Enlarged choroid plexus related to cortical atrophy in multiple sclerosis

Objectives To investigate the correlation between choroid plexus volume and whole brain morphology in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Methods Fifty-one patients with MS, 42 patients with NMOSD, and 56 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. The morphological changes in choroid plexus and whole brain tissue were compared between three groups and the correlations between choroid plexus volume and brain atrophy were further investigated. The longitudinal alterations of brain morphology in 25 MS and 20 NMOSD patients were compared. Results Compared to the HC group, the choroid plexus volumes were increased in the MS group (p < 0.001) but not in the NMOSD group (p > 0.05). Compared to the HC group, the MS group showed reduced cortex thickness, deep gray matter volume, and increased ventricle system volume, and the NMOSD group showed increased third ventricle volume (all p < 0.05, false discovery rate corrected). In the MS group, there were widespread correlations between enlarged choroid plexus volume and reduced cerebral cortex thickness (p < 0.05, r = -0.292 similar to-0.538, false discovery rate corrected). The interval time was not significantly different between the MS (median: 1.37 years) and NMOSD group (median: 1.25 years) (p > 0.05). In MS, compared with the baseline, the right hippocampus and nucleus accumbens volumes were decreased in long follow-up, and bilateral lateral ventricle volumes were increased both in short and long follow-up (all p < 0.05, false discovery rate corrected). Conclusions The enlarged choroid plexus related to reduced cortical thickness and progressive local brain atrophy are shown in MS patients, but not obvious in NMOSD patients. Key Points MS and NMOSD have different altered patterns in choroid plexus volume and brain atrophy. The enlarged choroid plexus related to brain atrophy is shown in MS patients, but not obvious in NMOSD patients. Progressive local brain atrophy is shown in MS patients, but not obvious in NMOSD patients.

Automated summary

This study investigated the correlation between choroid plexus volume and whole brain morphology in patients with MS and NMOSD. The findings showed that choroid plexus volumes were increased in the MS group but not in the NMOSD group. MS patients also exhibited reduced cortical thickness and increased ventricle system volume, while NMOSD patients showed increased third ventricle volume. Furthermore, the enlarged choroid plexus was associated with reduced cortical thickness in the MS group.