Trait Conscientiousness predicts rate of brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis

Background: Conscientiousness is a core personality trait with favorable prognosis in neuropsychiatric disease. Objective: We aimed to determine whether baseline Conscientiousness predicts future brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) after accounting for demographic and basic clinical characteristics. Methods: Trait Conscientiousness, clinical features, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were obtained at baseline. Lateral ventricle volume (LVV) was measured longitudinally. In a retrospective general linear mixed effects model, data from 424 patients were analyzed (mean 6 time-points, up to 15 years). Results/Conclusion: We observed significant age and Conscientiousness by time-from-baseline interactions indicating that younger age and higher Conscientiousness are associated with reduced progression of brain atrophy.