Changes in brain atrophy indices in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with natalizumab.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of natalizumab on progression of brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and to search for a clinical or radiological marker of progression of brain atrophy. We retrospectively recorded demographic and clinical data, as well as the corpus callosum index (CCI) using MRI, in MS patients treated with natalizumab for 1-4 years. In the study population (n = 29), baseline mean CCI was 0.37 ± 0.04 and final CCI 0.36 ± 0.04. 17 patients did not develop brain atrophy during follow-up. There was no statistically significant relationship between progression of atrophy and clinical and radiological parameters. Natalizumab may have a neuroprotective effect.