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Abstract #3121

Gray Matter Damage Predicts the Accumulation of Disability and Cognitive Impairment 13 Years Later in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Maria A. Rocca1, Paolo Preziosa1, Massimiliano Copetti2, Gianna Riccitelli1, Roberta Messina1, Giancarlo Comi3, Massimo Filippi1

1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy; 2Biostatistics Unit, IRCCS-Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; 3Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy


We assessed the value of conventional and magnetization transfer (MT) MRI quantities of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and gray matter (GM) damage and their 12-month changes in predicting the accumulation of disability and cognitive impairment after 13 years in 73 multiple sclerosis (MS). At 13-year follow-up, 63% patients showed a significant disability worsening and 30% were cognitively impaired. MTR and atrophy measures of GM damage at baseline were the only predictors of disability worsening and cognitive impairment at 13 years.