Olivia Kalau
Research Subjects
Research Interests
Olivia Kalau has a total of 17 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
Alan H Wilman
Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
1 shared publicationAlexandre Prat
Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal and Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
1 shared publicationAlice Schabas
University of British Columbia
1 shared publicationAnthony L Traboulsee
University of British Columbia
1 shared publicationConnor Keane
University of British Columbia
1 shared publication- Cornelia Laule
University of British Columbia
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 1 April 2026
- Published by SAGE Publications in Multiple Sclerosis Journal – Experimental, Translational and Clinical
- Vol. 12 (2)
Myelin damage in radiologically isolated syndrome is associated with decreased processing speed
Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common feature of multiple sclerosis (MS). Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) can demonstrate CI patterns similar to MS, providing an opportunity to explore the associations between CI and early stage disease pathology. Objectives: To investigate myelin damage in RIS normal appearing white matter (NAWM) using the myelin heterogeneity index (MHI) and to determine the relationship between MHI and processing speed. Methods: A total of 28 people with RIS and 22 controls completed an MRI, including multi-component T 2 mapping to calculate MHI for whole brain (WB), corpus callosum (CC), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and cingulum (CING) NAWM. The RIS cohort additionally completed the Processing Speed Test (PST), a measure of processing speed. Results: CC NAWM MHI was higher in RIS versus controls (indicative of myelin damage, p = 0.0140), with similar trends seen in WB, SLF, and CING ( p > 0.05). A moderate correlation was found between CING NAWM MHI and PST scores ( ρ = –0.39, p = 0.040), with similar trends seen in WB, CC, and SLF ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: Diffuse myelin damage was detected in RIS NAWM, along with associations between increased damage and slower processing speed, suggesting a potential pathological mechanism for RIS-related CI.
- 1 April 2026
- Published by SAGE Publications in Multiple Sclerosis Journal – Experimental, Translational and Clinical
- Vol. 12 (2)
Open AccessMyelin damage in radiologically isolated syndrome is associated with decreased processing speed
Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common feature of multiple sclerosis (MS). Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) can demonstrate CI patterns similar to MS, providing an opportunity to explore the associations between CI and early stage disease pathology. Objectives: To investigate myelin damage in RIS normal appearing white matter (NAWM) using the myelin heterogeneity index (MHI) and to determine the relationship between MHI and processing speed. Methods: A total of 28 people with RIS and 22 controls completed an MRI, including multi-component T 2 mapping to calculate MHI for whole brain (WB), corpus callosum (CC), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and cingulum (CING) NAWM. The RIS cohort additionally completed the Processing Speed Test (PST), a measure of processing speed. Results: CC NAWM MHI was higher in RIS versus controls (indicative of myelin damage, p = 0.0140), with similar trends seen in WB, SLF, and CING ( p > 0.05). A moderate correlation was found between CING NAWM MHI and PST scores ( ρ = –0.39, p = 0.040), with similar trends seen in WB, CC, and SLF ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: Diffuse myelin damage was detected in RIS NAWM, along with associations between increased damage and slower processing speed, suggesting a potential pathological mechanism for RIS-related CI.