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- Title
Predictors of training-related improvement in visuomotor performance in patients with multiple sclerosis: A behavioural and MRI study.
- Authors
Lipp, Ilona; Foster, Catherine; Stickland, Rachael; Sgarlata, Eleonora; Tallantyre, Emma C; Davidson, Alison E; Robertson, Neil P; Jones, Derek K; Wise, Richard G; Tomassini, Valentina
- Abstract
Background: The development of tailored recovery-oriented strategies in multiple sclerosis requires early identification of an individual's potential for functional recovery. Objective: To identify predictors of visuomotor performance improvements, a proxy of functional recovery, using a predictive statistical model that combines demographic, clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Methods: Right-handed multiple sclerosis patients underwent baseline disability assessment and MRI of the brain structure, function and vascular health. They subsequently undertook 4 weeks of right upper limb visuomotor practice. Changes in performance with practice were our outcome measure. We identified predictors of improvement in a training set of patients using lasso regression; we calculated the best performing model in a validation set and applied this model to a test set. Results: Patients improved their visuomotor performance with practice. Younger age, better visuomotor abilities, less severe disease burden and concurrent use of preventive treatments predicted improvements. Neuroimaging localised outcome-relevant sensory motor regions, the microstructure and activity of which correlated with performance improvements. Conclusion: Initial characteristics, including age, disease duration, visuo-spatial abilities, hand dexterity, self-evaluated disease impact and the presence of disease-modifying treatments, can predict functional recovery in individual patients, potentially improving their clinical management and stratification in clinical trials. MRI is a correlate of outcome, potentially supporting individual prognosis.
- Subjects
MAGNETIC resonance imaging; FORECASTING; MULTIPLE sclerosis; PROGNOSIS; VISUOMOTOR coordination
- Publication
Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 2021, Vol 27, Issue 7, p1088
- ISSN
1352-4585
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/1352458520943788