scholarly journals Longitudinal changes in the inferior cerebellar peduncle and lower limb motor recovery following subcortical infarction

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Liu ◽  
Yaomin Guo ◽  
Chao Dang ◽  
Kangqiang Peng ◽  
Shuangquan Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fractional Anisotropy ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Longitudinal Changes ◽  
Cerebellar Peduncle ◽  
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle ◽  
Subcortical Infarction

Abstract Background The cerebellum receives afferent signals from spinocerebellar pathways regulating lower limb movements. However, the longitudinal changes in the spinocerebellar pathway in the early stage of unilateral supratentorial stroke and their potential clinical significance have received little attention. Methods Diffusion tensor imaging and Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower limb were performed 1, 4, and 12 weeks after onset in 33 patients with acute subcortical infarction involving the supratentorial areas, and in 33 healthy subjects. We evaluated group differences in diffusion metrics in the bilateral inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP) and analyzed the correlation between ICP diffusion metrics and changes to the Fugl-Meyer scores of the affected lower limb within 12 weeks after stroke. Results Significantly decreased fractional anisotropy and increased mean diffusivity were found in the contralesional ICP at week 12 after stroke compared to controls (all P < 0.01) and those at week 1 (all P < 0.05). There were significant fractional anisotropy decreases in the ipsilesional ICP at week 4 (P = 0.008) and week 12 (P = 0.004) compared to controls. Both fractional anisotropy (rs = 0.416, P = 0.025) and mean diffusivity (rs = -0.507, P = 0.005) changes in the contralesional ICP correlated with changes in Fugl-Meyer scores of the affected lower limb in all patients. Conclusions Bilateral ICP degeneration occurs in the early phase of supratentorial stroke, and diffusion metric values of the contralesional ICP are useful indicators of affected lower limb function after supratentorial stroke.

scholarly journals Longitudinal changes in the inferior cerebellar peduncle and lower limb motor recovery following subcortical infarction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Liu ◽  
Yaomin Guo ◽  
Chao Dang ◽  
Kangqiang Peng ◽  
Shuangquan Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fractional Anisotropy ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Longitudinal Changes ◽  
Cerebellar Peduncle ◽  
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle ◽  
Subcortical Infarction

Abstract BackgroundThe cerebellum receives afferent signals from spinocerebellar pathways regulating lower limb movements. However, the longitudinal changes in the spinocerebellar pathway in the early stage of unilateral supratentorial stroke and their potential clinical significance have received little attention. MethodsDiffusion tensor imaging and Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower limb were performed 1, 4, and 12 weeks after onset in 33 patients with acute subcortical infarction involving the supratentorial areas, and in 33 normal subjects. We evaluated group differences in diffusion metrics in the bilateral inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP) and analyzed the correlation between ICP diffusion metrics and changes to the Fugl-Meyer scores of the affected lower limb within 12 weeks after stroke. ResultsSignificantly decreased fractional anisotropy and increased mean diffusivity were found in the contralesional ICP at week 12 post stroke relative to controls (all P < 0.01) and those at week 1 (all P < 0.05). There were significant fractional anisotropy decreases in the ipsilesional ICP at week 4 (P = 0.008) and week 12 (P = 0.004) relative to controls. Both fractional anisotropy (rs = 0.374, P = 0.038) and mean diffusivity (rs = -0.499, P = 0.004) changes in the contralesional ICP correlated with changes in Fugl-Meyer scores of the affected lower limbs in all patients.ConclusionBilateral ICP degeneration occur in the early phase of supratentorial stroke and contralesional ICP degeneration may hinder recovery of the affected lower limb. ICP could serve as a potential therapeutic target for improving lower limb function after supratentorial stroke.

scholarly journals White matter differences between essential tremor and Parkinson disease

Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. e30-e39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meher R. Juttukonda ◽  
Giulia Franco ◽  
Dario J. Englot ◽  
Ya-Chen Lin ◽  
Kalen J. Petersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Fractional Anisotropy ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Superior Cerebellar Peduncle ◽  
Radial Diffusivity ◽  
Cerebellar Peduncles ◽  
Cerebellar Peduncle

ObjectiveTo assess white matter integrity in patients with essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson disease (PD) with moderate to severe motor impairment.MethodsSedated participants with ET (n = 57) or PD (n = 99) underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity values were computed. White matter tracts were defined using 3 well-described atlases. To determine candidate white matter regions that differ between ET and PD groups, a bootstrapping analysis was applied using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Linear regression was applied to assess magnitude and direction of differences in DTI metrics between ET and PD populations in the candidate regions.ResultsFractional anisotropy values that differentiate ET from PD localize primarily to thalamic and visual-related pathways, while diffusivity differences localized to the cerebellar peduncles. Patients with ET exhibited lower fractional anisotropy values than patients with PD in the lateral geniculate body (p < 0.01), sagittal stratum (p = 0.01), forceps major (p = 0.02), pontine crossing tract (p = 0.03), and retrolenticular internal capsule (p = 0.04). Patients with ET exhibited greater radial diffusivity values than patients with PD in the superior cerebellar peduncle (p < 0.01), middle cerebellar peduncle (p = 0.05), and inferior cerebellar peduncle (p = 0.05).ConclusionsRegionally, distinctive white matter microstructural values in patients with ET localize to the cerebellar peduncles and thalamo-cortical visual pathways. These findings complement recent functional imaging studies in ET but also extend our understanding of putative physiologic features that account for distinctions between ET and PD.

scholarly journals Discrimination of epileptogenic lesions and perilesional white matter using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Alexander Rau ◽  
Elias Kellner ◽  
Niels A Foit ◽  
Niklas Lützen ◽  
Dieter H Heiland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Fractional Anisotropy ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Focal Cortical Dysplasia ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
P Value ◽  
Radial Diffusivity ◽  
Normal Appearing White Matter ◽  
Diffusion Parameters

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ganglioglioma (GGL), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour (DNET) and FCD (focal cortical dysplasia) are distinguishable through diffusion tensor imaging. Additionally, it was investigated whether the diffusion measures differed in the perilesional (pNAWM) and in the contralateral normal appearing white matter (cNAWM). Six GGLs, eight DNETs and seven FCDs were included in this study. Quantitative diffusion measures, that is, axial, radial and mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy, were determined in the lesion identified on isotropic T2 or FLAIR-weighted images and in pNAWM and cNAWM, respectively. DNET differed from FCD in mean diffusivity, and GGL from FCD in radial diffusivity. Both types of glioneuronal tumours were different from pNAWM in fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity. For identifying the tumour edges, threshold values for tumour-free tissue were investigated with receiver operating characteristic analyses: tumour could be separated from pNAWM at a threshold ≤ 0.32 (fractional anisotropy) or ≥ 0.56 (radial diffusivity) *10–3 mm2/s (area under the curve 0.995 and 0.990 respectively). While diffusion parameters of FCDs differed from cNAWM (radial diffusivity (*10–3 mm/s2): 0.74 ± 0.19 vs. 0.43 ± 0.05; corrected p-value < 0.001), the pNAWM could not be differentiated from the FCD.

scholarly journals Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Kidneys: Influence of b-Value and Number of Encoding Directions on Image Quality and Diffusion Tensor Parameters

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie C. Chuck ◽  
Günther Steidle ◽  
Iris Blume ◽  
Michael A. Fischer ◽  
Daniel Nanz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
Image Quality ◽  
Fractional Anisotropy ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Renal Medulla ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Acquisition Time ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
B Values

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate to which degree investment of acquisition time in more encoding directions leads to better image quality (IQ) and what influence the number of encoding directions and the choice of b-values have on renal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters. Material and Methods: Eight healthy volunteers (32.3 y ± 5.1 y) consented to an examination in a 1.5T whole-body MR scanner. Coronal DTI data sets of the kidneys were acquired with systematic variation of b-values (50, 150, 300, 500, and 700 s/mm2) and number of diffusion-encoding directions (6, 15, and 32) using a respiratory-triggered echo-planar sequence (TR/TE 1500 ms/67 ms, matrix size 128 × 128). Additionally, two data sets with more than two b-values were acquired (0, 150, and 300 s/mm2 and all six b-values). Parametrical maps were calculated on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Image quality was determined with a reader score. Results: Best IQ was visually assessed for images acquired with 15 and 32 encoding directions, whereas images acquired with six directions had significantly lower IQ ratings. Image quality, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity only varied insignificantly for b-values between 300 and 500 s/mm2. In the renal medulla fractional anisotropy (FA) values between 0.43 and 0.46 and mean diffusivity (MD) values between 1.8-2.1 × 10-3 mm2/s were observed. In the renal cortex, the corresponding ranges were 0.24-0.25 (FA) and 2.2-2.8 × 10-3 mm2/s (MD). Including b-values below 300 s/mm2, notably higher MD values were observed, while FA remained constant. Susceptibility artifacts were more prominent in FA maps than in MD maps. Conclusion: In DTI of the kidneys at 1.5T, the best compromise between acquisition time and resulting image quality seems the application of 15 encoding directions with b-values between 300 and 500 s/mm2. Including lower b-values allows for assessment of fast diffusing spin components.

scholarly journals Dysmature superficial white matter microstructure in developmental focal epilepsy

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M Ostrowski ◽  
Daniel Y Song ◽  
Emily L Thorn ◽  
Erin E Ross ◽  
Sally M Stoyell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Fractional Anisotropy ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Epilepsy Syndrome ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Deep White Matter ◽  
White Matter Microstructure ◽  
Benign Epilepsy

Abstract Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes is a common childhood epilepsy syndrome that predominantly affects boys, characterized by self-limited focal seizures arising from the perirolandic cortex and fine motor abnormalities. Concurrent with the age-specific presentation of this syndrome, the brain undergoes a developmentally choreographed sequence of white matter microstructural changes, including maturation of association u-fibres abutting the cortex. These short fibres mediate local cortico-cortical communication and provide an age-sensitive structural substrate that could support a focal disease process. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the microstructural properties of superficial white matter in regions corresponding to u-fibres underlying the perirolandic seizure onset zone in children with this epilepsy syndrome compared with healthy controls. To verify the spatial specificity of these features, we characterized global superficial and deep white matter properties. We further evaluated the characteristics of the perirolandic white matter in relation to performance on a fine motor task, gender and abnormalities observed on EEG. Children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 14) underwent multimodal testing with high-resolution MRI including diffusion tensor imaging sequences, sleep EEG recordings and fine motor assessment. We compared white matter microstructural characteristics (axial, radial and mean diffusivity, and fractional anisotropy) between groups in each region. We found distinct abnormalities corresponding to the perirolandic u-fibre region, with increased axial, radial and mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy values in children with epilepsy (P = 0.039, P = 0.035, P = 0.042 and P = 0.017, respectively). Increased fractional anisotropy in this region, consistent with decreased integrity of crossing sensorimotor u-fibres, correlated with inferior fine motor performance (P = 0.029). There were gender-specific differences in white matter microstructure in the perirolandic region; males and females with epilepsy and healthy males had higher diffusion and fractional anisotropy values than healthy females (P ≤ 0.035 for all measures), suggesting that typical patterns of white matter development disproportionately predispose boys to this developmental epilepsy syndrome. Perirolandic white matter microstructure showed no relationship to epilepsy duration, duration seizure free, or epileptiform burden. There were no group differences in diffusivity or fractional anisotropy in superficial white matter outside of the perirolandic region. Children with epilepsy had increased radial diffusivity (P = 0.022) and decreased fractional anisotropy (P = 0.027) in deep white matter, consistent with a global delay in white matter maturation. These data provide evidence that atypical maturation of white matter microstructure is a basic feature in benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes and may contribute to the epilepsy, male predisposition and clinical comorbidities observed in this disorder.

scholarly journals Evidence of Neural Microstructure Abnormalities in Type I Chiari Malformation: Associations Among Fiber Tract Integrity, Pain, and Cognitive Dysfunction

Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 2323-2335
Author(s):  
James R Houston ◽  
Michelle L Hughes ◽  
Ilana J Bennett ◽  
Philip A Allen ◽  
Jeffrey M Rogers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Chiari Malformation ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Type I ◽  
Digit Symbol ◽  
Span Tasks

Abstract Background Previous case–control investigations of type I Chiari malformation (CMI) have reported cognitive deficits and microstructural white matter abnormalities, as measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). CMI is also typically associated with pain, including occipital headache, but the relationship between pain symptoms and microstructure is not known. Methods Eighteen female CMI patients and 18 adult age- and education-matched control participants underwent DTI, were tested using digit symbol coding and digit span tasks, and completed a self-report measure of chronic pain. Tissue microstructure indices were used to examine microstructural abnormalities in CMI as compared with healthy controls. Group differences in DTI parameters were then reassessed after controlling for self-reported pain. Finally, DTI parameters were correlated with performance on the digit symbol coding and digit span tasks within each group. Results CMI patients exhibited greater fractional anisotropy (FA), lower radial diffusivity, and lower mean diffusivity in multiple brain regions compared with controls in diffuse white matter regions. Group differences no longer existed after controlling for self-reported pain. A significant correlation between FA and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status coding performance was observed for controls but not for the CMI group. Conclusions Diffuse microstructural abnormalities appear to be a feature of CMI, manifesting predominantly as greater FA and less diffusivity on DTI sequences. These white matter changes are associated with the subjective pain experience of CMI patients and may reflect reactivity to neuroinflammatory responses. However, this hypothesis will require further deliberate testing in future studies.

scholarly journals Motor cortex gliomas induces microstructural changes of large fiber tracts revealed by TBSS

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangdong Wang ◽  
Chunyao Zhou ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Yinyan Wang ◽  
Tao Jiang
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Cerebral White Matter ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fiber Tracts ◽  
3.0 T ◽  
White Matter Fiber Tracts

Abstract Gliomas grow and invade along white matter fiber tracts. This study assessed the effects of motor cortex gliomas on the cerebral white matter fiber bundle skeleton. The motor cortex glioma group included 21 patients, and the control group comprised 14 healthy volunteers. Both groups underwent magnetic resonance imaging-based 3.0 T diffusion tensor imaging. We used tract-based spatial statistics to analyze the characteristics of white matter fiber bundles. The left and right motor cortex glioma groups were analyzed separately from the control group. Results were statistically corrected by the family-wise error rate. Compared with the controls, patients with left motor cortex gliomas exhibited significantly reduced fractional anisotropy and an increased radial diffusivity in the corpus callosum. The alterations in mean diffusivity (MD) and the axial diffusivity (AD) were widely distributed throughout the brain. Furthermore, atlas-based analysis showed elevated MD and AD in the contralateral superior fronto-occipital fasciculus. Motor cortex gliomas significantly affect white matter fiber microstructure proximal to the tumor. The range of affected white matter fibers may extend beyond the tumor-affected area. These changes are primarily related to early stage tumor invasion.

scholarly journals Alternative Microstructural Measures to Complement Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Migraine Studies with Standard MRI Acquisition

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 711
Author(s):  
Álvaro Planchuelo-Gómez ◽  
David García-Azorín ◽  
Ángel L. Guerrero ◽  
Rodrigo de Luis-García ◽  
Margarita Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Chronic Migraine ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Episodic Migraine ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Axial Diffusivity ◽  
Average Diffusion ◽  
Cerebellar Peduncle

The white matter state in migraine has been investigated using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures, but results using this technique are conflicting. To overcome DTI measures, we employed ensemble average diffusion propagator measures obtained with apparent measures using reduced acquisitions (AMURA). The AMURA measures were return-to-axis (RTAP), return-to-origin (RTOP) and return-to-plane probabilities (RTPP). Tract-based spatial statistics was used to compare fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity from DTI, and RTAP, RTOP and RTPP, between healthy controls, episodic migraine and chronic migraine patients. Fifty healthy controls, 54 patients with episodic migraine and 56 with chronic migraine were assessed. Significant differences were found between both types of migraine, with lower axial diffusivity values in 38 white matter regions and higher RTOP values in the middle cerebellar peduncle in patients with a chronic migraine (p < 0.05 family-wise error corrected). Significantly lower RTPP values were found in episodic migraine patients compared to healthy controls in 24 white matter regions (p < 0.05 family-wise error corrected), finding no significant differences using DTI measures. The white matter microstructure is altered in a migraine, and in chronic compared to episodic migraine. AMURA can provide additional results with respect to DTI to uncover white matter alterations in migraine.

scholarly journals Nicotine Effects on White Matter Microstructure in Young Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan M Kangiser ◽  
Alicia M Thomas ◽  
Christine M Kaiver ◽  
Krista M Lisdahl
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Fractional Anisotropy ◽  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
White Matter Microstructure

Abstract Objective Nicotine use is widely prevalent among youth, and is associated with white matter microstructural changes as measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In adults, nicotine use is generally associated with lower fractional anisotropy (FA), but in adolescents/young adults (≤30 years), microstructure appears healthier, indicated by higher FA. This cross-sectional study examined associations between nicotine use and white matter microstructure using fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) in young adults. Methods Fifty-three participants (18 nicotine users [10 female]/35 controls [17 female]) ages 18–25 underwent MRI scan, neuropsychological battery, toxicology screening, and drug use interview. Nicotine group associations with FA and MD were examined in various white matter tracts. In significant tracts, AD and RD were measured. Exploratory correlations were conducted between significant tracts and verbal memory and sustained attention/working memory performance. Results Nicotine users exhibited significantly lower FA than controls in the left anterior thalamic radiation, left inferior longitudinal fasciculus, left superior longitudinal fasciculus—temporal, and left uncinate fasciculus. In these tracts, AD and RD did not differ, nor did MD differ in any tract. White matter quality was positively correlated with sustained attention/working memory performance. Conclusions Cigarette smoking may disrupt white matter microstructure. These results are consistent with adult studies, but inconsistent with adolescent/young adult studies, likely due to methodological and sample age differences. Further studies should examine longitudinal effects of nicotine use on white matter microstructure in a larger sample.

Deep microbleeds and periventricular white matter disintegrity are independent predictors of attention/executive dysfunction in non-dementia patients with small vessel disease

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 793-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-wei Cao ◽  
Yao Wang ◽  
Quan Dong ◽  
Xue Chen ◽  
Yan-sheng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Small Vessel Disease ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Executive Dysfunction ◽  
Small Vessel ◽  
Periventricular White Matter ◽  
Vessel Disease

ABSTRACTBackground:Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is the common cause of cognitive decline in the old population. MRI can be used to clarify its mechanisms. However, the surrogate markers of MRI for early cognitive impairment in SVD remain uncertain to date. We investigated the cognitive impacts of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and brain volumetric measurements in a cohort of post-stroke non-dementia SVD patients.Methods:Fifty five non-dementia SVD patients were consecutively recruited and categorized into two groups as no cognitive impairment (NCI) (n = 23) or vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI) (n = 32). Detailed neuropsychological assessment and multimodal MRI were completed.Results:The two groups differed significantly on Z scores of all cognitive domains (all p < 0.01) except for the language. There were more patients with hypertension (p = 0.038) or depression (p = 0.019) in the VaMCI than those in the NCI group. Multiple regression analysis of cognition showed periventricular mean diffusivity (MD) (β = −0.457, p < 0.01) and deep CMBs numbers (β = −0.352, p < 0.01) as the predictors of attention/executive function, which explained 45.2% of the total variance. Periventricular MD was the independent predictor for either memory (β = −0.314, p < 0.05) or visuo-spatial function (β = −0.375, p < 0.01); however, only small proportion of variance could be accounted for (9.8% and 12.4%, respectively). Language was not found to be correlated with any of the MRI parameters. No correlation was found between brain atrophic indices and any of the cognitive measures.Conclusion:Arteriosclerotic CMBs and periventricular white matter disintegrity seem to be independent MRI surrogated markers in the early stage of cognitive impairment in SVD.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document