scholarly journals A Dynamic Relation Between Whole-Brain White Matter Microstructural Integrity and Anxiety Symptoms in Preadolescent Females with Pathological Anxiety

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nakul Aggarwal ◽  
Lisa E. Williams ◽  
Do P.M. Tromp ◽  
Daniel S. Pine ◽  
Ned H. Kalin
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Study Entry ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Brain White Matter ◽  
Microstructural Integrity ◽  
Pathological Anxiety

Abstract Pathological anxiety typically emerges during preadolescence and has been linked to alterations in white matter (WM) pathways. Because myelination is critical for efficient neuronal communication, characterizing associations between WM microstructure and symptoms may provide insights into pathophysiological mechanisms associated with childhood pathological anxiety. This longitudinal study examined 182 girls enrolled between the ages of 9–11 that were treatment-naïve at study entry: healthy controls (n = 49), subthreshold-anxiety disorders (AD) (n = 82), or meeting DSM-5 criteria for generalized, social, and/or separation ADs (n = 51), as determined through structured clinical interview. Anxiety severity was assessed with the Clinical Global Impression Scale and Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Participants (n = 182) underwent clinical, behavioral, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) assessments at study entry, and those with pathological anxiety (subthreshold-AD and AD, n = 133) were followed longitudinally for up to 3 additional years. Cross-sectional ANCOVAs (182 scans) examining control, subthreshold-AD, and AD participants found no significant relations between anxiety and DTI measurements. However, in longitudinal analyses of girls with pathological anxiety (343 scans), linear mixed-effects models demonstrated that increases in anxiety symptoms (SCARED scores) were associated with reductions in whole-brain fractional anisotropy, independent of age (Std. β (95% CI)=-0.06 (-0.09 to -0.03), F(1,46.24) = 11.90, P = 0.001). Using a longitudinal approach, this study identified a dynamic, within-participant relation between whole-brain WM microstructural integrity and anxiety in girls with pathological anxiety. Given the importance of WM microstructure in modulating neural communication, this finding suggests the possibility that WM development could be a viable target in the treatment of anxiety-related psychopathology.

scholarly journals Microstructure of Strategic White Matter Tracts and Cognition in Memory Clinic Patients with Vascular Brain Injury

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 268-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Matthijs Biesbroek ◽  
Alexander Leemans ◽  
Hanna den Bakker ◽  
Marco Duering ◽  
Benno Gesierich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Memory Clinic ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
White Matter Tracts ◽  
Conventional Mri ◽  
Brain White Matter

Background: White matter injury is an important factor for cognitive impairment in memory clinic patients. We determined the added value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of strategic white matter tracts in explaining variance in cognition in memory clinic patients with vascular brain injury. Methods: We included 159 patients. Conventional MRI markers (white matter hyperintensity volume, lacunes, nonlacunar infarcts, brain atrophy, and microbleeds), and fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity (MD) of the whole brain white matter and of 18 white matter tracts were related to cognition using linear regression and Bayesian network analysis. Results: On top of all conventional MRI markers combined, MD of the whole brain white matter explained an additional 3.4% (p = 0.014), 7.8% (p < 0.001), and 1.2% (p = 0.119) variance in executive functioning, speed, and memory, respectively. The Bayesian analyses of regional DTI measures identified strategic tracts for executive functioning (right superior longitudinal fasciculus), speed (left corticospinal tract), and memory (left uncinate fasciculus). MD within these tracts explained an additional 3.4% (p = 0.012), 3.8% (p = 0.007), and 2.1% (p = 0.041) variance in executive functioning, speed, and memory, respectively, on top of all conventional MRI and global DTI markers combined. Conclusion: In memory clinic patients with vascular brain injury, DTI of strategic white matter tracts has a significant added value in explaining variance in cognitive functioning.

Abnormalities in the white matter tracts in patients with Parkinson disease and psychosis

Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (18) ◽  
pp. e1876-e1884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Lenka ◽  
Madhura Ingalhalikar ◽  
Apurva Shah ◽  
Jitender Saini ◽  
Shyam Sundar Arumugham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Inferior Longitudinal Fasciculus ◽  
Microstructural Integrity ◽  
Tesla Scanner ◽  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Dti

ObjectiveThe objective of the current study was to compare the microstructural integrity of the white matter (WM) tracts in patients having Parkinson disease (PD) with and without psychosis (PD-P and PD-NP) through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 48 PD-NP and 42 PD-P who were matched for age, sex, and education. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was used to compare several DTI metrics from the diffusion-weighted MRIs obtained through a 3-Tesla scanner. A set of neuropsychological tests was used for the cognitive evaluation of all patients.ResultsThe severity and stage of PD were not statistically different between the groups. The PD-P group performed poorly in all the neuropsychological domains compared with the PD-NP group. TBSS analysis revealed widespread patterns of abnormality in the fractional anisotropy (FA) in the PD-P group, which also correlated with some of the cognitive scores. These tracts include inferior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, right parieto-occipital WM, body of the corpus callosum, and corticospinal tract.ConclusionThis study provides novel insights into the putative role of WM tract abnormalities in the pathogenesis of PD-P by demonstrating significant alterations in several WM tracts. Additional longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm the findings of our research.

Abstract P020: Atrial Fibrillation and White Matter Microstructural Integrity: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Yuefan Shao ◽  
Melinda Power ◽  
Thomas Mosley ◽  
Rebecca Gottesman ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Cerebral Infarct ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Microstructural Integrity

Background: Evidence suggests atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, even in the absence of stroke. Pathways such as AF-induced brain hypoperfusion and small vessel disease resulting in white matter abnormalities may also compromise cerebrovasculature and brain tissue, which would lead to cognitive impairment and dementia. However, mechanisms responsible for the association between AF and cognitive impairment independent of stroke and cerebral infarcts remain relatively unexplored. The study aims to assess the cross-sectional association between prevalent AF and white matter microstructural integrity (WMMI) as a marker for cerebrovascular disease. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 1937 participants attending the ARIC-Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS) in 2011-2013 that were either black or white and with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Prevalent AF was defined by a history of AF based on study ECG and hospitalization record. WMMI was defined using regional average fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity from Diffusion Tensor Imaging measurements in the MRI. We excluded participants with a prior history of stroke or cerebral infarct. A multivariable regression model was used to assess the association between AF and WMMI measures. Results: Among 1943 participants (mean age = 76 years, 28% black, 60% female), 7% (N= 133) had prevalent AF. After multivariable adjustment, prevalence of AF was not associated with WMMI measurements (Table). Conclusion: In a community-based study, prevalent AF was not independently associated with WMMI in the absence of stroke or cerebral infarct. However, the reduced sample size of the AF population as well as the cross-sectional study design are important limitations. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate prospectively the association of AF with early markers of white matter disease.

scholarly journals MARKERS AND BIOMARKERS OF DEMENTIA BDNF GENOTYPE AND CHANGES IN WHITE MATTER HYPERINTENSITIES AND HIPPOCAMPAL MICROSTRUCTURE IN OLDER MEN AND WOMEN

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S586-S586
Author(s):  
C Elizabeth Shaaban ◽  
Andrea Metti ◽  
Cindy Barha ◽  
Kristine Yaffe ◽  
Caterina Rosano
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Control Function ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Left Hippocampus ◽  
Microstructural Integrity

Abstract Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may protect against cerebral gray and white matter impairments in older age. The val66met genetic polymorphism of BDNF is recently emerging as an early marker of brain structural integrity. However, evidence is sparse, cross-sectional, and mostly in men. In a longitudinal cohort study of community-dwelling older adults (N=139, mean age=81.6, 58% female, 58% white, mean follow-up=3.4 years), we estimated the overall and sex-stratified effects of BDNF val66met polymorphism on changes in cognition and gray and white matter macro- and micro-structure. Annualized percent change was computed for volume of white matter (WM) hyperintensities and gray matter (GM), fractional anisotropy of normal appearing WM, and mean diffusivity (MD) of GM in whole brain and memory and executive control function networks. Significant associations were adjusted for variables differing by genotype (race, APOE4, diabetes, triglycerides, smoking). Compared to met carriers, val homozygotes had slower annual whole brain WMH accrual (median (IQR) 31.4% (61.7) vs. 60.7% (92.4)), stronger in women. Met carriers had slower annual accrual of hippocampal MD (median (IQR) 1.26% (0.92) vs. 1.85% (1.09) for right hippocampus, stronger for women, and 1.45% (1.06) vs. 1.97% (1.22) for left hippocampus, stronger for men) compared to val homozygotes. Associations were robust to covariates’ adjustment. BDNF polymorphism was not associated with cognitive changes. BDNF polymorphism may help in early identification of those more likely to resist accrual of WMH and loss of hippocampal microstructural integrity, with effects varying by sex.

scholarly journals White matter microstructure across the adult lifespan: A mixed longitudinal and cross-sectional study using advanced diffusion models and brain-age prediction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dani Beck ◽  
Ann-Marie de Lange ◽  
Ivan I. Maximov ◽  
Geneviève Richard ◽  
Ole A. Andreassen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Prediction Accuracy ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Diffusion Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Brain White Matter ◽  
Brain Age ◽  
Age Prediction

AbstractThe macro- and microstructural architecture of human brain white matter undergoes substantial alterations throughout development and ageing. Most of our understanding of the spatial and temporal characteristics of these lifespan adaptations come from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion MRI (dMRI), which enables visualisation and quantification of brain white matter with unprecedented sensitivity and detail. However, with some notable exceptions, previous studies have relied on cross-sectional designs, limited age ranges, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) based on conventional single-shell dMRI. In this mixed cross-sectional and longitudinal study (mean interval: 15.2 months) including 702 multi-shell dMRI datasets, we combined complementary dMRI models to investigate age trajectories in healthy individuals aged 18 to 94 years (57.12% women). Using linear mixed effect models and machine learning based brain age prediction, we assessed the age-dependence of diffusion metrics, and compared the age prediction accuracy of six different diffusion models, including diffusion tensor (DTI) and kurtosis imaging (DKI), neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), restriction spectrum imaging (RSI), spherical mean technique multi-compartment (SMT-mc), and white matter tract integrity (WMTI). The results showed that the age slopes for conventional DTI metrics (fractional anisotropy [FA], mean diffusivity [MD], axial diffusivity [AD], radial diffusivity [RD]) were largely consistent with previous research, and that the highest performing advanced dMRI models showed comparable age prediction accuracy to conventional DTI. Linear mixed effects models and Wilk’s theorem analysis showed that the ‘FA fine’ metric of the RSI model and ‘orientation dispersion’ (OD) metric of the NODDI model showed the highest sensitivity to age. The results indicate that advanced diffusion models (DKI, NODDI, RSI, SMT mc, WMTI) provide sensitive measures of age-related microstructural changes of white matter in the brain that complement and extend the contribution of conventional DTI.

Arterial Stiffness Is Associated with White Matter Disruption and Cognitive Impairment: A Community-Based Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 567-576
Author(s):  
Fei Han ◽  
Fei-Fei Zhai ◽  
Ming-Li Li ◽  
Li-Xin Zhou ◽  
Jun Ni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
White Matter Injury ◽  
White Matter Integrity ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Mechanisms through which arterial stiffness impacts cognitive function are crucial for devising better strategies to prevent cognitive decline. Objective: To examine the associations of arterial stiffness with white matter integrity and cognition in community dwellings, and to investigate whether white matter injury was the intermediate of the associations between arterial stiffness and cognition. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional analysis on 952 subjects (aged 55.5±9.1 years) who underwent diffusion tensor imaging and measurement of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Both linear regression and tract-based spatial statistics were used to investigate the association between baPWV and white matter integrity. The association between baPWV and global cognitive function, measured as the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was evaluated. Mediation analysis was performed to assess the influence of white matter integrity on the association of baPWV with MMSE. Results: Increased baPWV was significantly associated with lower mean global fractional anisotropy (β= –0.118, p < 0.001), higher mean diffusivity (β= 0.161, p < 0.001), axial diffusivity (β= 0.160, p < 0.001), and radial diffusivity (β= 0.147, p < 0.001) after adjustment of age, sex, and hypertension, which were measures having a direct effect on arterial stiffness and white matter integrity. After adjustment of age, sex, education, apolipoprotein E ɛ4, cardiovascular risk factors, and brain atrophy, we found an association of increased baPWV with worse performance on MMSE (β= –0.093, p = 0.011). White matter disruption partially mediated the effect of baPWV on MMSE. Conclusion: Arterial stiffness is associated with white matter disruption and cognitive decline. Reduced white matter integrity partially explained the effect of arterial stiffness on cognition.

scholarly journals White Matter Integrity Predicts Delay Discounting Behavior in 9- to 23-Year-Olds: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1406-1421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Olson ◽  
Paul F. Collins ◽  
Catalina J. Hooper ◽  
Ryan Muetzel ◽  
Kelvin O. Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Delay Discounting ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Mean Diffusivity ◽  
Imaging Study ◽  
Temporal Lobes ◽  
Brain White Matter ◽  
Independent Effects ◽  
Age Range

Healthy participants (n = 79), ages 9–23, completed a delay discounting task assessing the extent to which the value of a monetary reward declines as the delay to its receipt increases. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to evaluate how individual differences in delay discounting relate to variation in fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) within whole-brain white matter using voxel-based regressions. Given that rapid prefrontal lobe development is occurring during this age range and that functional imaging studies have implicated the prefrontal cortex in discounting behavior, we hypothesized that differences in FA and MD would be associated with alterations in the discounting rate. The analyses revealed a number of clusters where less impulsive performance on the delay discounting task was associated with higher FA and lower MD. The clusters were located primarily in bilateral frontal and temporal lobes and were localized within white matter tracts, including portions of the inferior and superior longitudinal fasciculi, anterior thalamic radiation, uncinate fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, corticospinal tract, and splenium of the corpus callosum. FA increased and MD decreased with age in the majority of these regions. Some, but not all, of the discounting/DTI associations remained significant after controlling for age. Findings are discussed in terms of both developmental and age-independent effects of white matter organization on discounting behavior.

Whole brain white matter integrity measures on patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). FA and entropy analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Charalambos Yiannakkaras ◽  
Nikos Konstantinou ◽  
Eva Pettemeridou ◽  
Fofi Constantinidou ◽  
Eleni Eracleous ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
White Matter Integrity ◽  
Entropy Analysis ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Brain White Matter

Prospective Study of White Matter Health for an Altitude Chamber Research Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-222
Author(s):  
Desmond M. Connolly ◽  
Henry T. Lupa
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Past History ◽  
Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
White Matter Injury ◽  
Study Entry ◽  
Exposure Limits ◽  
Brain White Matter ◽  
The University

INTRODUCTION: Hypobaric decompression has been associated with brain white matter injury. Relevant exposure limits are unknown, raising ethical concerns over safety of volunteers for altitude chamber research. To inform this, a prospective study of white matter status using brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was conducted before and after a 9-mo program of hypobaric research.METHODS: Volunteers underwent 3-D, volumetric, fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI at the University of Nottingham, UK, on study entry and again after their final exposure. MRI data were analyzed and reported independently at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA. Entry criteria were 5 subcortical white matter hyperintensities (WMH) of total volume 0.08 mL.RESULTS: One volunteer failed screening with 63 WMH (total volume 2.38 mL). Eleven individuals completed 160 short-duration (< 1h) exposures (range 3 to 26) to 18,000 ft pressure altitude (maximum 40,000 ft), no more often than twice weekly. The cohort exhibited eight total WMH on study entry (total volume 0.166 mL) and five (mostly different) total WMH on exit (0.184 mL). Just one WMH (frontal lobe) was present on both entry and exit scans. Excess background WMH on MRI screening were associated with past mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).CONCLUSIONS: One hypoxia familiarization plus multiple, brief, infrequent, nonhypoxic hypobaric exposures (with denitrogenation) have not promoted WMH in this small cohort. Less intensive programs of decompression stress do not warrant MRI screening. A negative past history of MTBI has strong negative predictive value for excess WMH in young healthy subjects (N 33).Connolly DM, Lupa HT. Prospective study of white matter health for an altitude chamber research program. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(4):215222.

Human Brain Diffusion Tensor Imaging Visualization With Virtual Reality

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Chen ◽  
John Moreland
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
Head Tracking ◽  
Fiber Tractography ◽  
Brain White Matter ◽  
Diffusion Tensors ◽  
Visualization Techniques

Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is sensitive to the anisotropic diffusion of water exerted by its macromolecular environment and has been shown useful in characterizing structures of ordered tissues such as the brain white matter, myocardium, and cartilage. The water diffusivity inside of biological tissues is characterized by the diffusion tensor, a rank-2 symmetrical 3×3 matrix, which consists of six independent variables. The diffusion tensor contains much information of diffusion anisotropy. However, it is difficult to perceive the characteristics of diffusion tensors by looking at the tensor elements even with the aid of traditional three dimensional visualization techniques. There is a need to fully explore the important characteristics of diffusion tensors in a straightforward and quantitative way. In this study, a virtual reality (VR) based MR DTI visualization with high resolution anatomical image segmentation and registration, ROI definition and neuronal white matter fiber tractography visualization and fMRI activation map integration is proposed. The VR application will utilize brain image visualization techniques including surface, volume, streamline and streamtube rendering, and use head tracking and wand for navigation and interaction, the application will allow the user to switch between different modalities and visualization techniques, as well making point and choose queries. The main purpose of the application is for basic research and clinical applications with quantitative and accurate measurements to depict the diffusivity or the degree of anisotropy derived from the diffusion tensor.

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