Systemic inflammation associates with and precedes cord atrophy in progressive multiple sclerosis

This study investigated the relationship between systemic inflammation and the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS), specifically focusing on brain and spinal cord atrophy. Systemic inflammation was measured using urinary neopterin levels, and MRI was used to assess brain and cervical spinal cord atrophy over a 2.5-year period. The study found that systemic inflammation was associated with cervical cord atrophy, suggesting that inflammation outside the central nervous system may contribute to the progression of disability in MS.

• 1
  Systemic inflammation, measured by urinary neopterin levels, predicts cervical cord atrophy in individuals with progressive MS.
• 2
  The association between the inflammatory response and cord atrophy depends on the level of background inflammation, suggesting a preconditioning effect.
• 3
  A time lag exists between systemic inflammation and cord atrophy, supporting the hypothesis that systemic inflammation contributes to the progression of MS.