MS-Specific Brain Atrophy Patterns Observed in Humans
A systematic review identified specific brain atrophy patterns in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). MS-related atrophy is notably found in the bilateral dorsomedial thalamic nucleus and precentral gyrus, while AD-related atrophy is centered in the hippocampus-amygdala complex. Common patterns of atrophy were also observed in regions including the superior temporal gyrus and posterior cingulate cortex.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Moderate
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
Understanding the distinct brain atrophy patterns associated with MS and AD can help in developing more targeted diagnostic markers and interventions. However, current clinical approaches often focus on single diseases due to a lack of shared diagnostic indicators.
What this does not prove
The findings do not suggest any efficacy in treatments and emphasize a need for broader diagnostic frameworks that could benefit multiple diseases simultaneously.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Systematic review
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- Not applicable
- Controlled
- Not applicable
- Primary endpoint met
- Not applicable
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-14
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Not reported
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceGrey matter atrophy signatures and their genetic associations: a trans-disease study of Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. ↗DOI: 10.3389/fnimg.2026.1917609
Supporting passages (10)
subjectsTo map common and disease-specific grey matter (GM) atrophy patterns in AD and MS and identify their genetic correlations.
findingsMS-specific atrophy localized to the bilateral dorsomedial thalamic nucleus and precentral gyrus, whereas AD-specific atrophy centered on bilateral hippocampus-amygdala complex in age-unadjusted comparisons.
limitationsCurrent clinical interventions are largely confined to a single-disease approach, owing to the absence of trans-disease diagnostic markers and common therapeutic targets.
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-14
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article; Systematic Review
study designPublication types: Journal Article; Systematic Review
study phasePublication types: Journal Article; Systematic Review
randomizedPublication types: Journal Article; Systematic Review
controlledPublication types: Journal Article; Systematic Review
primary endpoint metPublication types: Journal Article; Systematic Review
AI assessment, not yet reviewed by a person · version 1 · Community votes are separate from evidence review.