scholarly journals Frontal and Cerebellar Atrophy Supports FTSD-ALS Clinical Continuum

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Pizzarotti ◽  
Fulvia Palesi ◽  
Paolo Vitali ◽  
Gloria Castellazzi ◽  
Nicoletta Anzalone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Volume ◽  
Cerebellar Atrophy ◽  
Pathological Process ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Localize Volume ◽  
Cerebellar Involvement ◽  
Als Patients ◽  
Clinical Continuum

BackgroundFrontotemporal Spectrum Disorder (FTSD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are neurodegenerative diseases often considered as a continuum from clinical, epidemiologic, and genetic perspectives. We used localized brain volume alterations to evaluate common and specific features of FTSD, FTSD-ALS, and ALS patients to further understand this clinical continuum.MethodsWe used voxel-based morphometry on structural magnetic resonance images to localize volume alterations in group comparisons: patients (20 FTSD, seven FTSD-ALS, and 18 ALS) versus healthy controls (39 CTR), and patient groups between themselves. We used mean whole-brain cortical thickness (CT¯) to assess whether its correlations with local brain volume could propose mechanistic explanations of the heterogeneous clinical presentations. We also assessed whether volume reduction can explain cognitive impairment, measured with frontal assessment battery, verbal fluency, and semantic fluency.ResultsCommon (mainly frontal) and specific areas with reduced volume were detected between FTSD, FTSD-ALS, and ALS patients, confirming suggestions of a clinical continuum, while at the same time defining morphological specificities for each clinical group (e.g., a difference of cerebral and cerebellar involvement between FTSD and ALS). CT¯ values suggested extensive network disruption in the pathological process, with indications of a correlation between cerebral and cerebellar volumes and CT¯ in ALS. The analysis of the neuropsychological scores indeed pointed toward an important role for the cerebellum, along with fronto-temporal areas, in explaining impairment of executive, and linguistic functions.ConclusionWe identified common elements that explain the FTSD-ALS clinical continuum, while also identifying specificities of each group, partially explained by different cerebral and cerebellar involvement.

scholarly journals Frontal and cerebellar atrophy supports FTSD-ALS clinical continuum

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Pizzarotti ◽  
Fulvia Palesi ◽  
Paolo Vitali ◽  
Gloria Castellazzi ◽  
Nicoletta Anzalone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Volume ◽  
Cerebellar Atrophy ◽  
Structural Mri ◽  
Pathological Process ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Localize Volume ◽  
Cerebellar Involvement ◽  
Als Patients ◽  
Clinical Continuum

AbstractBackgroundFrontotemporal Spectrum Disorder (FTSD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are neurodegenerative diseases often considered as a continuum from clinical, epidemiologic and genetic perspectives. We used localized brain volume alterations to evaluate common and specific features of FTSD, FTSD-ALS and ALS patients to further understand this clinical continuum.MethodsWe used voxel-based morphometry on structural MRI images to localize volume alterations in group comparisons: patients (20 FTSD, seven FTSD-ALS, 18 ALS) versus healthy controls (39 CTR), and patient groups between themselves. We used mean whole-brain cortical thickness to assess whether its correlations with local brain volume could propose mechanistic explanations of the heterogeneous clinical presentations. We also assessed whether volume reduction can explain cognitive impairment, measured with frontal assessment battery, verbal fluency and semantic fluency.ResultsCommon (mainly frontal) and specific areas with reduced volume were detected between FTSD, FTSD-ALS and ALS patients, confirming suggestions of a clinical continuum, while at the same time defining morphological specificities for each clinical group (e.g. a difference of cerebral and cerebellar involvement between FTSD and ALS). values suggested extensive network disruption in the pathological process, with indications of a correlation between cerebral and cerebellar volumes and in ALS. The analysis of the neuropsychological scores indeed pointed towards an important role for the cerebellum, along with fronto-temporal areas, in explaining impairment of executive and linguistic functions.ConclusionsWe identified common elements that explain the FTSD-ALS clinical continuum, while also identifying specificities of each group, partially explained by different cerebral and cerebellar involvement.

scholarly journals Infratentorial MRI Findings in Rasmussen Encephalitis Suggest Primary Cerebellar Involvement

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. e1058
Author(s):  
Johannes T. Reiter ◽  
Bastian David ◽  
Selma Enders ◽  
Conrad C. Prillwitz ◽  
Tobias Bauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Cerebellar Atrophy ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Rasmussen Encephalitis ◽  
Voxel Based Morphometry ◽  
Mri Findings ◽  
Cerebral Involvement ◽  
Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery ◽  
Cerebellar Involvement

Background and ObjectiveRasmussen encephalitis (RE) is characterized by its unilateral cerebral involvement. However, both ipsi- and contralesional cerebellar atrophy have been anecdotally reported raising questions about the nature and extent of infratentorial findings. Using MRI, we morphometrically investigated the cerebellum and hypothesized abnormalities beyond the effects of secondary atrophy, implicating a primary involvement of the cerebellum by RE.MethodsVoxel-based morphometry of the cerebellum and brainstem was conducted in 57 patients with RE and in 57 matched controls. Furthermore, patient-specific asymmetry indices (AIs) of cerebellar morphometry and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) intensity were calculated. Using diffusion tensor imaging, the integrity of the cortico-ponto-cerebellar (CPC) tract was assessed. Finally, a spatial independent component analysis (ICA) was used to compare atrophy patterns between groups.ResultsPatients with RE showed bilateral cerebellar and predominantly ipsilesional mesencephalic atrophy (p < 0.01). Morphometric AIs revealed ipsilesional < contralesional asymmetry in 27 and ipsilesional > contralesional asymmetry in 30 patients. In patients with predominant ipsilesional atrophy, morphometric AIs strongly correlated with FLAIR intensity AIs (r = 0.86, p < 0.0001). Fractional anisotropy was lower for ipsilesional-to-contralesional CPC tracts than opposite tracts (T = 2.30, p < 0.05). ICA revealed bilateral and strictly ipsi- and contralesional atrophy components in patients with RE (p < 0.05).DiscussionWe demonstrated atrophy of the ipsilesional-to-contralesional CPC pathway and, consequently, interpret the loss of contralesional gray matter as secondary crossed cerebellar atrophy. The ipsilesional cerebellar atrophy, however, defies this explanation. Based on FLAIR hyperintensities, we interpret ipsilesional atrophy to be due to inflammation in the scope of a primary involvement of the cerebellum by RE.

Ring-enhancement in multiple sclerosis: marker of disease severity

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Morgen ◽  
N O Jeffries ◽  
R Stone ◽  
R Martin ◽  
N D Richert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Baseline Period ◽  
Pathological Process ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Conventional Mri ◽  
Potential Association ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Duration Of Disease

Correlations between conventional MRI measures of disease activity and clinical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) have been disappointing. Because ring-enhancing lesions may reflect a more destructive pathology, we tested their potential association with disease severity. We evaluated active lesions with regard to their enhancement pattern on serial magnetic resonance images in a cohort of 28 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. The percentage of ring-enhancing lesions correlated with EDSS, T2 lesion load and duration of disease and predicted the occurrence of relapses during the baseline period of observation as well as after 3 years of follow-up in multiple logistic regression analysis. The findings suggest that the pathological process reflected by ring-enhancing lesions may contribute to more severe clinical disease.

scholarly journals Regional Brain Volume, Brain Reserve and MMSE Performance in Healthy Aging From the NEUROAGE Cohort: Contributions of Sex, Education, and Depression Symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Pettemeridou ◽  
Eleni Kallousia ◽  
Fofi Constantinidou
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Brain Volume ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Aging Brain ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Brain Reserve

Objective: The aim of this study was twofold. First, to investigate the relationship between age, gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes, brain reserve (BR), and specific regions of interest (ROIs) with global cognitive function in healthy older adults participating in a longitudinal study on aging in the island country of Cyprus. Second, to assess the contribution of important demographic and psychosocial factors on brain volume. Specifically, the effects of sex and years of education and the association between depression symptoms on brain volume were also explored in this Mediterranean cohort.Methods: Eighty-seven healthy older adults (males = 37, females = 50) scoring ≥24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were included, with a mean age of 72.75 years and a mean educational level of 10.48 years. The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess depression. T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were used to calculate global and regional volumes.Results: Age was negatively correlated with GM, WM, BR, MMSE scores, and ROIs, including the hippocampus, amygdala, entorhinal cortex, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, and positively with CSF. Higher MMSE scores positively correlated with GM volume. Women exhibited greater levels of depression than men. Depression was also negatively correlated with GM volume and MMSE scores. Men had greater ventricular size than women and participants with higher education had greater ventricular expansion than those with fewer years in education.Conclusions: The reported structural changes provide evidence on the overlap between age-related brain changes and healthy cognitive aging and suggest that these age changes affect certain regions. Furthermore, sex, depressive symptomatology, and education are significant predictors of the aging brain. Brain reserve and higher education accommodate these changes and works against the development of clinical symptoms.

scholarly journals Application of the Anatomical Fiducials Framework to a Clinical Dataset of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Abbass ◽  
Greydon Gilmore ◽  
Alaa Taha ◽  
Ryan Chevalier ◽  
Magdalena Jach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Spatial Correspondence ◽  
Registration Errors ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Point To Point ◽  
Group Structures

AbstractEstablishing spatial correspondence between subject and template images is necessary in neuroimaging research and clinical applications such as brain mapping and stereotactic neurosurgery. In the absence of other quantitative approaches, a point-based set of anatomical fiducials (AFIDs) was recently developed and validated to serve as a quantitative measure of image registration based on salient anatomical features. In this study, we sought to apply the AFIDs protocol to the clinic, specifically focussing on structural magnetic resonance images (MRI) obtained from patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). We first confirmed that AFIDs could be placed to millimetric accuracy in the PD dataset with results comparable to those in normal control subjects. With localization error established, we evaluated subject-to-template registration using this framework by aligning the clinical scans to standard template space using a robust open preprocessing workflow for MRI scans. We found that registration errors from this workflow as measured using AFIDs were higher than previously reported suggesting the need for optimization of image processing pipelines for clinical grade datasets. Finally, we examined the utility of using point-to-point distances between AFID points as a morphometric biomarker of PD, finding evidence of reduced distances between AFIDs around the left temporal horn, brainstem and pineal gland in the clinical group, structures that circumscribe regions known to be affected in PD including the substantia nigra. Overall, we provide evidence that AFIDs can be successfully applied in a clinical setting and utilized to provide localized and quantitative measures of registration error. AFIDs provide clinicians and researchers with a common, open framework for quality control and validation of spatial correspondence and the location of anatomical structures, facilitating accurate aggregation of imaging datasets and comparisons between various neurological conditions.

scholarly journals PECULIARITIES OF REGULATION OF HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN DIFFERENT VARIANTS OF COGNITIVE LOAD IN STUDENTS

2021 ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
E.A. Archibasova ◽  
◽  
V.Yu. Kulikov ◽  
M.I. Voevoda ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Pathological Process ◽  
Total Power ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Regulatory Circuits ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Integral Indicator

With different variants of cognitive load, the corresponding regions of the brain are activated, which is manifested by peculiarities of heart rate variability (HRV). Cognitive load (semantic fluency) contributes to a decrease in the activity of the Total Power (TP) integral indicator in the group as a whole. The use of the autonomic balance index (ABI), which is an objective indicator of the autonomic mechanisms of HRV regulation, reveals that this load is most sensitive for young men, who have more vulnerable parasympathetic NS, while girls do not have such a reaction. When performing the semantic fluency test under conditions of cognitive load (reverse counting), an increase in the TP index was noted. When comparing ABI between groups of boys and girls before the exercise, a significantly higher ABI in girls is noted, that is initially the contribution of the parasympathetic NS to the regulation of HRV is of predominant importance. After the exercise, the ABI in girls decreases which indicate the predominant role of the sympathetic NS as a mechanism for regulating the HRV in response to cognitive load — the ability to count. The development of an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic NS activity under conditions of cognitive load reveals the most vulnerable regulatory circuits, which may become the basis of the corresponding pathological process in the future.

scholarly journals Genetic variation within GRIN2B in adolescents with alcohol use disorder may be associated with larger left posterior cingulate cortex volume

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 252-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shareefa Dalvie ◽  
Samantha J. Brooks ◽  
Valerie Cardenas ◽  
George Fein ◽  
Raj Ramesar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Brain Volume ◽  
Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Posterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Mixed Ancestry ◽  
Posterior Cingulate ◽  
Left Posterior

ObjectiveBrain structure differences and adolescent alcohol dependence both show substantial heritability. However, exactly which genes are responsible for brain volume variation in adolescents with substance abuse disorders are currently unknown. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether genetic variants previously implicated in psychiatric disorders are associated with variation in brain volume in adolescents with alcohol use disorder (AUD).MethodsThe cohort consisted of 58 adolescents with DSM-IV AUD and 58 age and gender-matched controls of mixed ancestry ethnicity. An Illumina Infinium iSelect custom 6000 bead chip was used to genotype 5348 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 378 candidate genes. Magnetic resonance images were acquired and volumes of global and regional structures were estimated using voxel-based morphometry. To determine whether any of the genetic variants were associated with brain volume, association analysis was conducted using linear regression in Plink.ResultsFrom the exploratory analysis, the GRIN2B SNP rs219927 was associated with brain volume in the left posterior cingulate cortex (p<0.05), whereby having a G-allele was associated with a bigger volume.ConclusionThe GRIN2B gene is involved in glutamatergic signalling and may be associated with developmental differences in AUD in brain regions such as the posterior cingulate cortex. Such differences may play a role in risk for AUD, and deserve more detailed investigation.

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