Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42518178›Full record

Observational studyBrain and behavior2026

Retinal Layer Thickness for Risk Stratification of Progression Independent of Relapse Activity in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Andre Braginets, Frederike Cosima Oertel, Eva-Maria Strauß, Carla Leutloff, Tanja Schmitz-Hübsch, Friedemann Paul, Susanna Asseyer, Rebecca Wicklein, Bernhard Hemmer, Klemens Ruprecht and 3 more

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Brain and behavior, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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

13 authors.

Andre BraginetsExperimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8669-2804
Frederike Cosima OertelExperimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4906-5983
Eva-Maria StraußDepartment of Neurology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Carla LeutloffExperimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4074-9717
Tanja Schmitz-HübschExperimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4833-5937
Friedemann PaulExperimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6378-0070
Susanna AsseyerExperimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6289-1791
Rebecca WickleinDepartment of Neurology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6661-6081
Bernhard HemmerDepartment of Neurology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5985-6784
Klemens RuprechtDivision of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1962-6014
Hanna Gwendolyn ZimmermannExperimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0276-8051
Benjamin KnierDepartment of Neurology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4187-9472
Ting-Yi LinExperimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9605-8095

Funding

Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und TechnologieClinspect-M consortiumDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 528297171HORIZON EUROPE Framework ProgrammeNovartis Pharma
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIdentifying people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (pwRRMS) at risk of progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) remains an unmet clinical need. Optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived measures of retinal neuroaxonal damage may provide prognostic value. This study aimed to evaluate whether peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIP) thickness predict PIRA within a heterogenous group of pwRRMS.

methodsWe retrospectively screened pwRRMS with ≥ 2 years relapse-free follow-up from prospective observational cohort studies in Berlin (n = 74) and Munich (n = 146). PIRA was defined as disability worsening, determined by method-specific thresholds across multimodal assessments, sustained until end of follow-up. Analyses were restricted to non-optic neuritis eyes. Cox hazard models were used to assess the adjusted hazard (aHR) of PIRA with age-adjusted pRNFL or GCIP Z-scores.

resultsOut of 220 pwRRMS (age: 38.1 ± 9.9 years), 65 (29.5%) developed PIRA over a follow-up of 2.9 [IQR: 1.6-4.1] years. No associations between OCT measures and PIRA were found within the overall study population or Munich cohort. In the Berlin cohort, thinner pRNFL predicted PIRA (aHR [95% CI] = 1.41 [1.03-1.92], p = 0.032), while GCIP did not (aHR [95% CI] = 1.38 [0.90-2.10], p = 0.140).

conclusionsOCT measurements do not predict the hazard of PIRA within a heterogeneous group of pwRRMS. However, they have potential prognostic value in early disease stages. Clinical characteristics might influence the association and require further investigation.

Indexed as

Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-RemittingRetinaAdultDisease ProgressionFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNerve FibersRecurrenceRetinal Ganglion CellsRetrospective StudiesTomography, Optical Coherencemultiple sclerosis (MS)optical coherence tomography (OCT)progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA)retinal layer thickness

Identifiers

PMID42518178
PMCPMC13411297

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Registered trials

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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.