scholarly journals Measurement of the adult human midbrain with transcranial ultrasound

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247920
Author(s):  
Karl Aoun ◽  
Kay L. Double ◽  
Verity Pearson-Dennett ◽  
Rezzak Yilmaz ◽  
Daniela Berg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Methamphetamine Use ◽  
History Of ◽  
Substantia Nigra Echogenicity

Background Transcranial sonography is increasingly used to aid clinical diagnoses of movement disorders, for example, to identify an enlarged area of substantia nigra echogenicity in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Objective The current study investigated characteristics of the midbrain at the anatomical plane for quantification of substantia nigra echogenicity. METHODS: Area of substantia nigra echogenicity, cross-sectional area of the midbrain, and interpeduncular angle were quantified in two groups of adults aged 18–50 years: 47 healthy non-drug-using controls (control group) and 22 individuals with a history of methamphetamine use (methamphetamine group), a cohort with a high prevalence of enlarged substantia nigra echogenicity and thus risk of Parkinson’s disease. Results In the control group, cross-sectional area of the midbrain (4.47±0.44 cm2) and interpeduncular angle were unaffected by age, sex, or image acquisition side. In the methamphetamine group, cross-sectional midbrain area (4.72±0.60 cm2) and area of substantia nigra echogenicity were enlarged compared to the control group, and the enlargement was sex-dependent (larger in males than females). Whole midbrain area and interpeduncular angle were found to be weak predictors of area of substantia nigra echogenicity after accounting for group and sex. Conclusions History of methamphetamine use is associated with an enlarged midbrain and area of substantia nigra echogenicity, and the abnormality is more pronounced in males than females. Thus, males may be more susceptible to methamphetamine-induced changes to the brainstem, and risk of Parkinson’s disease, than females.

scholarly journals Altered Body Composition of Psoas and Thigh Muscles in Relation to Frailty and Severity of Parkinson's Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiang ◽  
Chen ◽  
Lin
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Muscle Quality ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Thigh Muscles ◽  
Fat Fraction

Background: To investigate the relationship between fat content and the cross-sectional area of psoas and thigh muscles, and clinical severity in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients and 20 age- and sex-matched normal controls were recruited. All subjects underwent MRI study to determine the fat content of the bilateral psoas and thigh muscles. Muscle quality was measured by grasp, walking speed, and cross-sectional area. All patients underwent clinical surveys to evaluate disease severity and frailty, and analyses of the correlations between muscle quality and disease severity were performed. Results: Compared with the controls, patients exhibited higher fatty content in the measured muscles. The higher fat infiltration of measured muscles was significantly correlated with increased disease severity and frailty in patients. The fat fraction of the bilateral medial compartment of the thigh was correlated with the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-I results and the fat fraction of the bilateral anterior compartment of the thigh was correlated with weakness and exhaustion in patients. Conclusions: Decreased quality in psoas and thigh muscles is prominent in Parkinson’s disease which is further associated with disease severity and frailty. Awareness of the risk of sarcopenia and associated sequelae might improve patient care and outcomes.

Ultrasound imaging of vagus nerves in patients with Parkinson's disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
AO Chechetkin ◽  
AN Moskalenko ◽  
EYu Fedotova ◽  
SN Illarioshkin
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vagus Nerves ◽  
Multisystem Disorder ◽  
Cross Sectional

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative multisystem disorder characterized by pathologic α-synuclein aggregation affecting, among other things, vagal fibers. The aim of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vagus nerve (VN) in patients with PD using ultrasound imaging. The study was conducted in 32 patients with PD (15 men and 17 women; mean age 58 ± 10 years) and 32 healthy controls comparable with the main group in terms of sex and age. All study participants underwent ultrasound examination of the VN using a high-resolution transducer. Left VN CSA was significantly smaller in patients with PD than in the control group (1.78 ± 0.52 mm2 vs 2.11 ± 0.41 mm2; р = 0.007). A similar result was obtained for right VN CSA at the trend level. ROC analysis demonstrated that the threshold CSA value of < 2.10 mm2 for the left VN has low diagnostic sensivity (59%) for VN atrophy in patients with PD. Right VN CSA was significantly larger than left VN CSA in both groups (p < 0.001). The analysis of the PD group did not reveal any associations between VN CSA and age, duration and stage of the disease, motor (UPDRS III) and non-motor (NMSQ) scores. Patients with akinetic-rigid form of PD had smaller left VN CSA than patients with the mixed form of the disease (р < 0.05). A moderate inverse correlation was established between left VN CSA and the area of substantia nigra hyperechogenicity on both sides (р < 0.04); for the right VN a similar correlation was established at the trend level. High-resolution ultrasound of patients with PD demonstrated atrophy of the VN and the association of VN CSA with the clinical form of the disease and the ultrasound features of the substantia nigra.

Substantia nigra echogenicity and imaging of striatal dopamine transporters in Parkinson's disease: A cross-sectional study

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 477-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edson Bor-Seng-Shu ◽  
Jose Luiz Pedroso ◽  
Andre C. Felicio ◽  
Daniel Ciampi de Andrade ◽  
Manoel Jacobsen Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Striatal Dopamine ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Dopamine Transporters ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Substantia Nigra Echogenicity

scholarly journals The cross-sectional area of the vagus nerve is not reduced in Parkinson’s Disease patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura C.J. Sijben ◽  
Werner H. Mess ◽  
Uwe Walter ◽  
A. Miranda L. Janssen ◽  
Mark Kuijf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
List Type ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Autonomic Symptoms ◽  
The Cross ◽  
The Right

AbstractObjectiveRecent studies have revealed the importance of the gut brain axis in the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). It has also been suggested that the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vagus nerve can be used in the diagnosis of PD. Here, we hypothesize that the CSA of the vagus nerve is decreased in PD patients compared to control subjects.MethodsIn this study we measured the CSA of the vagus nerve on both sides in 31 patients with PD and 51 healthy controls at the level of the common carotid artery using high-resolution ultrasound.ResultsThe CSA of the vagus nerve was not reduced in PD patients compared to controls (p = 0.391. The mean CSA of the left vagus nerve was significantly smaller than the right (p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between age, gender and autonomic symptoms with the CSA of the left (p = 0.128) and right vagus nerve (p = 0.166).ConclusionThese findings show that the CSA of the vagus nerve using ultrasonography is not a reliable diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of PD.HighlightsThe cross-sectional area of the vagus nerve is not decreased in Parkinson disease patients.The cross-sectional area of the vagus nerve does not correlate with autonomic symptoms.Measurement of the vagus nerve cross-sectional area has a high inter-observer correlation.

scholarly journals Vagus nerve cross-sectional area in patients with Parkinson’s Disease – an ultrasound case-control study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Horsager ◽  
Uwe Walter ◽  
Tatyana D Fedorova ◽  
Katrine B. Andersen ◽  
Casper Skjærbæk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parasympathetic Neurons ◽  
High Frequency Transducer ◽  
The Right ◽  
Left Vagus

AbstractBackgroundVagal parasympathetic neurons are prone to degeneration in Parkinson’s disease (PD). High-resolution ultrasound can precisely estimate the cross-sectional area (CSA) of peripheral nerves. Here, we tested the hypothesis that vagus CSA is reduced in PD.MethodsWe included 56 healthy controls (HCs) and 63 patients with PD. Using a high-end ultrasound system equipped with a high-frequency transducer, five images were obtained of each nerve. The hypoechoic neuronal tissue was delineated offline with dedicated software and the CSA extracted.ResultsIn the initial PD vs. HC comparison, no statistically significant differences were observed in mean left vagus CSA (HC: 1.97mm2, PD: 1.89mm2, P=0.36) or in mean right vagus CSA (HC: 2.37mm2, PD: 2.23mm2, P=0.17). The right vagus CSA was significantly larger than the left vagus CSA in both groups (P<0.0001). Females were overrepresented in the HC group and presented with generally smaller vagus CSAs. Consequently, sex-adjusted CSA was significantly smaller for the right vagus nerve of the PD group (P=0.041), but not for the left.ConclusionA small but significant reduction in sex-adjusted right vagus CSA was observed in patients with PD. The left vagus CSA was not significantly reduced in patients with PD. Ultrasound may not be a suitable method to detecting vagal axonal loss in individual patients.

scholarly journals Atrophy patterns in isolated subscapularis lesions

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gernot Seppel ◽  
Andreas Voss ◽  
Daniel J. H. Henderson ◽  
Simone Waldt ◽  
Bernhard Haller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Atrophy ◽  
Area Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Subscapularis Muscle ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Cross

Abstract Background While supraspinatus atrophy can be described according to the system of Zanetti or Thomazeau there is still a lack of characterization of isolated subscapularis muscle atrophy. The aim of this study was to describe patterns of muscle atrophy following repair of isolated subscapularis (SSC) tendon. Methods Forty-nine control shoulder MRI scans, without rotator cuff pathology, atrophy or fatty infiltration, were prospectively evaluated and subscapularis diameters as well as cross sectional areas (complete and upper half) were assessed in a standardized oblique sagittal plane. Calculation of the ratio between the upper half of the cross sectional area (CSA) and the total CSA was performed. Eleven MRI scans of patients with subscapularis atrophy following isolated subscapularis tendon tears were analysed and cross sectional area ratio (upper half /total) determined. To guarantee reliable measurement of the CSA and its ratio, bony landmarks were also defined. All parameters were statistically compared for inter-rater reliability, reproducibility and capacity to quantify subscapularis atrophy. Results The mean age in the control group was 49.7 years (± 15.0). The mean cross sectional area (CSA) was 2367.0 mm2 (± 741.4) for the complete subscapularis muscle and 1048.2 mm2 (± 313.3) for the upper half, giving a mean ratio of 0.446 (± 0.046). In the subscapularis repair group the mean age was 56.7 years (± 9.3). With a mean cross sectional area of 1554.7 mm2 (± 419.9) for the complete and of 422.9 mm2 (± 173.6) for the upper half of the subscapularis muscle, giving a mean CSA ratio of 0.269 (± 0.065) which was seen to be significantly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Analysis of typical atrophy patterns of the subscapularis muscle demonstrates that the CSA ratio represents a reliable and reproducible assessment tool in quantifying subscapularis atrophy. We propose the classification of subscapularis atrophy as Stage I (mild atrophy) in case of reduction of the cross sectional area ratio < 0.4, Stage II (moderate atrophy) in case of < 0.35 and Stage III (severe atrophy) if < 0.3.

Mildronate as a Regulator of Protein Expression in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Medicina ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergejs Isajevs ◽  
Darja Isajeva ◽  
Ulrika Beitnere ◽  
Baiba Jansone ◽  
Ivars Kalvinsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Western Blot Assay ◽  
Neural Cell Adhesion ◽  
6 Hydroxydopamine ◽  
Cardioprotective Drug

Background. Mildronate (3-[2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium] propionate dihydrate) traditionally is a well-known cardioprotective drug. However, our recent studies convincingly demonstrated its neuroprotective properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of mildronate on the expression of proteins that are involved in the differentiation and survival of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in the rat model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The following biomarkers were used: heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70, a molecular chaperone), glial cell line-derived nerve growth factor (GDNF, a growth factor promoting neuronal differentiation, regeneration, and survival), and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). Material and Methods. PD was modeled by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) unilateral intrastriatal injection in rats. Mildronate was administered at doses of 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg for 2 weeks intraperitoneally before 6-OHDA injection. Rat brains were dissected on day 28 after discontinuation of mildronate injections. The expression of biomarkers was assessed immunohistochemically and by Western blot assay. Results. 6-OHDA decreased the expression of Hsp70 and GDNF in the lesioned striatum and substantia nigra, whereas in mildronate-pretreated (20 and 50 mg/kg) rats, the expression of Hsp70 and GDNF was close to the control group values. NCAM expression also was decreased by 6-OHDA in the striatum and it was totally protected by mildronate at a dose of 50 mg/kg. In contrast, in the substantia nigra, 6-OHDA increased the expression of NCAM, while mildronate pretreatment (20 and 50 mg/kg) reversed the 6-OHDA-induced overexpression of NCAM close to the control values. Conclusion. The obtained data showed that mildronate was capable to regulate the expression of proteins that play a role in the homeostasis of neuro-glial processes.

scholarly journals Changes in lower extremity blood flow during advancing phases of pregnancy and the effects of special footwear

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 214-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Gimunová ◽  
Martin Zvonař ◽  
Kateřina Kolářová ◽  
Zdeněk Janík ◽  
Ondřej Mikeska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Popliteal Vein ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Venous Disease ◽  
Venous Blood Flow ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background During pregnancy, a number of changes affecting venous blood flow occur in the circulatory system, such as reduced vein wall tension or increased exposure to collagen fibers. These factors may cause blood stagnation, swelling of the legs, or endothelial damage and consequently lead to development of venous disease. Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of special footwear designed to improve blood circulation in the feet on venous blood flow changes observed during advancing phases of pregnancy. Methods Thirty healthy pregnant women participated in this study at 25, 30, and 35 weeks of gestation. Participants were allocated at random to an experimental group (n = 15) which was provided with the special footwear, or a control group (n = 15). At each data collection session, Doppler measurements of peak systolic blood flow velocity and cross-sectional area of the right popliteal vein were performed using a MySonoU6 ultrasound machine with a linear transducer (Samsung Medison). The differences were compared using Cohen’s d test to calculate effect size. Results With advancing phases of pregnancy, peak systolic velocity in the popliteal vein decreased significantly in the control group, whereas it increased significantly in the experimental group. No significant change in cross-sectional area was observed in any of the groups. Conclusions Findings in the experimental group demonstrated that wearing the footwear tested may prevent venous blood velocity from reducing during advanced phases of pregnancy. Nevertheless, there is a need for further investigation of the beneficial effect on venous flow of the footwear tested and its application.

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