P112. The cerebellum and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite Score: Voxel based morphometry identifies cerebellar regional gray matter loss correlating with walking ability, dexterity and cognitive function

Abstract

Background The human cerebellum is involved in both motor and cognitive functions. In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), overall cerebellar gray matter (GM) volume loss has been previously described. We therefore hypothesized that regional cerebellar GM loss could be correlated with the subtests of the Multiple Sclerosis functional Composite Score (MSFC: timed 25-foot walk, 9-hole peg test, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test). Patients and methods Voxel based morphometry (VBM) was used to investigate regional gray matter decline by calculating individual GM images from 45 MS patients using the VBM tool for the software statistic parametric mapping (SPM). Correlation analyses were performed on the MSFC subtests and the individual GM images. Results Each component of the MSFC was associated with a distinct regional cerebellar GM decrease. Impaired walking ability correlated with regional volume loss in lobule VI ( t = 5.16; p unc. t = 3.95; p unc. t = 4.81; p unc. Discussion We demonstrate correlation of distinct regional cerebellar volume changes with each of the tasks out of the MSFC. Our data emphasize the importance of cerebellar gray pathophysiology in MS.