Key Points
Complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy patients, despite remission, have significant white matter changes on MRI and lower scores on neurocognitive testing.
These changes suggest more research is required to determine optimal therapy in these patients to preserve neurocognitive status.
Abstract
Complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (CM-TMA) is a rare, life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy caused by a defect in the alternative complement pathway. It is associated with renal failure and acute encephalopathy, but long-term neurocognitive effects are uncertain. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurocognitive tests, we can further evaluate the long-term neurocognitive complications in CM-TMA and compare them to controls. In this study, we analyzed microstructural changes in the cerebral white matter and neurocognitive testing results of patients with CM-TMA. Seven adult patients with CM-TMA in remission and 6 healthy controls were included. All patients were treated with C5 complement blockade. They were followed for 12 months after study entry. All patients had consecutive MRI scans (standard-of-care and quantitative sequences) to assess for white matter changes and concurrent neurocognitive testing. Patients with CM-TMA had increased white matter signal intensity in most regions of the brain compared with controls. This was accompanied by increased depression and neurocognitive dysfunction (impaired concentration, short-term memory, and verbal memory). These findings were also present up to 12 months after the initial study visit. In summary , patients with previous CM-TMA were found to have significant albeit nonspecific cerebral white matter abnormalities with impaired memory and concentration. Larger studies with longitudinal follow-up to assess neurocognitive complications in CM-TMA are required. This trial was registered at Clinical Trials Ontario (ctontario.ca; Project ID: 1318).
Author notes
Data sharing statement: For original data, please contact shuang@uwo.ca.
Presented in abstract form at the Department of Medicine Resident Research Day at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, 19 May 2023.