Novel fMRI working memory paradigm accurately detects cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) cannot be diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigms, such as the immediate/delayed memory task (I/DMT), detect varying degrees of working memory (WM). Preliminary findings using I/DMT showed differences in blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) activation between impaired (MSCI, n=12) and non-impaired (MSNI, n=9) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Objectives: The aim of the study was to confirm CI detection based on I/DMT BOLD activation in a larger cohort of MS patients. The role of T2 lesion volume (LV) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in magnitude of BOLD signal was also sought. Methods: A total of 50 patients (EDSS mean (m)=3.2, disease duration (DD) m=12years, and age m=40years) underwent the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) and I/DMT. Working memory activation (WMa) represents BOLD signal during DMT minus signal during IMT. CI was based on MACFIMS. Results: A total of 10 MSNI, 30 MSCI, and 4 borderline patients were included in the analyses. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed MSNI had significantly greater WMa than MSCI, in the left prefrontal cortex and left supplementary motor area (p=0.032). Regression analysis showed significant inverse correlations between WMa and T2 LV/EDSS in similar areas (p=0.005, 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: I/DMT-based BOLD activation detects CI in MS. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.