scholarly journals Characteristics of the Uncinate Fasciculus and Cingulum in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Diffusion Tensor Tractography Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chan-Hyuk Park ◽  
Su-Hong Kim ◽  
Han-Young Jung

Many studies have examined the relationship between cognition, and the cingulum and uncinate fasciculus (UF). In this study, diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) was used to investigate the correlation between fractional-anisotropy (FA) values and the number of fibers in the cingulum and UF in patients with and without cognitive impairment. The correlation between cognitive function, and the cingulum and UF was also investigated. Thirty patients (14 males, age = 70.68 ± 7.99 years) were divided into a control group (n = 14) and mild-cognitive-impairment (MCI) group (n = 16). The Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB) and DTT were performed to assess cognition and bilateral tracts of the cingulum and UF. The relationship between SNSB values and the cingulum and UF was analyzed. The number of fibers in the right cingulum and right UF were significantly different between the two groups. The MCI group showed thinner tracts in both the cingulum and UF compared to the control group. A significant relationship was found between the number of fibers in the right UF and delayed memory recall. In conclusion, memory loss in MCI was associated with a decreased number of fibers in the right UF, while language and visuospatial function were related to the number of fibers in the right cingulum.

Author(s):  
Talaat A. Hassan ◽  
Shaima Fattouh Elkholy ◽  
Bahaa Eldin Mahmoud ◽  
Mona ElSherbiny

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis is one of the commonest causes of neurological disability in middle-aged and young adults. Depression in MS patients can compromise cognitive functions, lead to suicide attempts, impair relationships and reduce compliance with disease-modifying treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the microstructural changes in the white matter tracts of the limbic system in MS patients with and those without depressive manifestations using a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technique. Methods This study included 40 patients who were divided into three groups. Group 1 comprised of 20 patients with relapsing-remitting MS with depressive symptoms and group 2 comprised 10 MS patients without symptoms of depression. The third group is a control group that included 10 age-matched healthy individuals. All patients underwent conventional MRI examinations and DTI to compare the fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the white matter tracts of the limbic system. Results We compared the DTI findings in MS patients with and those without depressive symptoms. It was found that patients with depression and MS exhibited a significant reduction in the FA values of the cingulum (P < 0.0111 on the right and P < 0.0142 on the left), uncinate fasciculus (P < 0.0001 on the right and P < 0.0076 on the left) and the fornix (P < 0.0001 on both sides). No significant difference was found between the FA values of the anterior thalamic radiations in both groups. Conclusion Patients with depression and MS showed more pronounced microstructural damage in the major white matter connections of the limbic pathway, namely, the uncinate fasciculus, cingulum and fornix. These changes can be detected by DTI as decreased FA values in depressed MS patients compared to those in non-depressed patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205031211664881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duan Liu ◽  
Zan Wang ◽  
Hao Shu ◽  
Zhijun Zhang

Objective: This study investigated white matter integrity in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment by diffusion tensor imaging. Methods: A total of 83 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and 85 elderly healthy controls underwent neuropsychological testing and a diffusion tensor imaging scan. Whole-brain white matter data were parcellated into 50 regions based on the anatomical ICBM-DTI-81 atlas, and regional diffusion metrics consisting of fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity were calculated for each region. Diffusion tensor imaging indices were compared between groups, and it was determined that between-group differences were significantly correlated with neurocognitive performance. Results: Relative to the healthy controls group, the amnestic mild cognitive impairment group exhibited poorer cognitive performance in all neuropsychological tests except the complex figure test ( p = 0.083) and showed decreased mean fractional anisotropy in the fornix, increased mean diffusivity in the fornix and bilateral uncinate fasciculus, elevated axial diffusivity in the fornix and genu of corpus callosum, and elevated radial diffusivity in the fornix and bilateral uncinate fasciculus ( p < 0.05). Behaviorally, integrity of the bilateral uncinate fasciculus was correlated positively with episodic memory function, while left uncinate fasciculus integrity was positively associated with language function in the amnestic mild cognitive impairment group ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: White matter abnormalities in neural pathways associated with memory were correlated with neurocognitive deficiencies in amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Given that amnestic mild cognitive impairment is putatively a prodromal syndrome for Alzheimer’s disease, this study furthers our understanding of the white matter changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis in the predementia stage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiao Liu ◽  
Jing Tao ◽  
Rui Xia ◽  
Moyi Li ◽  
Maomao Huang ◽  
...  

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common global health problem. Recently, the potential of mind-body intervention for MCI has drawn the interest of investigators. This study aims to comparatively explore the modulation effect of Baduanjin, a popular mind-body exercise, and physical exercise on the cognitive function, as well as the norepinephrine and dopamine systems using the resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) method in patients with MCI. 69 patients were randomized to the Baduanjin, brisk walking, or healthy education control group for 6 months. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were applied at baseline and at the end of the experiment. Results showed that (1) compared to the brisk walking, the Baduanjin significantly increased MoCA scores; (2) Baduanjin significantly increased the right locus coeruleus (LC) and left ventral tegmental area (VTA) rsFC with the right insula and right amygdala compared to that of the control group; and the right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) compared to that of the brisk walking group; (3) the increased right LC-right insula rsFC and right LC-right ACC rsFC were significantly associated with the corresponding MoCA score after 6-months of intervention; (4) both exercise groups experienced an increased effective connectivity from the right ACC to the left VTA compared to the control group; and (5) Baduanjin group experienced an increase in gray matter volume in the right ACC compared to the control group. Our results suggest that Baduanjin can significantly modulate intrinsic functional connectivity and the influence of the norepinephrine (LC) and dopamine (VTA) systems. These findings may shed light on the mechanisms of mind-body intervention and aid the development of new treatments for MCI.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 5483-5496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuo Li ◽  
Geyin Cao ◽  
Qiwen Deng ◽  
Dan Zhu ◽  
Fuling Yan

Objective Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may be beneficial for vascular dementia (VaD). We evaluated the efficacy of Pushen capsule, a compound containing several TCM components, for treating vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI). Methods Seventy outpatients with VaMCI were randomized to Pushen capsule or control treatment with Ginkgo biloba. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Subjective Memory Loss Rating Scale scores; and lipid, lipoprotein, and haemorheological parameters were collected at baseline, week 4, and week 12 of treatment. Results MMSE score at week 12 was significantly higher in the treatment group compared with baseline ( t = −2.352) but was not significantly different from week 12 in the control group. The MoCA score at week 12 was higher than that at baseline for both the treatment and control groups ( t = −2.619 and −2.582, respectively), as was the “delayed recall” item score. Subjective memory loss score and the cognitive function “forgetting acquaintance's name” were significantly higher in the treatment group at week 12 than at baseline ( t = −2.621 and χ2 = 4.419, respectively). Lipid, lipoprotein, and haemorheological parameters were significantly different after treatment in both groups. Conclusion The benefits of Pushen capsule on cognitive function in VaMCI were comparable with that of Ginkgo biloba.


2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-139
Author(s):  
S. A. Krynskiy ◽  
I. K. Malashenkova ◽  
D. P. Ogurtsov ◽  
N. A. Khailov ◽  
E. I. Chekulaeva ◽  
...  

Introduction. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial disease that leads to a progressive memory loss, visualspatial impairments, emotional and personality changes. As its earliest pre-dementia clinical stage, amnestic mild cognitive impairment syndrome (aMCI) is currently considered. Neuroinflammation plays a role in the development and progression of aMCI and the initial stage of AD, which can be supported by immunological disorders of a systemic character. Study of factors, including infections, influencing immune disorders and systemic inflammatory response in patients with aMCI, is of great importance.The aim of this study was to obtain new data on the possible role of herpesvirus infections in the development and progression of aMCI.Material and methods. 100 patients with aMCI diagnosis, 45 patients with AD, 40 people from the control group were enrolled into the study. The frequency of DNA detection of herpesviruses (Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), human herpesviruses (HHV) type 6 and 7, cytomegalovirus (CMV)), the levels of viral load and the serological markers of herpesvirus infections (IgG to HHV-1, IgG to CMV) were determined. Immunological studies included an assessment of the level of the main pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and indicators of humoral and cellular immunity.Results. The study found an increased detection rate of EBV in saliva and a higher level of EBV DNA in saliva in aMCI and AD than in the control group. A relationship between the presence of active EBV infection and changes in immunological parameters in patients with aMCI were found. It was also discovered that the level of IgG antibodies to CMV is associated with the stage of AD.Discussion. The results indicate a possible role of EBV- and CMV-induced infections in the development of immunological changes which are typical for mild cognitive impairment and in the progression of AD. Conclusion. The obtained data can be important for prognostic methods addressing AD development, including its pre-dementia stage, and for new approaches to individualized treatment and prevention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-154
Author(s):  
Fithry Rahma

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a stage of aging that occurs between normal aging and dementia (precedes dementia). Patients with MCI have memory loss who is otherwise functioning normally and does not match the clinical diagnosis criteria for dementia.  MCI is frequently accompanied by cognitive deficits and non-cognitive. One of the most frequent non-cognitive deficiencies is depression. Depression and mild cognitive impairment are closely associate particularly in the elderly and can progress into neurodegenerative disorders like dementia. This indicates that there is a connection that needs to be explored further. Through this review article, a theoretical review of the relationship between MCI with depression and its conversion to dementia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-486
Author(s):  
Wei Pu ◽  
Xudong Shen ◽  
Mingming Huang ◽  
Zhiqian Li ◽  
Xianchun Zeng ◽  
...  

Objective: Application of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to explore the changes of FA value in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: 27 patients with PD were divided into PD with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) group (n = 7) and PD group (n = 20). The original images were processed using voxel-based analysis (VBA) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). Results: The average age of pd-mci group was longer than that of PD group, and the course of disease was longer than that of PD group. Compared with PD group, the voxel based analysis-fractional anisotropy (VBA-FA) values of PD-MCI group decreased in the following areas: bilateral frontal lobe, bilateral temporal lobe, bilateral parietal lobe, bilateral subthalamic nucleus, corpus callosum, and gyrus cingula. Tract-based spatial statistics-fractional anisotropy (TBSS-FA) values in PD-MCI group decreased in bilateral corticospinal tract, anterior cingulum, posterior cingulum, fornix tract, bilateral superior thalamic radiation, corpus callosum(genu, body and splenium), bilateral uncinate fasciculus, bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus, bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus, bilateral superior fronto-occipital fasciculus, bilateral inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and bilateral parietal-occipital tracts. The mean age of onset in the PD-MCI group was greater than that in the PD group, and the disease course was longer than that in the PD group. Conclusion: DTI-based VBA and TBSS post-processing methods can detect abnormalities in multiple brain areas and white matter fiber tracts in PD-MCI patients. Impairment of multiple cerebral cortex and white matter fiber pathways may be an important causes of cognitive dysfunction in PD-MCI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoungwon Baik ◽  
Seon Myeong Kim ◽  
Jin Ho Jung ◽  
Yang Hyun Lee ◽  
Seok Jong Chung ◽  
...  

AbstractWe investigated the efficacy of donepezil for mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD-MCI). This was a prospective, non-randomized, open-label, two-arm study. Eighty PD-MCI patients were assigned to either a treatment or control group. The treatment group received donepezil for 48 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Exam and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. Secondary outcome measures were the Clinical Dementia Rating, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III, Clinical Global Impression scores. Progression of dementia was assessed at 48-week. Comprehensive neuropsychological tests and electroencephalography (EEG) were performed at baseline and after 48 weeks. The spectral power ratio of the theta to beta2 band (TB2R) in the electroencephalogram was analyzed. There was no significant difference in the primary and secondary outcome measures between the two groups. However, the treatment group showed a significant decrease in TB2R at bilateral frontotemporoparietal channels compared to the control group. Although we could not demonstrate improvements in the cognitive functions, donepezil treatment had a modulatory effect on the EEG in PD-MCI patients. EEG might be a sensitive biomarker for detecting changes in PD-MCI after donepezil treatment.


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