scholarly journals White matter hyperintensities, cortisol levels, brain atrophy and continuing cognitive deficits in late-life depression

2010 ◽  
Vol 196 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Köhler ◽  
Alan J. Thomas ◽  
Adrian Lloyd ◽  
Robert Barber ◽  
Osvaldo P. Almeida ◽  
...  

BackgroundCerebrovascular changes and glucocorticoid mediated hippocampal atrophy are considered relevant for depression-related cognitive deficits, forming putative treatment targets.AimsThis study examined the relative contribution of cortisol levels, brain atrophy and white matter hyperintensities to the persistence of cognitive deficits in older adults with depression.MethodThirty-five people aged ⩾60 years with DSM–IV major depression and twenty-nine healthy comparison controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were followed up for 18 months. We analysed the relationship between baseline salivary cortisol levels, whole brain, frontal lobe and hippocampal volumes, severity of white matter hyperintensities and follow-up cognitive function in both groups by testing the interaction between the groups and these biological measures on tests of memory, executive functions and processing speed in linear regression models.ResultsGroup differences in memory and executive function follow-up scores were associated with ratings of white matter hyperintensities, especially of the deep white matter and periventricular regions. Compared with healthy controls, participants with depression scoring within the third tertile of white matter hyperintensities dropped two and three standard deviations in executive function and memory scores respectively. No biological measure related to group differences in processing speed, and there were no significant interactions between group and cortisol levels, or volumetric MRI measures.ConclusionsWhite matter hyperintensities, rather than cortisol levels or brain atrophy, are associated with continuing cognitive impairments in older adults with depression. The findings suggest that cerebrovascular disease rather than glucocorticoid-mediated brain damage are responsible for the persistence of cognitive deficits associated with depression in older age.

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A Kraut ◽  
Lori L Beason-Held ◽  
Wendy D Elkins ◽  
Susan M Resnick

White matter hyperintensities are frequently detected on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of older adults. Given the presumed ischemic contribution to the etiology of these lesions and the posited import of resting brain activity on cognitive function, we hypothesized that longitudinal changes in MRI-detected white matter disease, and its severity at a given time point, would be associated with changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) over time. We evaluated MRI scans and resting H215O positron emission tomographic rCBF at baseline and after an average of 7.7-year follow-up in Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging participants without dementia. Differences in patterns of rCBF were evident at baseline and at follow-up between the group of subjects showing increased white matter disease over the 8-year interval compared with the group with stable white matter ratings. Furthermore, longitudinal changes over time in rCBF also differed between the two groups. Specifically, the group with progressive white matter abnormalities showed greater increase in the right inferior temporal gyrus/fusiform gyrus, right anterior cingulate, and the rostral aspect of the left superior temporal gyrus. Regions of greater longitudinal decrease in this group were evident in the right inferior parietal lobule and at the right occipital pole. Changes in white matter disease over time and its severity at any given time are associated significantly with both cross-sectional and longitudinal patterns of rCBF. The longitudinal increases may reflect cortical compensation mechanisms for reduced efficacy of interregional neural communications that result from white matter deterioration.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingqi Xing ◽  
YiShui Zhang ◽  
HongLing Zhao ◽  
SiBo Wang ◽  
YingHua Cui ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundDeep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs), often identified by hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were discovered to have a higher prevalence in migraine patients. A right-to-left shunt (RLS), which is also prevalent in migraineurs, could potentially contribute to the formation of DWMHs by induction of controversial embolism and endothelial dysfunction. In this cross-sectional study, we aim to evaluate the association between RLS and the prevalence of DWMHs in patients with migraine.MethodsIn this study, we consecutively enrolled patients with migraine aged between 18 and 50 years from the 14 headache clinics of participating hospitals. DWMHs were rated using Scheltens scale on digital MRI images obtained from 1.5T scanners, and RLS was detected via contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler. Analyses on DWMH prevalence and loads by RLS grading or subtype were performed. A logistic regression analysis on DWMH prevalence was also performed.ResultsIn all, 237 migraine patients (age: 39.3 ± 11.7, 78.1% women, 13% migraine with aura) were enrolled. RLS was detected in 48.5% of the subjects and DWMHs were identified in 138 (58.2%) patients. Prevalence of DWMHs did not differ significantly between RLS+ (57.4%) and RLS− patients (59.0%, p = 0.74). No statistical difference in DWMH loads was found between different RLS grades or subtypes. Instead of RLS grades (p = 0.75), age (OR 1.067; 95%CI 1.034–1.101; p < 0.001) and aura (OR 4.063; 95%CI 1.492–11.061; p = 0.006) were statistically significant independent risk factors for increased DWMH prevalence in migraine patients.ConclusionsOur findings do not support an association between RLS and DWMHs in migraine patients, regardless of RLS grades or subtypes.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT 03418766; Date of registration: February 1, 2018


2021 ◽  
pp. 088307382110279
Author(s):  
Salman Rashid ◽  
Samantha Weaver ◽  
Khaled Al-Robaidi ◽  
Leon Dure ◽  
Sumit Singh

Background: Cyclic vomiting syndrome is classified as a possible subset of migraine. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of white matter hyperintensities are well documented in migraineurs, but not in patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome. This study focuses on white matter hyperintensities in children with cyclic vomiting syndrome. Methods: We investigated our database of outpatient medical records for the diagnosis codes associated with cyclic vomiting syndrome from January 2008 to October 2018. Results: Brain MRIs were obtained in 31 of 185 patients (∼17%) with a diagnosis code related to cyclic vomiting syndrome. We excluded 13 of 31 patients because of the inaccessibility of images or a confounding diagnosis. Remaining patients were divided into 2 groups: 13 of 18 cyclic vomiting syndrome with migraine (CVS+M), and 5 of 18 cyclic vomiting syndrome without migraine (CVS-M). We found that 3 of the 13 patients in the CVS +M group had migraine-like white matter hyperintensities compared to 0 of the 5 in the CVS-M group. Conclusion: This small study suggests a possible relationship between white matter hyperintensities and CVS+M. A larger study is required to validate these findings.


2006 ◽  
Vol 64 (3b) ◽  
pp. 711-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura B. Jardim ◽  
Flávio Aesse ◽  
Leonardo M. Vedolin ◽  
Cláudio Pitta-Pinheiro ◽  
João Marconato ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: To report the clinical and neuroimaging, central nervous system (CNS) findings of patients with Fabry disease (FD) during 24 months of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with agalsidase-alpha. METHOD: Eight patients were included. Six completed 24 months of ERT. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were obtained at 0, 12 and 24 months of ERT. White matter lesions (WML) were evaluated as well as their relation to age, symptoms and neurological examination (CNS score). RESULTS: MRI was stable in 3 patients. WML and CNS score worsened in one patient, fluctuated in another, and improved in the sixth patient. In the whole series, there were 15 WML at baseline, and 19 at the 24th month. In two years, 4 lesions disappeared, whereas 8 appeared. CONCLUSION: A widespread pattern of silent WML in FD was seen. In two years, some WML appeared, and some disappeared. If these phenomena were related to the natural history, remains to be demonstrated.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Lao ◽  
Robert S. Vorburger ◽  
Atul Narkhede ◽  
Yunglin Gazes ◽  
Kay C. Igwe ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundWhite matter hyperintensities (WMH) are areas of increased signal observed on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that reflect macrostructural white matter damage frequently observed in aging. The extent to which diminished microstructure precedes or results from white matter damage is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that white matter areas that show normatively lower microstructure are most susceptible to develop WMH.MethodsFive hundred fifty-seven older adults (age: 73.9±5.7yrs) underwent diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Diffusion weighted imaging scans were processed into parametric maps of fractional anisotropy (FA) and T2-weighted MRI scans were segmented into WMH. All images were spatially normalized to standard space. A FA template was created to represent normative values from a separate, independent sample of young, healthy adults (N=49, age: 25.8±2.8yrs) and a WMH frequency template was created from the segmented WMH in the older adults. We compared FA values between areas defined as WMH with those defined as normal appearing white matter (NAWM) in the older participants. White matter hyperintensity frequency was binned (0-5%, 5-10%, 10-15%, 15-20%, >20%) and we determined whether WMH frequency bins were different by normative FA values defined in the younger group.ResultsFractional anisotropy values were lower (p<0.001) in WMH regions compared with NAWM regions in the older sample. Areas with higher WMH frequency in older adults had lower FA values in younger adults (5-10%>10-15%>15-20%; p<0.001).DiscussionLow FA values are observed in frank WMH, but FA is also normatively low in regions with high WMH frequency prior to damage. Regions with normatively lower microstructure are more susceptible to future damage from factors such as chronic hypoperfusion or pathology.


2020 ◽  
pp. 135245852094054
Author(s):  
Milagros Hidalgo de la Cruz ◽  
Paola Valsasina ◽  
Claudio Gobbi ◽  
Antonio Gallo ◽  
Chiara Zecca ◽  
...  

Background: Longitudinal evolution of cortical thickness (CTh) in different MS phenotypes has been rarely studied. Aim: To investigate the regional pattern and 1-year progression of cortical thinning in relapsing-remitting (RR) and progressive (P) MS. Methods: 3T high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained from 86 patients (75 RRMS, 11 PMS) and 34 healthy controls (HC) at three European sites at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Using FreeSurfer, baseline CTh between-group differences, longitudinal CTh changes and their correlations with clinical and MRI variables were assessed. Results: Baseline frontal, parietal and sensorimotor atrophy was found in MS versus HC. Such pattern was driven by RRMS, while PMS showed additional parietal, insular and sensorimotor cortical atrophy versus RRMS. At 1-year versus baseline, additional frontal and temporal cortical thinning was detected in RRMS patients, while a widespread CTh reduction was found in PMS patients (significant at time-by-group interaction vs RRMS). In MS, baseline fronto-parietal atrophy correlated with more severe disability and higher lesion volume. Baseline inferior parietal CTh decrease and 1-year temporal cortical thinning correlated with more severe disability. Conclusion: Parieto-temporal baseline CTh abnormalities and thinning pattern over time characterized the main MS clinical phenotypes and were associated with 1-year disability worsening.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Jiménez-Balado ◽  
Jesús Pizarro ◽  
Iolanda Riba-Llena ◽  
Anna Penalba ◽  
Júlia Faura ◽  
...  

AbstractWe aimed to discover blood biomarkers associated with longitudinal changes in white matter hyperintensities (WMH). This study was divided into a discovery phase and a replication phase. Subjects in both studies were patients with hypertension, aged 50–70, who underwent two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sessions and blood extractions over a 4-year follow-up period. In the discovery phase, we screened 1305 proteins in 12 subjects with WMH progression and in 12 matched control subjects. We found that 41 proteins were differentially expressed: 13 were upregulated and 28 were downregulated. We subsequently selected three biomarkers for replication in baseline and follow-up samples in 80 subjects with WMH progression and in 80 control subjects. The selected protein candidates for the replication were MMP9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9), which was higher in cases, MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) and ASAH2 (neutral ceramidase), which were both lower in cases of WMH progression. Baseline biomarker concentrations did not predict WMH progression. In contrast, patients with WMH progression presented a steeper decline in MET over time. Furthermore, cases showed higher MMP9 and lower ASAH2 levels than controls at the follow-up. These results indicate that MMP9, MET, and ASAH2 are potentially associated with the progression of WMH, and could therefore be interesting candidates to validate in future studies.


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