Browsing by Author "Aslan, Taha"

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Association Between Vascular Risk Factors and Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis: a Cross-Sectional Study
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2024) Ozakbas, Serkan; Aslan, Taha; Zengin, Ela; Kara, Irem; Simsek, Yasemin; Kahraman, Turhan
Clinical Comparison of Early and Late Onset Multiple Sclerosis at Age 35: Implications for Disease Progression and Management
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2024) Kaya, Ergi; Aslan, Taha; Ozdogar, Asiye Tuba; Alizada, Said; Ozakbas, Serkan
Citation - WoS: 2
Citation - Scopus: 1
Comparative Analysis of Cognitive and Physical Characteristics in Late-Onset, Adult-Onset and Early-Onset Multiple Sclerosis Patients
(ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2024) Özakbaş, Serkan; Kaya, Ergi; Aslan, Taha; Özdoğar, Asiye Tuba; Baba, Cavid
Background: Late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS or L; MS) and early-onset MS (EOMS or E) are less common, and their prognosis can be different. To characterize the demographic and clinical features, and clinical outcomes of LOMS and EOMS patients, comparing them to adult-onset MS (AOMS or A) patients. Methods: The study was conducted as a secondary analysis of a prospective study. The participants were divided into three groups according to age of MS onset: early onset (<18 years of age), adult-onset (20-40 years of age), and late-onset (>55 years of age). Demographic variables, oligoclonal bands, IgG index, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score in admission, first year, second year and current EDSS were evaluated. The Timed 25- Foot Walk Test (T25FW), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12, Single Leg Standing Test, Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, Nine-Hole Peg Test, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Scale were performed. Appropriate statistical analysis was made. Results: A total of 658 pwMS was included in the study and divided into three groups: EOMS (n n = 117), AOMS (n n = 499), and LOMS (n n = 42). Statistically significant differences were determined between groups in terms of age [L (mean:59.86+5.45 +5.45 years-y-)> A (36.87+9.12 +9.12 y)> E (26.56 +8.85 y), p < 0.001], education level, current EDSS score (L L > E, p < 0.001), EDSS score in first admission, EDSS score in the first year, EDSS score in the second year (L L > A > E, p < 0.001), reached an EDSS score 6 (E E > L p = 0.001, E > A p = 0.015), disease duration (E E > A, E > L , mean E = 11.66+9.7 +9.7 y, A = 7.99+7.4 +7.4 y, L = 6.31+4.67 +4.67 y) time switching second-line treatment to the third line (E E > L p < 0.001, A > L p = 0.002, mean E = 171.73+83.29 +83.29 months-m-, A = 136.13+65.75 +65.75 m, L = 65.85 +45.96 m), number of relapses (A A > E > L , median E = 4.0, A = 3.0, L = 2.0), distribution of MS type and oligoclonal band types. Significant differences were found in T25FW and TUG. Post-hoc analysis showed that participants in the LOMS group have longer T25FW (mean L = 7.8 + 6.11, A = 6.25+5.09, +5.09, E = 5.72+3.13, +3.13, p = 0.011) and TUG (mean L = 11.01+5.53, +5.53, A = 9.57+8.04, +8.04, E = 8.38+5.51, +5.51, p = 0.007) times than the AOMS and EOMS groups. Conclusion: Our result revealed that individuals with LOMS face elevated disability levels and a heightened propensity to transition from first-line treatments to more advanced therapeutic interventions. LOMS have worse lower extremity functional status than AOMS and EOMS patient. Clinical evaluations and treatment choices require more attention in LOMS. However, according to the low number of LOMS in our cohort, these results were considered cautious, and more wide and multi-center studies must be designed.
Comparative Analysis of Disease Progression and Disability Accumulation Between Early Onset and Adult Onset Multiple Sclerosis Patients at a Decade Post-Diagnosis
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2024) Aslan, Taha; Kaya, Ergi; Ozdogar, Asiye Tuba; Yapici, Nurbanu; Ozakbas, Serkan
Investigating the Relationship of Theory of Mind and Empathy With Neuroimaging, Neuropsychological, and Neuropsychiatric Data in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis
(Routledge journals, taylor & francis ltd, 2024) Aslan, Taha; Özdoğar, Asiye Tuba; Sağıcı, Özge; Yiğit, Pınar; Zorlu, Nabi; Bora, Emre; Özakbaş, Serkan
Theory of Mind (ToM) is understanding others' minds. Empathy is an insight into emotions and feelings of others. Persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) may experience impairment in ToM and empathy. To investigate ToM, empathy, and their relationship with neuroimaging, neuropsychological, and neuropsychiatric data. 41 pwMS and 41 HC were assessed using RMET for ToM, EQ, BICAMS, HADS. Cortical and subcortical gray matter volumes were calculated with Freesurfer from 3T MRI scans. pwMS showed lower EQ scores (44.82 +/- 11.9 vs 51.29 +/- 9.18, p = 0.02) and worse RMET performance (22.37 +/- 4.09 vs 24,47 +/- 2.93, p = 0.011). Anxiety and depression were higher in pwMS. EQ correlated with subcortical (amygdala) and cortical (anterior cingulate) volumes. RMET correlated with cortical volumes (posterior cingulate, lingual). In regression analysis, amygdala volume was the single predictor of empathy performance (p = 0.041). There were no significant correlations between social cognitive tests and general cognition. A weak negative correlation was found between EQ and the level of anxiety (r = -0.342, p = 0.038) The present study indicates that pwMS have impairment on ToM and empathy. The performance of ToM and empathy in MS is linked to the volumes of critical brain areas involved in social cognition.
Kinematic Analysis of Gait Parameters in Patients Affected by Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: a Comparative Study
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2024) Ozdogar, Asiye Tuba; Aslan, Taha; Zengin, Ela Simay; Ozakbas, Serkan
Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Impact on Disease Course
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2024) Aslan, Taha; Kaya, Ergi; Simsek, Yasemin; Ozcelik, Sinem; Ozdogar, Asiye Tuba; Ozakbas, Serkan
Citation - WoS: 5
Citation - Scopus: 5
The Relationship Between Work Difficulties and Physical Disability, Cognitive and Social Cognitive Impairment and Subcortical Gray Matter Atrophy in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis
(Springer Heidelberg, 2024) Aslan, Taha; Ozdogar, Asiye Tuba; Sagici, Ozge; Ozakbas, Serkan
Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is commonly associated with work difficulties. This study aimed to examine the relationship between work difficulties and physical disability, cognitive and social cognitive impairment, and subcortical gray matter (scGM) atrophy in pwMS. Methods Thirty-three employees with MS underwent assessments with Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire-23 MSWDQ-23. Physical disability was measured using EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), 2-Minute Walking Test (2-MWT), the Nine-Hole Peg test (N-HPT), and 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12). Cognitive functions were evaluated with Brief International Cognitive Assessment in MS (BICAMS), social cognition with Facial Emotion Identification (FEI), Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and Empathy Quotient (EQ). Anxiety and depression were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The association between variables was analysed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. GM volumes were calculated from 3T MRI data using Freesurfer, their potential relationship with work difficulties were evaluated through a linear regression model. Results MSWDQ-23 was strongly correlated with T25FW and MSWS-12 (p<0.01), moderately correlated with EDSS, 2MWT, HAD, BICAMS, and EQ (p<0.05). According to the linear regression model the decrease in volumes of total GM and scGM, bilateral Thalamus, bilateral Hippocampus, left Putamen, and right Caudate related with the severity of work difficulties (R-2=0.815, p=0.25). Conclusion This study provides valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of work difficulties experienced by pwMS. It suggests that not only physical disability but also other factors, such as mood, cognition, empathy, and cortical and subcortical gray matter atrophy may contribute to work difficulties among pwMS.
The Role of Personality Traits in Disease Course, Cognition, and Mental Health in Multiple Sclerosis
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2025) Sagici, Ozge; Ozdogar, Asiye Tuba; Aslan, Taha; Ozakbas, Serkan
The Role of Pregnancy in Relapsing-Remitting Ms Prognosis: a Five-Year Study
(Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2025) Kaya, Ergi; Aslan, Taha; Simsek, Yasemin; Ozcelik, Sinem; Ozakbas, Serkan
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently affects women during their reproductive years, leading to growing interest in the interaction between pregnancy and MS progression. The relationship between pregnancy and MS prognosis has been widely studied, yet long-term outcomes remain controversial, with studies presenting conflicting results. Aim: This study aims to assess the long-term impact of pregnancy on MS prognosis by examining relapse rates, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and MRI activity over three and five years after delivery. Method: A total of 111 women with MS (wwMS) who delivered either preterm or at full term after MS diagnosis were retrospectively studied. The participants were grouped into those who experienced no relapses during pregnancy (NRG) and those who did (RG). A control group of 85 non-pregnant wwMS (NPG) with matched demographic and clinical characteristics was included for comparative analysis. Clinical data such as relapse rates, EDSS scores, and MRI findings were collected and analyzed statistically to determine the potential impact of pregnancy on MS. Result: Of the women who delivered post-MS diagnosis, 11 experienced relapses during pregnancy. There were no significant differences between the three groups regarding prepregnancy annualized relapse rate, EDSS scores, age at diagnosis, age at pregnancy, oligoclonal band positivity, first symptom localization, or disease-modifying therapy use (p > 0.05). Both the NRG and RG groups experienced significantly more relapses compared to the NPG group during the first three and five years post-delivery (p < 0.05). Additionally, the RG group had a higher relapse rate in the third year after delivery compared to the NRG group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Having a delivery after an MS diagnosis is associated with increased relapse activity, particularly within the first three years postpartum. However, this heightened relapse activity does not appear to contribute to long-term disability accumulation and MRI activity in wwMS. These findings support the importance of individualized postpartum monitoring.
The Role of Pregnancy in Shaping Ms Prognosis: a Five-Year Study
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2024) Ozcelik, Sinem; Kaya, Ergi; Simsek, Yasemin; Basaran, Tuncay; Aslan, Taha; Ozakbas, Serkan
[No Abstract Available]
Use of High-Efficacy Therapies of Early- and Late-Onset Multiple Sclerosis Compared To Adult-Onset Multiple Sclerosis
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2024) Ozakbas, Serkan; Aslan, Taha; Kaya, Ergi; Alizada, Said; Ozdogar, Asiye Tuba