Decline in Brain Volume Driven by Gray Matter Atrophy in MS Patients Despite Tysabri Treatment

BY JONATHAN GRINSTEIN

This finding points to new markers for MS disease progression, and the need to monitor the effectiveness of treatment using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The research article, Gray matter atrophy in multiple sclerosis despite clinical and lesion stability during natalizumab treatment,” was published in the journal PLOS ONE. 

Brain volume loss is an important marker for assessing atrophy and disability in MS patients. However, the contribution of gray and white matter to whole brain volume loss in MS warrants further examination. Additionally, there is a need to identify markers to assess the effectiveness of known disease-modifying treatments so that MS patients can receive optimal care.

Brain atrophy measurements, both global and regional (whole and partial), assess net tissue damage, reflecting the sum of demyelination — damage to the protective coat (called myelin) that surrounds nerve fibers — and injury and loss of brain cells. Global brain atrophy has predictive importance for MS disease progression, while regional brain atrophy is a more sensitive and reliable indicator of disease status.

#Tysabri, marketed by #Biogen, is a monoclonal antibody that has potent anti-inflammatory effects, and is able to reduce relapses and disability progression in patients with relapsing-remitting #MS (RRMS).

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