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Investigating the role of the corpus callosum in regulating motor overflow in multiple sclerosis

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Abstract

The corpus callosum (CC) is commonly affected in multiple sclerosis (MS), however, sensitive behavioral measures of MS-related CC pathology are lacking. The CC is considered a key structure in the mediation of a type of involuntary movement known as motor overflow. In this study, we sought to characterize the impact of CC damage on motor overflow in MS. Twenty MS participants and 20 controls performed a unilateral force production task. Motor overflow (involuntary force) in the non-active hand was measured while the active hand performed the task. CC volume and lesion load were calculated for MS participants using T2-weighted MRI. We found no group differences in motor overflow; however, motor overflow correlated significantly with MS disease severity [Expanded disability status scale (EDSS)]. CC damage (lesions and decreased volume) did not correlate with motor overflow. This study suggests that CC damage may not directly lead to changes in the regulation of motor overflow. Rather, findings support the notion that a wider network of structures may mediate the production and suppression of motor overflow.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by research funds from the School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Experimental Neuropsychology Research Unit, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia

    Anne-Marie Ternes & Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

  2. Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred and Monash University School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Jerome J. Maller

  3. Ocular Motor Research Laboratory, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia

    Joanne Fielding

  4. Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3050, Australia

    Joanne Fielding & Owen White

  5. Institute of Sport, Exercise, and Active Living, Victoria University, Footscray Park Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3011, Australia

    Patricia Addamo

Authors
  1. Anne-Marie Ternes
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  2. Jerome J. Maller
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  3. Joanne Fielding
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  4. Patricia Addamo
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  6. Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis
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Correspondence to Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis.

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Ternes, AM., Maller, J.J., Fielding, J. et al. Investigating the role of the corpus callosum in regulating motor overflow in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 260, 1997–2004 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-013-6914-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-013-6914-2

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