TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex hormones modulate brain damage in multiple sclerosis
T2 - MRI evidence
AU - Tomassini, V.
AU - Onesti, E.
AU - Mainero, C.
AU - Giugni, E.
AU - Paolillo, A.
AU - Salvetti, M.
AU - Nicoletti, F.
AU - Pozzilli, Carlo
PY - 2005/2
Y1 - 2005/2
N2 - Background: Sex related differences in the course and severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) could be mediated by the sex hormones. Objective: To investigate the relation between serum sex hormone concentrations and characteristics of tissue damage on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in men and women suffering from relapsing-remitting MS. Results: Serum testosterone was significantly lower in women with MS than in controls. The lowest levels were found in women with a greater number of gadolinium enhancing lesions. A positive correlation was observed between testosterone concentrations and both tissue damage on MRI and clinical disability. In men, there was a positive correlation between oestradiol concentrations and brain damage. Conclusions: The hormone related modulation of pathological changes supports the hypothesis that sex hormones play a role in the inflammation, damage, and repair mechanisms typical of MS.
AB - Background: Sex related differences in the course and severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) could be mediated by the sex hormones. Objective: To investigate the relation between serum sex hormone concentrations and characteristics of tissue damage on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in men and women suffering from relapsing-remitting MS. Results: Serum testosterone was significantly lower in women with MS than in controls. The lowest levels were found in women with a greater number of gadolinium enhancing lesions. A positive correlation was observed between testosterone concentrations and both tissue damage on MRI and clinical disability. In men, there was a positive correlation between oestradiol concentrations and brain damage. Conclusions: The hormone related modulation of pathological changes supports the hypothesis that sex hormones play a role in the inflammation, damage, and repair mechanisms typical of MS.
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U2 - 10.1136/jnnp.2003.033324
DO - 10.1136/jnnp.2003.033324
M3 - Article
C2 - 15654051
AN - SCOPUS:12444302288
VL - 76
SP - 272
EP - 275
JO - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
JF - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
SN - 0022-3050
IS - 2
ER -