Thalamic atrophy moderates associations among aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance in persons with multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Thalamic atrophy (TA) represents a biomarker of neurodegeneration and associated dysfunction/decline in physical and cognitive functioning among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Aerobic fitness, as an end point of exercise training, represents a promising target for restoring function in MS, but it is unknown if such effects differ by TA. This cross-sectional study examined whether aerobic fitness was differentially associated with cognitive processing speed and walking endurance in persons with MS who present with and without TA.

Methods

44 fully ambulatory persons with MS completed a graded exercise test for measuring aerobic fitness (VO_2peak) and underwent 3T MRI for measuring TA, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and the 6

SUBMITTER: Sandroff BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9474622 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature