BACKGROUND There is evidence of cognitive-motor coupling in multiple sclerosis (MS) such that the slowing of cognitive processing speed correlates with the worsening of walking speed and endurance. OBJECTIVE The current study first established the presence of cognitive-motor coupling and second examined the possibility that volumes of subcortical gray matter (SGM) structures and aerobic capacity might explain the coupling of cognitive and motor functions in persons with MS. METHODS We included data from 62 persons with clinically definite MS who underwent assessments of cognitive processing speed, walking performance, and aerobic capacity, and completed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 7 days of the aforementioned assessments. RESULTS The strong correlations between cognitive processing speed and walking performance were attenuated in magnitude and not statistically significant when controlling for aerobic capacity alone and aerobic capacity and SGM volumes together. The associations between cognitive processing speed and walking performance remained statistically significant when controlling for SGM volumes alone. CONCLUSION Aerobic capacity may be an important target for neurorehabilitation-based approaches for managing co-occurring cognitive and motor dysfunction in MS.

中文翻译：

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皮层下灰质体积和有氧能力是否解释了多发性硬化症的认知-运动耦合？

背景有证据表明多发性硬化症 (MS) 中存在认知-运动耦合，因此认知处理速度的减慢与步行速度和耐力的恶化相关。目的 目前的研究首先确定了认知-运动耦合的存在，然后检验了皮质下灰质 (SGM) 结构的体积和有氧能力可能解释 MS 患者认知和运动功能耦合的可能性。方法 我们纳入了 62 名临床确诊 MS 患者的数据，他们接受了认知处理速度、步行能力和有氧能力的评估，并在上述评估后 7 天内完成了磁共振成像 (MRI)。结果 当单独控制有氧能力以及有氧能力和 SGM 体积时，认知处理速度和步行表现之间的强相关性在幅度上减弱并且没有统计学意义。当单独控制 SGM 体积时，认知处理速度和步行性能之间的关联仍然具有统计学意义。结论 有氧能力可能是基于神经康复的方法管理 MS 中同时发生的认知和运动功能障碍的重要目标。