AUTHOR=Tian De-Cai , Xiu Yuwen , Wang Xinli , Shi Kaibin , Fan Moli , Li Ting , Li Huining , Su Lei , Ma Yuetao , Xu Wangshu , Song Tian , Liu Yaou , Shi Fu-Dong , Zhang Xinghu 

TITLE=Cortical Thinning and Ventricle Enlargement in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.00872

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2020.00872

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=BACKGROUND: In neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) inflammation is not the sole driver of accumulation of disability, neurodegeneration is another important pathological process. We aim to explore different patterns of cortical atrophy and ventricular enlargement in NMOSD. 
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 230 subjects, comprising of 55 healthy controls (HCs), 85 MS and 90 NMOSD patients from Tianjin Medical University General Hospital and Beijing Tiantan Hospital. Different compartments of the brain (total grey, cortex, subcortex grey, and ventricle volume) were evaluated with the Freesurfer. Multiple linear regressions were adopted to explore associations between cortex volume and predict factors.
RESULTS:  Compared to HCs, NMOSD and MS displayed an enlarged lateral and 3rd ventricle (p<0.001), whilst expansion of the 4th ventricle was observed in MS rather than NMOSD (p=0.321). MS and NMOSD patients exhibited cortical thinning in comparison with HCs. However, pronounced cortical atrophy were only significant in precuneus, parahippocampal and lateral occipital lobe between MS and NMOSD. Patients with NMOSD had decreased local gyrification index in orbitofrontal and precuneus lobe, and reduced pial surface area. Linear regression analysis revealed cortex volume were predicated by advanced age (standardized β=-0.404, p=0.001) as well as prolonged disease history (standardized β=-0.311, p=0.006).
CONCLUSION:  NMOSD exhibited global cortex atrophy with enlarged lateral and 3rd ventricle. Moreover, cortex volume is associated with age and disease duration.