Maria
A. Rocca1, Gianna Riccitelli1, Cristina Forn1,
Bruno Colombo2, Giancarlo Comi2, Massimo Filippi1
1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute
of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute and
University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; 2Department of
Neurology, Scientific Institute and University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan,
Italy
Using
voxel-based morphometry, we defined the topographical distribution of gray matter (GM) atrophy in multiple
sclerosis (MS) patients with fatigue. Compared to healthy volunteers and to
MS patients without fatigue, patients with fatigue had reduced GM volume in
several areas of the left frontal lobe, including the middle frontal gyrus
(MFG), the precentral gyrus, the superior and inferior frontal gyrus, and the
cingulate gyrus. Fatigue severity was significantly correlated with atrophy
of the precentral gyrus, suggesting that structural damage in areas that are
part of the sensorimotor network might be among the mechanisms responsible
for the presence of MS-related fatigue.