Abstract Details

Title Age Gap as a Biomarker of Neurodegeneration and Functional Decline in Multiple Sclerosis: Insights into Racial Differences

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P11 - Poster Session 11 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 20-003

Objective This study evaluates the relationship between age gap (brain-predicted minus chronological ages) and neurodegeneration, microstructural, clinical, and functional outcomes for the overall multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort and separately for Black and White patients.

Background Brain-predicted age, derived from neuroimaging, reflects cumulative neurodegeneration and may reveal disparities across racial groups in MS.

Design/Methods In this cross-sectional study, all patients underwent brain MRI on a SIEMENS 3T system and clinical assessments. 3D T1-weighted images were processed with brainageR (v2.1) using Gaussian process regression to estimate brain-predicted age and tissue volumes. Using SPSS v29, Spearman’s correlations tested associations between age gap and volumetric measures (GM, WM, CSF), lesion burden (T2 lesion volume), microstructural integrity, fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), cognitive/motor performance (SDMT, 9HPT), and quality of life (MSQoL).

Results A total of 120 MS patients (59 Black, 61 White) were included. No significant differences were found in age (39.5 ± 9.2 vs. 43.0 ± 11.3 years, p=0.07) or gender (42 vs. 34 female patients, p=0.079) between Black and White MS patients. Age gap correlated negatively with GM (r=-0.443, p<0.001), WM (r=-0.256, p=0.005), and cortical thickness (r=-0.300, p=0.001), and positively with CSF (r=0.385, p<0.001) and lesion volume (r=0.721, p<0.001). Correlations were stronger in Black for GM and lesion volume. Larger age gaps were linked to reduced FA in NAGM (r=-0.458, p<0.001) and NAWM (r=-0.565, p<0.001), and higher MD (NAGM r=0.325, NAWM r=0.451, both p<0.001). Age gap correlated negatively with SDMT (r=-0.358, p=0.014) and positively with 9HPT-ND (r=0.325, p=0.030). Associations were stronger in White, especially for motor outcomes.

Conclusions Age gap is a robust marker of neurodegeneration in MS, correlating with atrophy, lesion burden, microstructural damage, and functional decline. Racial differences suggest Black patients show greater neurodegeneration, while White patients show stronger links with functional impairment.

Authors/Disclosures
Anas Z. Nourelden, MD PRESENTER	Dr. Nourelden has nothing to disclose.
Fen Bao	Fen Bao has nothing to disclose.
Mawadda Abdelhai, MD	Miss Abdelhai has nothing to disclose.
Nidhi M. Patel	Miss Patel has nothing to disclose.
Abigail Biddix, BS	Mrs. Biddix has nothing to disclose.
ZL Liaquat (Wayne State University)	ZL Liaquat has nothing to disclose.
Kalyan Yarraguntla, MD (University Health Center)	Dr. Yarraguntla has nothing to disclose.
Jacob C. Rube, MD (University Health Center)	Dr. Rube has nothing to disclose.
Carla E. Santiago-Martinez (Wayne State University)	Ms. Santiago-Martinez has nothing to disclose.
Anza B. Memon, MD, FAAN (Wayne State University, SOM, Detroit, MI)	Dr. Memon has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Inlightened. Dr. Memon has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Connected Research. Dr. Memon has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Horizon Therapeutic . The institution of Dr. Memon has received research support from Genentech. The institution of Dr. Memon has received research support from TG Therapeutics.

��ɫ��

��ɫ��