Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32062567›Full record

ArticleNeuroImage. Clinical2020

Voxel-based analysis of gray matter relaxation rates shows different correlation patterns for cognitive impairment and physical disability in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Maria Teresa Cassiano, Roberta Lanzillo, Bruno Alfano, Teresa Costabile, Marco Comerci, Anna Prinster, Marcello Moccia, Rosario Megna, Vincenzo Brescia Morra, Mario Quarantelli and 1 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in NeuroImage. Clinical, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
1.0field-weighted citation impact, top 25% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Heterogeneous Deep Gray Matter Iron Deposition Patterns across Multiple Sclerosis Subgroups Defined by the Clinico-Radiological Paradox.Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics · 2026
    Article
  2. Review
  3. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Maria Teresa CassianoDepartment of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Via Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Roberta LanzilloDepartment of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
Bruno AlfanoBiostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Via De Amicis, 95, 80145 Naples, Italy.
Teresa CostabileDepartment of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
Marco ComerciBiostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Via De Amicis, 95, 80145 Naples, Italy.
Anna PrinsterBiostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Via De Amicis, 95, 80145 Naples, Italy.
Marcello MocciaDepartment of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
Rosario MegnaBiostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Via De Amicis, 95, 80145 Naples, Italy.
Vincenzo Brescia MorraDepartment of Neurosciences, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
Mario QuarantelliBiostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Via De Amicis, 95, 80145 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: quarante@unina.it.
Arturo BrunettiDepartment of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Via Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging · ITFederico II University Hospital · IT

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRegional analyses of markers of microstructural gray matter (GM) changes, including relaxation rates, have shown inconsistent correlations with physical and cognitive impairment in MS.

objectiveTo assess voxelwise the correlation of the R1 and R2 relaxation rates with the physical and cognitive impairment in MS.

methodsGM R1 and R2 relaxation rate maps were obtained in 241 relapsing-remitting MS patients by relaxometric segmentation of MRI studies. Correlations with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the percentage of impaired cognitive test (Brief Repeatable Battery and Stroop Test, available in 186 patients) were assessed voxelwise, including voxel GM content as nuisance covariate to remove the effect of atrophy on the correlations.

resultsExtensive clusters of inverse correlation between EDSS and R2 were detected throughout the brain, while inverse correlations with R1 were mostly limited to perirolandic and supramarginal cortices. Cognitive impairment correlated negatively with R1, and to a lesser extent with R2, in the middle frontal, mesial temporal, midcingulate and medial parieto-occipital cortices.

conclusionIn relapsing-remitting MS patients, GM microstructural changes correlate diffusely with physical disability, independent of atrophy, with a preferential role of the sensorimotor cortices. Neuronal damage in the limbic system and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices correlates with cognitive dysfunction.

Indexed as

AdultBrainCognitive DysfunctionDisability EvaluationFemaleGray MatterHumansImage Interpretation, Computer-AssistedMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMultiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-RemittingRetrospective StudiesAtrophyCognitive impairmentMultiple sclerosisQuantitative MRIRelapsing/remittingRelaxation rates

Identifiers

PMID32062567
PMCPMC7025083
OpenAlexW3003515646

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.