Table 2.
Virchow-Robin space (VRS) prevalence, counts, and volumes per location for the MS cohorts.
| Cohort | Control | Exploratory | Validation | Pooled MS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of subjects | 30 | 142 | 63 | 205 |
| Prevalence of VRS per location (%) | ||||
| Centrum semiovale | 30/30 (100%) | 137/142 (96%) | 63/63 (100%) | 200/205 (98%) |
| Basal ganglia | 30/30 (100%) | 142/142 (100%) | 63/63 (100%) | 205/205 (100%) |
| Brain stem | 14/30 (47%) | 44/142 (31%) | 15/63 (24%) | 59/205 (29%) |
| Median VRS count per location (range) | ||||
| Centrum semiovale | 4 (1–14) | 7 (0–41)∗∗ | 10 (2–34)∗∗∗ | 8 (0–41)∗∗∗ |
| Basal ganglia | 3 (2–9) | 6 (2–23)∗∗∗ | 5 (0–10) | 6 (1–23)∗∗ |
| Brain stem | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) |
| Median VRS volume per location [μl] (range) | ||||
| Centrum semiovale | 90 (8–588) | 249 (161–1141)∗∗∗ | 253 (22–900)∗ | 250 (22–900)∗∗ |
| Basal ganglia | 176 (0–491) | 143 (68–395) | 151 (18–271) | 146 (18–395) |
| Brain stem | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Median count of dilated VRS (diameter ≥ 2 mm, range) | ||||
| Centrum semiovale | 0.20 (0–3) | 0.83 (0–9)∗ | 1.22 (0–7)∗∗ | 0.95 (0–9)∗ |
| No of patients with VRS ≥ 2 mm (%) | 4 (13%) | 43 (30%)∗∗ | 31 (49%)∗∗ | 74 (36%)∗∗ |
Higher centrum semiovale and basal ganglia VRS counts and centrum semiovale VRS volumes in MS patients compared to controls (Control cohort n = 30; exploratory cohort: n = 142; validation cohort: n = 63; pooled MS cohorts: n = 205).
Asterisks indicate statistical significance between compared to the control cohort, statistically significant association are printed in bold font: ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001.
Abbreviations: N/A, not available; MS, multiple sclerosis.