Claustrum Volume Is Reduced in Multiple Sclerosis and Predicts Disability

ABSTRACT Objective The claustrum is a small, thin structure of predominantly gray matter with broad connectivity and enigmatic function. Little is known regarding the impact of claustrum pathology in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods This study assessed whether claustrum volume was reduced in MS and...

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Main Authors: Nicole Shelley, Bradley Judge, Dmitriy A. Yablonskiy, Robert T. Naismith, Matthew R. Brier, Anne H. Cross
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.70020
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author Nicole Shelley
Bradley Judge
Dmitriy A. Yablonskiy
Robert T. Naismith
Matthew R. Brier
Anne H. Cross
author_facet Nicole Shelley
Bradley Judge
Dmitriy A. Yablonskiy
Robert T. Naismith
Matthew R. Brier
Anne H. Cross
author_sort Nicole Shelley
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Objective The claustrum is a small, thin structure of predominantly gray matter with broad connectivity and enigmatic function. Little is known regarding the impact of claustrum pathology in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods This study assessed whether claustrum volume was reduced in MS and whether reductions were associated with specific disability domains. We compared the impact of claustrum volume reductions on neurological disability versus the well‐studied thalamus. Data from the 15,793 participants in the MS PATHS study were used for primary analyses. A second cohort of 71 people with MS and healthy controls from our center was used for validation. Results Claustrum and thalamic volumes were reduced to a similar degree across MS types. Claustrum volume, like thalamic volume, was associated with disability measures of walking speed, upper extremity dexterity, and cognition. Partial correlation analyses supported that both claustrum and thalamic volumes independently contribute to disability. Interestingly, claustrum volume outperformed thalamic volume as a predictor of future disability progression. Interpretation This study suggests that damage and resulting atrophy to the claustrum may be an important component of MS‐related disability.
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spelling doaj-art-e69ad998a9654e91acb6b15d7018360b2025-08-20T02:40:14ZengWileyAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology2328-95032025-06-011261100110810.1002/acn3.70020Claustrum Volume Is Reduced in Multiple Sclerosis and Predicts DisabilityNicole Shelley0Bradley Judge1Dmitriy A. Yablonskiy2Robert T. Naismith3Matthew R. Brier4Anne H. Cross5Department of Neurology Washington University in St. Louis Saint Louis Missouri USADepartment of Neurology Washington University in St. Louis Saint Louis Missouri USADepartment of Radiology Washington University in St. Louis Saint Louis Missouri USADepartment of Neurology Washington University in St. Louis Saint Louis Missouri USADepartment of Neurology Washington University in St. Louis Saint Louis Missouri USADepartment of Neurology Washington University in St. Louis Saint Louis Missouri USAABSTRACT Objective The claustrum is a small, thin structure of predominantly gray matter with broad connectivity and enigmatic function. Little is known regarding the impact of claustrum pathology in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods This study assessed whether claustrum volume was reduced in MS and whether reductions were associated with specific disability domains. We compared the impact of claustrum volume reductions on neurological disability versus the well‐studied thalamus. Data from the 15,793 participants in the MS PATHS study were used for primary analyses. A second cohort of 71 people with MS and healthy controls from our center was used for validation. Results Claustrum and thalamic volumes were reduced to a similar degree across MS types. Claustrum volume, like thalamic volume, was associated with disability measures of walking speed, upper extremity dexterity, and cognition. Partial correlation analyses supported that both claustrum and thalamic volumes independently contribute to disability. Interestingly, claustrum volume outperformed thalamic volume as a predictor of future disability progression. Interpretation This study suggests that damage and resulting atrophy to the claustrum may be an important component of MS‐related disability.https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.70020claustrumdisabilitymagnetic resonance imagingmultiple sclerosisthalamus
spellingShingle Nicole Shelley
Bradley Judge
Dmitriy A. Yablonskiy
Robert T. Naismith
Matthew R. Brier
Anne H. Cross
Claustrum Volume Is Reduced in Multiple Sclerosis and Predicts Disability
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
claustrum
disability
magnetic resonance imaging
multiple sclerosis
thalamus
title Claustrum Volume Is Reduced in Multiple Sclerosis and Predicts Disability
title_full Claustrum Volume Is Reduced in Multiple Sclerosis and Predicts Disability
title_fullStr Claustrum Volume Is Reduced in Multiple Sclerosis and Predicts Disability
title_full_unstemmed Claustrum Volume Is Reduced in Multiple Sclerosis and Predicts Disability
title_short Claustrum Volume Is Reduced in Multiple Sclerosis and Predicts Disability
title_sort claustrum volume is reduced in multiple sclerosis and predicts disability
topic claustrum
disability
magnetic resonance imaging
multiple sclerosis
thalamus
url https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.70020
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