• Raoof Negaresh, Reza Gharakhanlou, Mohammad Ali Sahraian, Maryam Abolhasani, Robert W Motl, and Philipp Zimmer.
• Department of Sport Physiology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
• J Neuroimaging. 2021 Jul 1; 31 (4): 714-723.

Background And PurposePhysical activity may represent a disease-modifying therapy in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). To date, there is limited research regarding mechanisms based on brain imaging for understanding the beneficial effects of physical activity in pwMS. This study examined the relationship between physical activity levels and thalamic and hippocampal volumes and brain metabolism in pwMS.MethodsThe sample of 52 pwMS (37.3 ± 9.6 years of age; 35 females, 17 males) underwent a combination of volumetric magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Current and lifetime physical activity were assessed using actigraphy and the adapted version of the Historical Activity Questionnaire, respectively.ResultsPositive associations were observed between both actigraphy and self-reported levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and thalamic and hippocampal volumes. Regarding brain metabolism, actigraphy and self-reported levels of MVPA were positively associated with higher hippocampal and thalamic levels of N-acetylaspartate/creatine ratio (NAA/Cr: marker of neural integrity and cell energy state).ConclusionsThis study provides novel evidence for a positive association between physical activity and thalamic and hippocampal volume and metabolism in pwMS. These findings support the hypothesis that physical activity, particularly MVPA, may serve as a disease-modifying treatment by improving brain health in pwMS.© 2021 American Society of Neuroimaging.

16 keywords...

hide…