The topography of infratentorial lesions in depression and anxiety in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in multiple sclerosis and significantly impact patient outcomes. However, their link to specific areas of demyelination remains unclear. Objectives: This study examines the association between infratentorial lesions and depression or anxiety, focusing on three regions of interest: raphe nuclei, locus coeruleus, and cerebellar lobule VIIA. Methods: Patients were recruited from the cognitive neuroimmunology clinic at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Participants were categorised as belonging to the groups ‘depression’/‘no depression’ and ‘anxiety’/‘no anxiety’ based on SPECTRA Indices of Psychopathology. MRI scans were examined for lesion pr..