Abstract Details

Title Racial Disparities in Multiple Sclerosis: Differences in Neurodegeneration, Metabolism, Cognition, and Motor Functions in Black and White Patients

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P3 - Poster Session 3 (5:00 PM-6:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 18-008

Objective This cross-sectional study investigates racial disparities in neurodegeneration, functional outcomes, and disease burden between black and white individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Background MS is characterized by chronic inflammation and neurodegeneration, leading to brain atrophy and functional impairment. Racial differences in MS progression are recognized, but their impact on structural, metabolic, and functional outcomes remains underexplored.

Design/Methods

All patients underwent volumetric, microstructural, functional, metabolic, and QoL assessments. MRI analyses were conducted using FreeSurfer v7.2, Jim v6, SPM12, LCModel v6.3, DTIStudio v3.0, and LST v3.0. Group differences were tested using the t-test or Mann-Whitney U in SPSS.

Results A total of 120 patients (59 Black, 61 White) on DMTs (OCR-19, FTY-48, GA-27, NTZ-26) were included. No significant differences were found in age (39.5 vs. 43 years, p=0.07) or gender (p=0.079). Black patients showed lower GM volume (589.58 ± 67.45 vs. 642.34 ± 70.55 ml, p<0.001), thinner cortex (2.36 ± 0.12 vs. 2.41 ± 0.08 mm, p=0.024), and higher T2 lesion volume (20.05 ± 21.92 vs. 11.80 ± 10.85 ml, p=0.011). They also had poorer cognitive and motor scores (9HPT-D 28.74 ± 9.92 s vs. 22.11 ± 4.58 s, p=0.005; 9HPT-ND 36.17 ± 26.89 s vs. 24.44 ± 5.22 s, p=0.035; SDMT 37.80 ± 13.28 vs. 53.67 ± 10.97, p<0.001; PASAT 24.82 ± 8.61 vs. 35.24 ± 16.01, p=0.012). Metabolic and microstructural indices were worse in Black (tNAA/tCr 1.93 ± 0.21 vs. 2.08 ± 0.24, p<0.001; FA in NAWM 0.418 ± 0.027 vs. 0.434 ± 0.025, p<0.001). Despite shorter disease duration (5.82 ± 4.65 vs. 10.25 ± 9.30 years, p=0.013), Black patients reported lower physical QoL (41.14 ± 18.62 vs. 55.16 ± 24.02, p=0.030).

Conclusions

Significant racial disparities exist in neurodegeneration, metabolic, cognitive, and motor functions. Black patients experience greater disease burden and poorer QoL despite shorter disease duration, emphasizing the need for tailored race-specific interventions.

Authors/Disclosures
Anas Z. Nourelden, MD PRESENTER	Dr. Nourelden has nothing to disclose.
Fen Bao	Fen Bao has nothing to disclose.
Abigail Biddix, BS	Mrs. Biddix has nothing to disclose.
Mawadda Abdelhai, MD	Miss Abdelhai has nothing to disclose.
Nidhi M. Patel	Miss Patel 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.

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