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Introduction Cerebral white matter lesions (WML) have been found in normal aging, vascular disease and several neuropsychiatric conditions. Correlations of volumetric measured WML with clinical parameters in men with Bipolar Disorder (BD) have been described in a currently submitted work of our study group. As we try to elucidate common pathways between obesity/metabolic syndrome and BD we reinvestgated our data in the context of obesity. Methods In a cross-sectional study 100 euthymic individuals (52 male, 48 female) with BD were enrolled to undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging using 3T including a FLAIR sequence for volumetric assessment of WML-load using FSL-software. Additionally, clinical characteristics and psychometric measures including Structured Clinical Interview according to DSM-IV were evaluated. Partial correlation analysis (WML-load with lifetime number of manic/depressive episodes) were performed in 4 different groups (male normalweight, male overweight/obese, female normalweight, female overweight/obese) Results In overweight/obese men only (n=41), the number of manic/hypomanic episodes ( r =0.85 ; p< 0.001) as well as depressive episodes ( r =0.55; p <0.001) correlated positively with WML-load. Conclusions WML-load strongly correlated with the number of manic episodes in overweight male BD patients, suggesting that overweight men might be more vulnerable to mania in the context of cerebral white matter changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neuropsychological aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS) have evolved over the past three decades. What was once thought to be a rare occurrence, cognitive dysfunction is now viewed as one of the most disabling symptoms of the disease, with devastating effects on patients' quality of life. This selective review will highlight major innovations and scientific discoveries in the areas of neuropathology, neuroimaging, diagnosis, and treatment that pertain to our understanding of the neuropsychological aspects of MS. Specifically, we focus on the recent discovery that MS produces pathogical lesions of gray matter (GM) that have consequences for cognitive functions. Methods for imaging these GM lesions in MS are discussed along with multimodal imaging studies that integrate structural and functional imaging methods to provide a better understanding of the relationship between cognitive test performance and functional reserve. Innovations in the screening and comprehensive assessment of cognitive disorders are presented along with recent research that examines cognitive dysfunction in pediatric MS. Results of innovative outcome studies in cognitive rehabilitation are discussed. Finally, we highlight trends for potential future innovations over the next decade. (JINS, 2017, 23, 832-842).