Fatigue in multiple sclerosis: The role of thalamus. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Capone, Fioravante; Collorone, Sara; Cortese, Rosa; Di Lazzaro, Vincenzo; Moccia, Marcello
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 26:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 6
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Fatigue -- thalamus -- multiple sclerosis -- neuroimaging -- MRI; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458519851247
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Fatigue is very common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and is often considered as its most disabling symptom. Over the last 20 years, an increasing number of studies have evaluated the pathogenetic bases of MS-related fatigue. Converging evidence from neurophysiology and neuroimaging research suggests that a dysfunction in a cortico-subcortical pathway, centered on thalamus, is involved in the pathogenesis of fatigue. However, type and significance of such dysfunction remain unknown, and some studies reported an increase in the activity and connectivity within the thalamic network, whereas others suggested its reduction. Hereby, we review the results of neuroimaging studies supporting the different hypotheses about the role of thalamic network in the pathophysiology of MS-related fatigue and discuss limitations and shortcomings of available data, highlighting the key challenges in the field and the directions for future research.