Multiple Sclerosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Multiple Sclerosis, including details on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, prognosis.

Sex hormones modulate brain damage in multiple sclerosis: MRI evidence.

Tomassini V, Onesti E, Mainero C, Giugni E, Paolillo A, Salvetti M, Nicoletti F, Pozzilli C

Department of Neurological Sciences, University La Sapienza, viale dell'Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy.

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.

Published 17 January 2005 in J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 76(2): 272-5.
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