Cerebellar White Matter Damage Is Associated With Postural Sway Deficits in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Geetanjali Gera, Brett W. Fling, Fay B. Horak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To assess how postural sway deficits during eyes open and closed relate to the integrity of cerebellar peduncles in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Laboratory based setting. Participants: Twenty-nine adults with MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale: 2-4) and 15 adults without MS were recruited (N=44). Inclusion criteria for all participants were ability to maintain balance independently by standing on toes for 3 seconds, and no known biomechanical conditions affecting balance. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Postural sway using body-worn, inertial sensors during quiet standing, integrity of cerebellar peduncles quantified using diffusion-tensor imaging and clinical assessment scales for ataxia and balance. Results: Radial diffusivity of the inferior cerebellar peduncle was related to postural sway measures during both eyes open and closed. In contrast, radial diffusivity of the superior cerebellar peduncle was related to postural sway only in stance with eyes open. Conclusions: The inferior cerebellar peduncle, which carries somatosensory information to the cerebellum, contributes to control of standing balance with or without visual inputs, consistent with the high dependence on somatosensory information for posture. The superior cerebellar peduncle, which carries cortical information to the cerebellum, contributes to control of standing posture only when vision is available. Radial diffusivity of the inferior cerebellar peduncle was related to reactive balance control, whereas radial diffusivity of the superior cerebellar peduncle was related to the kinetic component of the ataxia rating scale.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)258-264
Number of pages7
JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume101
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

Funding

Supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (RG-5273; Fling; FG 2058-A-1 Gera; MB-0027; Horak) and the Medical Research Foundation of Oregon (Fling, Gera). Disclosures: F. Horak has a significant financial interest in APDM, a company that may have a commercial interest in the results of this research and technology. This potential conflict of interest has been reviewed and managed by Oregon Health & Science University and the Integrity Program Oversight Council. F. Horak discloses financial relationships with Medtronics, Takeda, Adamus, Sanofi, Neuropore, and Biogen outside the submitted work. The other authors have nothing to disclose.

FundersFunder number
Medical Research Foundation of Oregon
National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyRG-5273, MB-0027
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Oregon Health and Science University

    Keywords

    • Balance
    • Body-worn sensors
    • Cerebellum
    • Diffusion-tensor imaging
    • Inertial sensors
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Neuroimaging
    • Postural control
    • Quiet Standing
    • Rehabilitation

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
    • Rehabilitation

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