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Abstract #3611

Influence of Depression and Fatigue on the Regional Distribution of Brain Damage in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Paola Valsasina1, Maria A. Rocca1, Gianna Riccitelli1, Claudio Gobbi1, 2, Elisabetta Pagani1, Paolo Preziosa1, Vittorio Martinelli3, Giancarlo Comi3, Massimo Filippi1

1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, MI, Italy; 2Department of Neurology, Neurocentre of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, TI, Switzerland; 3Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, MI, Italy


We investigated whether depression in 123 multiple sclerosis (MS) is related to specific pattern of lesion distribution and gray matter (GM) and white matter regional atrophy and their modulation by presence of fatigue. A positive interaction was detected between depression and fatigue at the level of the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG). Depression had a selective effect on atrophy of the left precentral gyrus and right inferior frontal gyrus. Depression in MS is linked to GM atrophy of regions located in the bilateral frontal lobes. The concomitant presence of depression and fatigue is associated to atrophy of the right SFG.