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Abstract #1091

The Cortical Signature of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Paola Valsasina1, Federica Agosta1, Nilo Riva2, Massimiliano Copetti3, Michele Perini4, Alessandro Prelle5, Domenico Caputo6, Fabrizio Salvi7, Maria Jos Messina2, Giancarlo Comi2, Massimo Filippi1

1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy; 2Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy; 3Biostatistics Unit, IRCCS-Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; 4Department of Neurology, Ospedale di Gallarate, Gallarate, Italy; 5Neurologic Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Fatebenefratelli e Oftalmico, Milan, Italy; 6Department of Neurology, Scientific Institute Fondazione Don Gnocchi, Milan, Italy; 7Department of Neurology, Ospedale di Bellaria, Bologna, Italy

In this study, we explored differences of regional cortical thickness (CT) between a large group of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and matched healthy controls. We also assessed whether cortical thinning in these patients is associated with clinical variables. Results indicated a significant bilateral thinning of sensorimotor, frontal, insular, temporal, parietal and occipital cortices. Mean CT of the sensorimotor, frontal and temporal cortices was able to distinguish patients with ALS from healthy controls. Decreased CT in sensorimotor regions was more strongly associated with age in ALS patients than in controls, and it was correlated with disease progression rate.

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Keywords

ability accurate acquisition additional alterations assessed assessing association bilateral bilaterally biostatistics bologna brain clinical coefficient concordance contribute controls correlations cortex cortical cortices course damage degree described determine development diagnosis diagnostic disability discriminatory disease distinguished distinguishing distributed estimation experimental extra faster frontal generated gradient greater healthy hemisphere identify increasing index inferior institute investigate involvement lateral likely linear logistic magnetization maria marker measure measures medial might models motor need neurology objective occipital parietal part patients pattern prepared procedure prognosis progression progressive rage rapid rapidly reconstruction regional regression related relation relatively robust salute scientific sclerosis seem sensitive signature stronger suggest suggesting suite superior surfer temporal thinning topography uncorrected unit urgent variable variables ventral vertex vita whether widespread