Associations Between Brain Lesions and Exercise Capacity in Youth with MS
In a study of 33 youth with MS, higher lesion volumes were linked to lower maximum workload performance. Additionally, whole brain and thalamic volumes correlated positively with peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and maximum workload. VO2 peak was also associated with hippocampal dentate gyrus head volume.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Not graded
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
These findings suggest that brain structure may influence exercise capacity in youth with MS, which could help in understanding their physical limitations and inform future research.
What this does not prove
Future studies using longitudinal and interventional designs are needed to establish the directionality of these relationships.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- 33 · n = 33; 26F; median age 16.5years; IQR 1.91
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-26
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- youth with MS
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceHigher fitness levels associate with higher brain volume and lower lesion volume in youth with Multiple Sclerosis. ↗DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2026.108025
Supporting passages (9)
sample size33
sample size basisn = 33; 26F; median age 16.5years; IQR 1.91
populationyouth with MS
findingsRESULTS: We found associations between: (1) higher lesion volume and lower workload-max z-scores (r=-0.35, p = 0.04); (2) whole brain and thalamic volumes and VO2 peak (r = 0.55, p > 0.001; r = 0.41, p = 0.018) and maximum workload (whole brain volume, r = 0.45, p = 0.009); (3) VO2 peak and hippocampal dentate gyrus head volume (r = 0.36, p = 0.04).
findingsRESULTS: We found associations between: (1) higher lesion volume and lower workload-max z-scores (r=-0.35, p = 0.04); (2) whole brain and thalamic volumes and VO2 peak (r = 0.55, p > 0.001; r = 0.41, p = 0.018) and maximum workload (whole brain volume, r = 0.45, p = 0.009); (3) VO2 peak and hippocampal dentate gyrus head volume (r = 0.36, p = 0.04).
findingsRESULTS: We found associations between: (1) higher lesion volume and lower workload-max z-scores (r=-0.35, p = 0.04); (2) whole brain and thalamic volumes and VO2 peak (r = 0.55, p > 0.001; r = 0.41, p = 0.018) and maximum workload (whole brain volume, r = 0.45, p = 0.009); (3) VO2 peak and hippocampal dentate gyrus head volume (r = 0.36, p = 0.04).
limitationsFuture studies using longitudinal and interventional designs are needed to establish the directionality of these relationships.
publication date2026-10-26
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
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