scholarly journals Preserved repetition in thalamic afasia. A pathophysiological hypothesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-249
Author(s):  
Ricardo Nitrini ◽  
Leandro T. Lucato ◽  
Maria C. Sitta ◽  
Maíra O. Oliveira ◽  
Daniel Ciampi de Andrade ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT. The ability to repeat words is almost always preserved in thalamic aphasia. The pathophysiology of both thalamic aphasia and preservation of repetition are not fully understood. In a case of severe aphasia with preserved repetition after a left thalamic hemorrhage, MRI disclosed left thalamic lesion and loss of fractional anisotropy in the left centrum semiovale. FDG-PET showed severe hypometabolism in the left cerebral hemisphere, except for superior and transverse temporal gyri, calcarine fissure and frontopolar regions. Primary sensory function may be less functionally dependent on thalamic connections than heteromodal and paralimbic areas, which have connections with several thalamic nuclei. The extensive cortical hypometabolism due to diaschisis may have been responsible for the severity of the aphasia, whereas the less severe reduction of metabolism in the superior and transverse temporal gyri, and also, albeit less evident, in Broca’s area, might explain the preservation of repetition.

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Y Li ◽  
Dana M Middleton ◽  
Steven Chen ◽  
Leonard White ◽  
Carley R Corado ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare quantitative diffusion tensor imaging metrics in dogs affected with a model of Krabbe disease to age-matched normal controls. We hypothesized that fractional anisotropy would be decreased and radial diffusivity would be increased in the Krabbe dogs. Methods We used a highly reproducible region-of-interest interrogation technique to measure fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity in three different white matter regions within the internal capsule and centrum semiovale in four Krabbe affected brains and three age-matched normal control brains. Results Despite all four Krabbe dogs manifesting pelvic limb paralysis at the time of death, age-dependent differences in DTI metrics were observed. In the 9, 12, and 14 week old Krabbe dogs, FA values unexpectedly increased and RD values decreased. FA values were generally higher and RD values generally lower in both regions of the internal capsule in the Krabbe brains during this period. FA values in the brain from the 16 week old Krabbe dog decreased and were lower than in control brains and RD values increased and were higher than in control brain. Conclusion Our findings suggest that FA and RD in the internal capsule and centrum semiovale are affected differently at different ages, despite disease having progressed to pelvic limb paralysis in all dogs evaluated. In 9, 12, and 14 week old Krabbe dogs, higher FA values and lower RD values are seen in the internal capsule. However, in the 16 week old Krabbe dog, lower FA and higher RD values are seen, consistent with previous observations in Krabbe dogs, as well as observations in human Krabbe patients.


Author(s):  
Ida Rangus ◽  
Merve Fritsch ◽  
Matthias Endres ◽  
Birgit Udke ◽  
Christian H. Nolte

Abstract Background Aphasia is a recognized presenting symptom of thalamic lesions. Little is known regarding its frequency and phenotype. We examined the frequency of thalamic aphasia following Isolated Acute unilateral ischemic Lesions in the Thalamus (IALT) with respect to lesion location. Furthermore, we characterized thalamic aphasia according to affected language domains and severity. Methods Fifty-two patients with IALT were analyzed [44% female, median age: 73 years (IQR: 60–79)]. Lesion location was determined using 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and categorized as anterior, posterior, paramedian or inferolateral. Standardized language assessment was performed using the validated Aphasia checklist (ACL) directly after symptom onset. Aphasia was defined as an ACL sum score of < 135 (range: 0–148). Results Of 52 patients, 23 (44%) fulfilled the ACL diagnostic criteria for aphasia, including nearly all lesion locations and both sides. The average ACL sum score was 132 ± 11 (range: 98–147). Aphasia was characterized by deficits within domains of complex understanding of speech and verbal fluency. Patients with left anterior IALT were most severely affected, having significantly lower ACL scores than all other patients (117 ± 13 vs. 135 ± 8; p < 0.001). In particular, aphasia in patients with left anterior IALT was characterized by significantly worse performance in the rating of verbal communication, verbal fluency, and naming (all p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion Aphasia occurs in almost half of patients with focal thalamic lesions. Thalamic aphasia is not confined to one predefined thalamic lesion location, but language deficits are particularly pronounced in patients with left anterior IALT presenting with a distinct pattern.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taiza E. G. Santos ◽  
Jussara A. O. Baggio ◽  
Carlo Rondinoni ◽  
Laura Machado ◽  
Karina T. Weber ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaojiao Jing ◽  
Feng Zhang ◽  
Li Zhao ◽  
Jinghui Xie ◽  
Jianwen Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of amyloid beta (Aβ) load and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) metabolism and analyze their correlation with cognitive impairment in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients using 18F-florbetapir (18F-AV45) and 18F-FDG PET technology. Methods 27 patients with AD were enrolled. All AD patients underwent detailed clinical and imaging examinations of the nervous system, completed the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tests, and finished 18F-AV45 and 18F-FDG PET scans. NeuroQ software was used to analyze PET images. Results 81.48% (22 out of 27) AD patients had significantly increased Aβ load and 96.30% (26 out of 27) had significantly reduced FDG metabolism. Moderate AD patients had more brain areas of reduced FDG metabolism with more severe reduction in some brain regions compared with mild AD patients, despite there was no differences of Aβ load between these patients. The range of reduced FDG metabolism was negatively correlated with the total scores of MMSE and MoCA, and the degree of FDG metabolism in some brain regions was positively correlated with the total score of MMSE and MoCA. Conclusion Brain 18F-AV45 and 18F-FDG imaging may be potential biomarkers of AD, and 18F-FDG imaging is correlated with the degree of cognitive impairment in AD patients.


Author(s):  
I. Stachura ◽  
M. Pardo ◽  
J. Costello ◽  
D.M. Landwehr

Under experimental conditions severe reduction of renal mass results in the hyperfiltration of the remaining nephrons leading to a progressive renal insufficiency. Similar changes are observed in patients with various renal disorders associated with a loss of the functioning nephrons. The progression of renal damage is accelerated by high protein and phosphate intake, and may be modified by the dietary restrictions.We studied 50 five-sixth nephrectarrized male Wistar rats on a standard diet (Rodent Laboratory Chow 5001 Ralston Purina Co., Richmond, Indiana; containing 23.4% protein) over a 20 week period.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 864-872
Author(s):  
Fernanda Borowsky da Rosa ◽  
Adriane Schmidt Pasqualoto ◽  
Catriona M. Steele ◽  
Renata Mancopes

Introduction The oral cavity and pharynx have a rich sensory system composed of specialized receptors. The integrity of oropharyngeal sensation is thought to be fundamental for safe and efficient swallowing. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are at risk for oropharyngeal sensory impairment due to frequent use of inhaled medications and comorbidities including gastroesophageal reflux disease. Objective This study aimed to describe and compare oral and oropharyngeal sensory function measured using noninstrumental clinical methods in adults with COPD and healthy controls. Method Participants included 27 adults (18 men, nine women) with a diagnosis of COPD and a mean age of 66.56 years ( SD = 8.68). The control group comprised 11 healthy adults (five men, six women) with a mean age of 60.09 years ( SD = 11.57). Spirometry measures confirmed reduced functional expiratory volumes (% predicted) in the COPD patients compared to the control participants. All participants completed a case history interview and underwent clinical evaluation of oral and oropharyngeal sensation by a speech-language pathologist. The sensory evaluation explored the detection of tactile and temperature stimuli delivered by cotton swab to six locations in the oral cavity and two in the oropharynx as well as identification of the taste of stimuli administered in 5-ml boluses to the mouth. Analyses explored the frequencies of accurate responses regarding stimulus location, temperature and taste between groups, and between age groups (“≤ 65 years” and “> 65 years”) within the COPD cohort. Results We found significantly higher frequencies of reported use of inhaled medications ( p < .001) and xerostomia ( p = .003) in the COPD cohort. Oral cavity thermal sensation ( p = .009) was reduced in the COPD participants, and a significant age-related decline in gustatory sensation was found in the COPD group ( p = .018). Conclusion This study found that most of the measures of oral and oropharyngeal sensation remained intact in the COPD group. Oral thermal sensation was impaired in individuals with COPD, and reduced gustatory sensation was observed in the older COPD participants. Possible links between these results and the use of inhaled medication by individuals with COPD are discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-11
Author(s):  
Richard Katz

Abstract This article presents a case report regarding a 34-year-old obese male who works as a chipper and grinder at a steel manufacturing mill and uses high-frequency vibratory power tools. He presents with typical complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome, including numbness in all five digits, wrist pain, nocturnal awakening/numbness, and others. Two-point discrimination (2PD) using a caliper was tested in the digits of the upper extremities and was 5 mm throughout. 2PD first appeared in the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), Fifth Edition, and the Sixth Edition states, “sensory deficits can be challenging to grade, since the clinical examination is based on subjective reports by the patient. Grading is based on the results of sensibility testing and two-point discrimination, to improve inter-rater reliability.” The discussion of “sensibility” involves a concept of sensory perception that is more appropriate in surgery literature than neurological literature, and the discussion of the case report in this article reflects the recent literature regarding 2PD as a measure of sensibility. The authors report that sensibility is not a simple recovery of sensory function following nerve injury but rather is a complex interaction between nerve recovery and modulation of central nervous system function in spinal cord, subcortical, and cortical structures. The authors ask if the value of 2PD in the clinical assessment of impairment has been overrated within the AMA Guides, as was range of motion in the assessment of spine impairment.


2001 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. A399-A399
Author(s):  
J STEENS ◽  
P SCHAAR ◽  
C LAMERS ◽  
A MASCLEE

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