Skip to main content
Advertisement
  • Neurology.org
  • Journals
    • Neurology
    • Clinical Practice
    • Education
    • Genetics
    • Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
  • Online Sections
    • Neurology Video Journal Club
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
    • Innovations in Care Delivery
    • Practice Buzz
    • Practice Current
    • Residents & Fellows
    • Without Borders
  • Collections
    • COVID-19
    • Disputes & Debates
    • Health Disparities
    • Infographics
    • Neurology Future Forecasting Series
    • Null Hypothesis
    • Patient Pages
    • Topics A-Z
    • Translations
  • Podcast
  • CME
  • About
    • About the Journals
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Board
  • Authors
    • Submit New Manuscript
    • Submit Revised Manuscript
    • Author Center

Advanced Search

Main menu

  • Neurology.org
  • Journals
    • Neurology
    • Clinical Practice
    • Education
    • Genetics
    • Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
  • Online Sections
    • Neurology Video Journal Club
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
    • Innovations in Care Delivery
    • Practice Buzz
    • Practice Current
    • Residents & Fellows
    • Without Borders
  • Collections
    • COVID-19
    • Disputes & Debates
    • Health Disparities
    • Infographics
    • Neurology Future Forecasting Series
    • Null Hypothesis
    • Patient Pages
    • Topics A-Z
    • Translations
  • Podcast
  • CME
  • About
    • About the Journals
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Board
  • Authors
    • Submit New Manuscript
    • Submit Revised Manuscript
    • Author Center
  • Home
  • Latest Articles
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Neurology Video Journal Club
  • Residents & Fellows

User menu

  • Subscribe
  • My Alerts
  • Log in

Search

  • Advanced search
Neurology
Home
The most widely read and highly cited peer-reviewed neurology journal
  • Subscribe
  • My Alerts
  • Log in
Site Logo
  • Home
  • Latest Articles
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Neurology Video Journal Club
  • Residents & Fellows

Share

January 08, 2013; 80 (2) Views & Reviews

The thalamus and multiple sclerosis

Modern views on pathologic, imaging, and clinical aspects

Alireza Minagar, Michael H. Barnett, Ralph H.B. Benedict, Daniel Pelletier, Istvan Pirko, Mohamad Ali Sahraian, Elliott Frohman, Robert Zivadinov
First published January 7, 2013, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e31827b910b
Alireza Minagar
From the Department of Neurology (A.M.), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA; Department of Neurology (M.H.B.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney; Brain & Mind Research Institute (M.H.B.), University of Sydney, Australia; The Jacobs Neurological Institute (R.H.B.B., R.Z.) and Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology (R.Z.), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Departments of Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology (D.P.), Yale University, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (I.P.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Sina MS Research Center (M.A.S.), Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; and Department of Neurology (E.F.), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Michael H. Barnett
From the Department of Neurology (A.M.), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA; Department of Neurology (M.H.B.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney; Brain & Mind Research Institute (M.H.B.), University of Sydney, Australia; The Jacobs Neurological Institute (R.H.B.B., R.Z.) and Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology (R.Z.), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Departments of Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology (D.P.), Yale University, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (I.P.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Sina MS Research Center (M.A.S.), Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; and Department of Neurology (E.F.), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Ralph H.B. Benedict
From the Department of Neurology (A.M.), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA; Department of Neurology (M.H.B.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney; Brain & Mind Research Institute (M.H.B.), University of Sydney, Australia; The Jacobs Neurological Institute (R.H.B.B., R.Z.) and Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology (R.Z.), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Departments of Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology (D.P.), Yale University, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (I.P.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Sina MS Research Center (M.A.S.), Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; and Department of Neurology (E.F.), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Daniel Pelletier
From the Department of Neurology (A.M.), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA; Department of Neurology (M.H.B.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney; Brain & Mind Research Institute (M.H.B.), University of Sydney, Australia; The Jacobs Neurological Institute (R.H.B.B., R.Z.) and Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology (R.Z.), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Departments of Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology (D.P.), Yale University, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (I.P.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Sina MS Research Center (M.A.S.), Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; and Department of Neurology (E.F.), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Istvan Pirko
From the Department of Neurology (A.M.), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA; Department of Neurology (M.H.B.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney; Brain & Mind Research Institute (M.H.B.), University of Sydney, Australia; The Jacobs Neurological Institute (R.H.B.B., R.Z.) and Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology (R.Z.), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Departments of Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology (D.P.), Yale University, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (I.P.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Sina MS Research Center (M.A.S.), Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; and Department of Neurology (E.F.), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Mohamad Ali Sahraian
From the Department of Neurology (A.M.), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA; Department of Neurology (M.H.B.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney; Brain & Mind Research Institute (M.H.B.), University of Sydney, Australia; The Jacobs Neurological Institute (R.H.B.B., R.Z.) and Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology (R.Z.), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Departments of Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology (D.P.), Yale University, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (I.P.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Sina MS Research Center (M.A.S.), Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; and Department of Neurology (E.F.), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Elliott Frohman
From the Department of Neurology (A.M.), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA; Department of Neurology (M.H.B.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney; Brain & Mind Research Institute (M.H.B.), University of Sydney, Australia; The Jacobs Neurological Institute (R.H.B.B., R.Z.) and Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology (R.Z.), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Departments of Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology (D.P.), Yale University, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (I.P.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Sina MS Research Center (M.A.S.), Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; and Department of Neurology (E.F.), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Robert Zivadinov
From the Department of Neurology (A.M.), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA; Department of Neurology (M.H.B.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney; Brain & Mind Research Institute (M.H.B.), University of Sydney, Australia; The Jacobs Neurological Institute (R.H.B.B., R.Z.) and Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology (R.Z.), University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Departments of Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology (D.P.), Yale University, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (I.P.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Sina MS Research Center (M.A.S.), Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; and Department of Neurology (E.F.), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Full PDF
Citation
The thalamus and multiple sclerosis
Modern views on pathologic, imaging, and clinical aspects
Alireza Minagar, Michael H. Barnett, Ralph H.B. Benedict, Daniel Pelletier, Istvan Pirko, Mohamad Ali Sahraian, Elliott Frohman, Robert Zivadinov
Neurology Jan 2013, 80 (2) 210-219; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31827b910b

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Permissions

Make Comment

See Comments

Downloads
3936

Share

  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Disclosures
Loading

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.

Abstract

The paired thalamic nuclei are gray matter (GM) structures on both sides of the third ventricle that play major roles in cortical activation, relaying sensory information to the higher cortical centers that influence cognition. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the human CNS that affects both the white matter (WM) and GM. A number of clinical observations as well as recent neuropathologic and neuroimaging studies have clearly demonstrated extensive involvement of the thalamus, basal ganglia, and neocortex in patients with MS. Modern MRI techniques permit visualization of GM lesions and measurement of atrophy. These contemporary methods have fundamentally altered our understanding of the pathophysiologic nature of MS. Evidence confirms the contention that GM injury can be detected in the earliest phases of MS, and that iron deposition and atrophy of deep gray nuclei are closely related to the magnitude of inflammation. Extensive involvement of GM, and particularly of the thalamus, is associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations including cognitive decline, motor deficits, fatigue, painful syndromes, and ocular motility disturbances in patients with MS. In this review, we characterize the neuropathologic, neuroimaging, and clinical features of thalamic involvement in MS. Further, we underscore the contention that neuropathologic and neuroimaging correlative investigations of thalamic derangements in MS may elucidate not heretofore considered pathobiological underpinnings germane to understanding the ontogeny, magnitude, and progression of the disease process.

GLOSSARY

CIS=
clinically isolated inflammatory demyelinating syndrome;
DIR=
double inversion recovery;
DTI=
diffusion tensor imaging;
EDSS=
Expanded Disability Status Scale;
GM=
gray matter;
LGN=
lateral geniculate nucleus;
MS=
multiple sclerosis;
NAGM=
normal-appearing gray matter;
NAWM=
normal-appearing white matter;
SWI=
susceptibility-weighted imaging;
WM=
white matter

Footnotes

  • Go to Neurology.org for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the authors, if any, are provided at the end of the article.

  • Received March 29, 2012.
  • Accepted August 6, 2012.
  • © 2013 American Academy of Neurology
View Full Text

AAN Members

We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.

Google Safari Microsoft Edge Firefox

Click here to login

AAN Non-Member Subscribers

Click here to login

Purchase access

For assistance, please contact:
AAN Members (800) 879-1960 or (612) 928-6000 (International)
Non-AAN Member subscribers (800) 638-3030 or (301) 223-2300 option 3, select 1 (international)

Sign Up
Information on how to subscribe to Neurology and Neurology: Clinical Practice can be found here 

Purchase
Individual access to articles is available through the Add to Cart option on the article page.  Access for 1 day (from the computer you are currently using) is US$ 39.00.  Pay-per-view content is for the use of the payee only, and content may not be further distributed by print or electronic means.  The payee may view, download, and/or print the article for his/her personal, scholarly, research, and educational use.  Distributing copies (electronic or otherwise) of the article is not allowed.

Letters: Rapid online correspondence

No comments have been published for this article.
Comment

REQUIREMENTS

If you are uploading a letter concerning an article:
You must have updated your disclosures within six months: http://submit.neurology.org

Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.

If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.

Submission specifications:

  • Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
  • Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
  • Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
  • Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
  • Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.

More guidelines and information on Disputes & Debates

Compose Comment

More information about text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Author Information
NOTE: The first author must also be the corresponding author of the comment.
First or given name, e.g. 'Peter'.
Your last, or family, name, e.g. 'MacMoody'.
Your email address, e.g. higgs-boson@gmail.com
Your role and/or occupation, e.g. 'Orthopedic Surgeon'.
Your organization or institution (if applicable), e.g. 'Royal Free Hospital'.
Publishing Agreement
NOTE: All authors, besides the first/corresponding author, must complete a separate Publishing Agreement Form and provide via email to the editorial office before comments can be posted.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Vertical Tabs

You May Also be Interested in

Back to top
  • Article
    • Abstract
    • GLOSSARY
    • THALAMIC NEUROPATHOLOGY IN MS
    • NEUROIMAGING CHARACTERISTICS OF THALAMIC INVOLVEMENT IN MS
    • CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
    • DISCUSSION
    • AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
    • STUDY FUNDING
    • DISCLOSURES
    • ACKNOWLEDGMENT
    • Footnotes
    • REFERENCES
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Disclosures
Advertisement

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Safety in Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy

Dr. Jeffrey Allen and Dr. Nicholas Purcell

► Watch

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.

Alert Me

  • Alert me when eletters are published

Recommended articles

  • Articles
    Thalamic atrophy and cognition in multiple sclerosis
    M. K. Houtchens, R.H.B. Benedict, R. Killiany et al.
    Neurology, September 17, 2007
  • Article
    Early CNS neurodegeneration in radiologically isolated syndrome
    Christina J. Azevedo, Eve Overton, Sankalpa Khadka et al.
    Neurology - Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation, April 09, 2015
  • Views & Reviews
    Gray matter involvement in multiple sclerosis
    Istvan Pirko, Claudia F. Lucchinetti, Subramaniam Sriram et al.
    Neurology, February 26, 2007
  • Articles
    In vivo evidence of cerebellar atrophy and cerebral white matter loss in Huntington disease
    C. Fennema-Notestine, S. L. Archibald, M. W. Jacobson et al.
    Neurology, September 27, 2004
Neurology: 100 (13)

Articles

  • Ahead of Print
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Popular Articles
  • Translations

About

  • About the Journals
  • Ethics Policies
  • Editors & Editorial Board
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Submit

  • Author Center
  • Submit a Manuscript
  • Information for Reviewers
  • AAN Guidelines
  • Permissions

Subscribers

  • Subscribe
  • Activate a Subscription
  • Sign up for eAlerts
  • RSS Feed
Site Logo
  • Visit neurology Template on Facebook
  • Follow neurology Template on Twitter
  • Visit Neurology on YouTube
  • Neurology
  • Neurology: Clinical Practice
  • Neurology: Education
  • Neurology: Genetics
  • Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
  • AAN.com
  • AANnews
  • Continuum
  • Brain & Life
  • Neurology Today

Wolters Kluwer Logo

Neurology | Print ISSN:0028-3878
Online ISSN:1526-632X

© 2023 American Academy of Neurology

  • Privacy Policy
  • Feedback
  • Advertise