dimethyl fumarate may be neuroprotective
Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 6:01 am
Effect of dimethyl fumarate on gray and white matter pathology in subjects with relapsing multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... 13562/full
Abstract
Background
Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an oral treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with anti-inflammatory and possible neuroprotective properties. Its effect on white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) pathology is still not fully understood.
Objective
To characterize the effect of DMF on normal appearing WM (NAWM) and thalamic pathology longitudinally.
Methods
In this observational, longitudinal, 24-month MRI study, 75 RRMS treated with DMF and 40 age- and sex- matched healthy individuals (HIs) were enrolled. Regional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics and tract based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyses were used to assess differences between groups. Mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured in the thalamus and NAWM. Baseline differences and changes over time were evaluated within and between study groups.
Results
At baseline, MS patients showed significantly increased diffusivity and decreased FA in the thalamus (p<0.001 for MD, AD and RD) and NAWM (all p <0.016) compared to HIs. No significant within-group difference was found in DTI measures over 24 months, in either group. HIs showed a significantly greater rate of increased diffusivity parameters in the thalamus and NAWM, compared to MS patients, over 24 months (p<0.05).
Conclusions
The lack of changes in DTI metrics in MS patients over 24 months possibly indicates a neuroprotective role of DMF. These findings provide additional evidence of the beneficial effect of DMF on MS-related pathology.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... 13562/full
Abstract
Background
Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an oral treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with anti-inflammatory and possible neuroprotective properties. Its effect on white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) pathology is still not fully understood.
Objective
To characterize the effect of DMF on normal appearing WM (NAWM) and thalamic pathology longitudinally.
Methods
In this observational, longitudinal, 24-month MRI study, 75 RRMS treated with DMF and 40 age- and sex- matched healthy individuals (HIs) were enrolled. Regional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics and tract based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyses were used to assess differences between groups. Mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured in the thalamus and NAWM. Baseline differences and changes over time were evaluated within and between study groups.
Results
At baseline, MS patients showed significantly increased diffusivity and decreased FA in the thalamus (p<0.001 for MD, AD and RD) and NAWM (all p <0.016) compared to HIs. No significant within-group difference was found in DTI measures over 24 months, in either group. HIs showed a significantly greater rate of increased diffusivity parameters in the thalamus and NAWM, compared to MS patients, over 24 months (p<0.05).
Conclusions
The lack of changes in DTI metrics in MS patients over 24 months possibly indicates a neuroprotective role of DMF. These findings provide additional evidence of the beneficial effect of DMF on MS-related pathology.