Aerobic capacity moderates the association between cervical cord atrophy and clinical disability in mildly disabled multiple sclerosis patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Spinal cord volume loss is associated with clinical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Aerobic capacity may mitigate the impact of central nervous system (CNS) damage accumulation, exerting beneficial effects on MS-related disability.

Objectives

We investigated whether aerobic capacity could moderate the association between spinal cord atrophy and clinical disability in MS.

Methods

In this cross-sectional analysis, expanded disability status scale (EDSS), peak of oxygen consumption (VO₂peak), brain volumetric measures, and the normalized mean upper cervical cord area (nMUCCA) were collected from 51 MS patients and 33 healthy controls (HCs). Low aerobic capacity was defined as having a VO₂peak z-score less than -1.64 standard deviat

SUBMITTER: Albergoni M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12008468 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature