A recent study published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal found that microstructural damage to the lower corpus callosum and superior cerebellar peduncle, as well as abnormal resting-state functional connectivity, affect executive function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

According to the findings, lower corpus callosum fractional anisotropy, lower left working-memory network, and right working-memory network resting-state functional connectivity were predictors of worse working memory/updating performance in patients with MS.

In contrast, lower executive control network, higher default-mode network, and salience network resting-state functional connectivity were predictors of better working memory/updating performance.

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The researchers also showed that lower corpus callosum genu fractional anisotropy, lower left working-memory network, and default-mode network resting-state functional connectivity were predictors of worse attention performance, while higher left working-memory network and executive control network resting-state functional connectivity were predictors of better attention performance.

Moreover, lower corpus callosum genu and superior cerebellar peduncle fractional anisotropy and lower left working-memory network resting-state functional connectivity were found to be predictors of worse shifting/inhibition performance, whereas higher executive control network resting-state functional connectivity predicted better performance.

The study included 116 patients with MS and 65 controls to investigate structural and functional abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). According to Marchesi et al, “Executive dysfunctions, including difficulties in attention, working memory, planning, and inhibition affect 15% to 28% of [MS] patients.”

Reference

Marchesi O, Bonacchi R, Valsasina P, et al. Functional and structural MRI correlates of executive functions in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. Published online August 13, 2021. doi:10.1177/13524585211033184

MRI Neurologists