MS research update - 18 December 2009
- Family history of MS linked to lower age of MS onset
- Depression in people with MS linked to higher number of lesions in specific regions of the brain
- Impact of MS on early pension and unemployment
Family history of MS linked to lower age of MS onset
Whilst MS is not an inherited condition, genes are known to play a role and family members of people with MS have a very slightly increased risk of developing the condition. The present study compared the clinical characteristics of people with MS where there was a family history of MS, with people with MS where there was no family history of the condition. In a cohort of 1,110 people with MS, people were identified as 'familial MS' cases if they had at least one relative of first or second degree in their family diagnosed with MS. People with MS who did not have at least one relative of first or second degree in their family diagnosed with MS were identified as 'sporadic MS' cases.
Comparisons were made between the age at onset between relatives from different generations; and between the age at onset between the familial and sporadic MS cases.
A lower age at onset was found in the younger generations of familial MS cases and a significantly lower age at onset was found in the familial MS cases when compared with the sporadic MS cases. The study suggests that a family history of MS predisposes family members who develop MS to an earlier age of MS onset.
Romero-Pinel L, Martinez-Yelamos S, Gubieras L, et al.
Anticipation of age at onset in familial multiple sclerosis.
European Journal of Neurology 2009; [Epub ahead of print].
Medline abstract
Depression in people with MS linked to higher number of lesions in specific regions of the brain
Advances in brain imaging techniques in recent years have provided new insight into a link between changes in brain structure and mental health conditions such as depression. The present study used an advanced brain imaging technique known as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to determine whether there is any link between depression and brain abnormalities in people with MS.
In the present study, 62 people with MS were assessed for depression using a standardized clinical measure. Individuals underwent diffusion tensor imaging and the characteristics of the scans of depressed people with MS compared alongside the scans of non-depressed people with MS. The scans of people who were assessed as being depressed showed a significantly higher number of MS lesions in one specific region of the brain when compared to the scans of people who were not depressed. Further abnormalities common to the brain scans of depressed people with MS suggested that depression may be attributed to the changes that occur in the brain as a result of the damage that occurs in MS.
Feinstein A, O'Connor P, Akbar N, et al.
Diffusion tensor imaging abnormalities in depressed multiple sclerosis patients.
Multiple Sclerosis 2009; [Epub ahead of print].
Medline abstract
Impact of MS on early pension and unemployment
Previous studies have investigated the impact of MS on an individual's ability to stay in employment. The present Danish study investigated the course of working life in 2,538 people with MS on the Danish MS-Registry in terms of the probability of early pension and income development.
The findings of the study pointed to a significantly higher probability of early pension in people with MS compared to the general population. Importantly, the increased probability of early pension was distinct after five years of onset of MS and continues to increase over time. Based on this cohort of people, people with MS only have a 20% chance of being in employment 20 years after the onset of MS. Due to the lower rate of income for an early pension gross income was lower in people with MS when compared to the general population.
The authors conclude that MS seriously affects the economic life of people with MS even within a few years of onset.
Pfleger CC, Flachs EM, Koch-Henriksen N, et al.
Social consequences of multiple sclerosis (1): early pension and temporary unemployment - a historical prospective cohort study.
Multiple Sclerosis 2009; [Epub ahead of print].
View abstract