Elisabetta Pagani1, Maria A. Rocca1, Giulia Longoni1, Gianna Riccitelli1, Bruno Colombo2, Mariaemma Rodegher2, Andrea Falini3, 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; 3Department of Neuroradiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, Italy
Hippocampal manual segmentation and radial assessment of atrophy distribution were applied in a large group of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients imaged at 3.0 Tesla. Radial atrophy was detected in the lateral portion of the body and tail (CA1 subfield) and in the subiculum, bilaterally. Significant correlations were found between left CA1 atrophy and verbal learning performance, as well as with performance in spatial cognition tasks. Moreover, right CA1 atrophy correlated with visuo-spatial memory performance. The use of a regional approach allowed to detect a regional pattern of hippocampal damage which may contribute to explain MS-related neuropsychological impairment.