
G
Comi
Giancarlo
G
Filippi
Massimo
M
D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors