Aging, grey matter, and blood flow in the anterior cingulate cortex

IntroductionThe subgenual part of the anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) has been frequently reported to be structurally and cytoarchitectually changed in major depressive disorder (MDD) and is also a promising target in deep brain stimulation in treatment-resistant MDD. Furthermore, substantial evidence demonstrates a high density of serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptors in the sgACC, a key area involved in emotional processing.ObjectivesHere, we investigated the relationship between the 5-HT1A receptor in the sgACC and changes in regional grey matter volume with voxel-based morphometry.MethodsPET ([carbonyl-11C]WAY-100635) was used to quantify 5-HT1A receptor binding (BPND) together with structural magnetic resonance images from 32 healthy subjects (mean 26.68 ± 5.1 years; 17 women). Regression analysis was performed in SPM8 (p < .001 uncorr.) using sgACC 5-HT1A BPND as regressor, controlling for sex, age and total grey matter volume (GMV).Results5-HT1A BPND in the sgACC was positively associated with regional GMV in the medial temporal gyri (T=4.37) and nucleus accumbens bilaterally (T = 4.19). Furthermore, sgACC 5-HT1A binding was negatively correlated with GMV within the inferior temporal gyri (T = 5.22) and putamen bilaterally (T = 5.12).ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate structural relationships between sgACC 5-HT1A receptor binding and grey matter volume in the ventral striatum as well as in temporal regions, which both exhibit close neuronal connections with the sgACC. Moreover, the GMV of the ventral striatum has been reported to be decreased in patients with MDD. Conclusively, our results underpin the role of serotonergic neuronal transmission in cytoarchitectural processes within regions involved in the modulation of mood.

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Hypoglycemic thalamic activation in type 1 diabetes is associated with preserved symptoms despite reduced epinephrine

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism ◽

10.1177/0271678x19842680 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 787-798 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Munachiso Nwokolo ◽

Stephanie A Amiel ◽

Owen O'Daly ◽

Megan L Byrne ◽

Bula M Wilson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Cerebral Blood Flow ◽

Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Cingulate Cortex ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Regional Cerebral Blood ◽

Cerebral Blood Flow Change ◽

Global Cerebral Blood Flow

Brain responses to low plasma glucose may be key to understanding the behaviors that prevent severe hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the impact of long duration, hypoglycemia aware type 1 diabetes on cerebral blood flow responses to hypoglycemia. Three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 15 individuals with type 1 diabetes and 15 non-diabetic controls during a two-step hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp. Symptom, hormone, global cerebral blood flow and regional cerebral blood flow responses to hypoglycemia were measured. Epinephrine release during hypoglycemia was attenuated in type 1 diabetes, but symptom score rose comparably in both groups. A rise in global cerebral blood flow did not differ between groups. Regional cerebral blood flow increased in the thalamus and fell in the hippocampus and temporal cortex in both groups. Type 1 diabetes demonstrated lesser anterior cingulate cortex activation; however, this difference did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Thalamic cerebral blood flow change correlated with autonomic symptoms, and anterior cingulate cortex cerebral blood flow change correlated with epinephrine response across groups. The thalamus may thus be involved in symptom responses to hypoglycemia, independent of epinephrine action, while anterior cingulate cortex activation may be linked to counterregulation. Activation of these regions may have a role in hypoglycemia awareness and avoidance of problematic hypoglycemia.

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Altered cerebral blood flow in the anterior cingulate cortex is associated with neuropathic pain

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/jnnp-2017-316601 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 89 (10) ◽

pp. 1082-1087 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Keisuke Watanabe ◽

Shigeki Hirano ◽

Kazuho Kojima ◽

Kengo Nagashima ◽

Hiroki Mukai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Neuropathic Pain ◽

Cerebral Blood Flow ◽

Pain Relief ◽

Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Cingulate Cortex ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Pharmacological Intervention ◽

Emission Computed Tomography

ObjectiveTo assess the cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with diabetic neuropathic pain, and its changes after duloxetine therapy.MethodsUsing iodine-123-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine single-photon emission computed tomography (IMP-SPECT), we performed a cross-sectional study of 44 patients with diabetes, and compared CBF in those with (n = 24) and without neuropathic pain (n = 20). In patients with neuropathic pain, we also longitudinally assessed changes in CBF 3 months after treatment with duloxetine.ResultsIMP-SPECT with voxel-based analyses showed a significant increase in cerebral blood flow in the right anterior cingulate cortex and a decrease in the left ventral striatum in patients with neuropathic pain, compared with those without pain. After duloxetine treatment, volume of interest analyses revealed a decrease in cerebral blood flow in the anterior cingulate cortex in patients with significant pain relief but not in non-responders. Furthermore, voxel-based whole brain correlation analyses demonstrated that greater baseline CBF in the anterior cingulate cortex was associated with better pain relief on the numerical rating scale.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the development of neuropathic pain is associated with increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, and greater baseline activation of this region may predict treatment responsiveness to pharmacological intervention.Trial registration numberUMIN000017130;Results.

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