AI-driven MRI analysis reveals brain atrophy patterns in benign relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
BackgroundThe existence and definition of benign multiple sclerosis (MS) remain controversial, particularly given the discrepancy between clinical presentation and underlying imaging changes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the brain atrophy patterns related to benign relapsing-remitting MS (...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neurology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1570566/full |
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| author | M. Niiranen M. Niiranen P. Bendel P. Bendel J. Koikkalainen J. Lötjönen T. Selander E. Solje E. Solje P. Hartikainen S. Simula R. Vanninen R. Vanninen A. M. Portaankorva |
| author_facet | M. Niiranen M. Niiranen P. Bendel P. Bendel J. Koikkalainen J. Lötjönen T. Selander E. Solje E. Solje P. Hartikainen S. Simula R. Vanninen R. Vanninen A. M. Portaankorva |
| author_sort | M. Niiranen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundThe existence and definition of benign multiple sclerosis (MS) remain controversial, particularly given the discrepancy between clinical presentation and underlying imaging changes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the brain atrophy patterns related to benign relapsing-remitting MS (BRRMS), particularly regarding location and extent.MethodsWe analyzed global and regional gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, WM lesion load, corpus callosum index (CCI) and corpus callosum area (CCA) in well-defined benign relapsing-remitting MS patients (BRRMS, n = 35) compared to healthy controls (HC, n = 35). Imaging data were analyzed using an AI-based volumetric analysis MRI (cNeuro®) and confirmed visually by an experienced neuroradiologist, ensuring robust validation.ResultsTotal brain tissue volume was significantly smaller in patients with BRRMS compared to HC (p < 0.001), but the cortical (p = 0.011) and cerebral (p = 0.002) GM volumes, as well as cingulate gyrus (p=0.032) and entorhinal area volumes (p < 0.001), were larger in BRRMS. GM volumes in the postcentral gyrus (p = 0.001), precentral gyrus (p < 0.001), the medial segment of the precentral gyrus (p < 0.001), supplementary motor cortex (p < 0.001) and thalamus (p < 0.001) were reduced in BRRMS compared to HC. Furthermore, both CCI and CCA were significantly smaller in BRRMS (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively).ConclusionsDespite the overall reduced brain volume compared to HC, distinct cortical regions, especially within the limbic system (i.e., cingulate gyrus and entorhinal area) GM may be relatively well preserved, indicating a possible compensatory volume increase. Based on this study, the corpus callosum is a crucial structure in monitoring disease progression in BRRMS. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0b1ce7e3a0da41628dd3e4cf7a3565ed |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-2295 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Neurology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0b1ce7e3a0da41628dd3e4cf7a3565ed2025-08-20T03:48:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-05-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15705661570566AI-driven MRI analysis reveals brain atrophy patterns in benign relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosisM. Niiranen0M. Niiranen1P. Bendel2P. Bendel3J. Koikkalainen4J. Lötjönen5T. Selander6E. Solje7E. Solje8P. Hartikainen9S. Simula10R. Vanninen11R. Vanninen12A. M. Portaankorva13Department of Neurology, Neuro Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, FinlandDepartment of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FinlandDepartment of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FinlandDepartment of Radiology, Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, FinlandCombinostics Ltd., Tampere, FinlandCombinostics Ltd., Tampere, FinlandScience Service Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, FinlandDepartment of Neurology, Neuro Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, FinlandDepartment of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FinlandDepartment of Neurology, Neuro Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, FinlandDepartment of Neurology, Mikkeli Central Hospital, Mikkeli, FinlandDepartment of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FinlandDepartment of Radiology, Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, FinlandClinical Neurosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandBackgroundThe existence and definition of benign multiple sclerosis (MS) remain controversial, particularly given the discrepancy between clinical presentation and underlying imaging changes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the brain atrophy patterns related to benign relapsing-remitting MS (BRRMS), particularly regarding location and extent.MethodsWe analyzed global and regional gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, WM lesion load, corpus callosum index (CCI) and corpus callosum area (CCA) in well-defined benign relapsing-remitting MS patients (BRRMS, n = 35) compared to healthy controls (HC, n = 35). Imaging data were analyzed using an AI-based volumetric analysis MRI (cNeuro®) and confirmed visually by an experienced neuroradiologist, ensuring robust validation.ResultsTotal brain tissue volume was significantly smaller in patients with BRRMS compared to HC (p < 0.001), but the cortical (p = 0.011) and cerebral (p = 0.002) GM volumes, as well as cingulate gyrus (p=0.032) and entorhinal area volumes (p < 0.001), were larger in BRRMS. GM volumes in the postcentral gyrus (p = 0.001), precentral gyrus (p < 0.001), the medial segment of the precentral gyrus (p < 0.001), supplementary motor cortex (p < 0.001) and thalamus (p < 0.001) were reduced in BRRMS compared to HC. Furthermore, both CCI and CCA were significantly smaller in BRRMS (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively).ConclusionsDespite the overall reduced brain volume compared to HC, distinct cortical regions, especially within the limbic system (i.e., cingulate gyrus and entorhinal area) GM may be relatively well preserved, indicating a possible compensatory volume increase. Based on this study, the corpus callosum is a crucial structure in monitoring disease progression in BRRMS.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1570566/fullcorpus callosum indexbrain atrophyMRIbenign multiple sclerosisbrain volumetry |
| spellingShingle | M. Niiranen M. Niiranen P. Bendel P. Bendel J. Koikkalainen J. Lötjönen T. Selander E. Solje E. Solje P. Hartikainen S. Simula R. Vanninen R. Vanninen A. M. Portaankorva AI-driven MRI analysis reveals brain atrophy patterns in benign relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis Frontiers in Neurology corpus callosum index brain atrophy MRI benign multiple sclerosis brain volumetry |
| title | AI-driven MRI analysis reveals brain atrophy patterns in benign relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis |
| title_full | AI-driven MRI analysis reveals brain atrophy patterns in benign relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis |
| title_fullStr | AI-driven MRI analysis reveals brain atrophy patterns in benign relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | AI-driven MRI analysis reveals brain atrophy patterns in benign relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis |
| title_short | AI-driven MRI analysis reveals brain atrophy patterns in benign relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis |
| title_sort | ai driven mri analysis reveals brain atrophy patterns in benign relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis |
| topic | corpus callosum index brain atrophy MRI benign multiple sclerosis brain volumetry |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1570566/full |
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