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Pathological TDP-43 changes in Betz cells differ from those in bulbar and spinal α-motoneurons in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 133:79-90. [PMID: 27757524 PMCID: PMC5209403 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-016-1633-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Two nerve cells types, Betz cells in layer Vb of the primary motor neocortex and α-motoneurons of the lower brainstem and spinal cord, become involved at the beginning of the pathological cascade underlying sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS). In both neuronal types, the cell nuclei forfeit their normal (non-phosphorylated) expression of the 43-kDa transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP-43). Here, we present initial evidence that in α-motoneurons the loss of normal nuclear TDP-43 expression is followed by the formation of phosphorylated TDP-43 aggregates (pTDP-43) within the cytoplasm, whereas in Betz cells, by contrast, the loss of normal nuclear TDP-43 expression remains mostly unaccompanied by the development of cytoplasmic aggregations. We discuss some implications of this phenomenon of nuclear clearing in the absence of cytoplasmic inclusions, namely, abnormal but soluble (and, thus, probably toxic) cytoplasmic TDP-43 could enter the axoplasm of Betz cells, and following its transmission to the corresponding α-motoneurons in the lower brainstem and spinal cord, possibly contribute in recipient neurons to the dysregulation of the normal nuclear protein. Because the cellular mechanisms that possibly inhibit the aggregation of TDP-43 in the cytoplasm of involved Betz cells are unknown, insight into such mechanisms could disclose a pathway by which the development of aggregates in this cell population could be accelerated, thereby opening an avenue for a causally based therapy.
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302
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Christidi F, Karavasilis E, Zalonis I, Ferentinos P, Giavri Z, Wilde EA, Xirou S, Rentzos M, Zouvelou V, Velonakis G, Toulas P, Efstathopoulos E, Poulou L, Argyropoulos G, Athanasakos A, Zambelis T, Levin HS, Karandreas N, Kelekis N, Evdokimidis I. Memory-related white matter tract integrity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an advanced neuroimaging and neuropsychological study. Neurobiol Aging 2017; 49:69-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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303
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Menke RAL, Agosta F, Grosskreutz J, Filippi M, Turner MR. Neuroimaging Endpoints in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurotherapeutics 2017; 14:11-23. [PMID: 27752938 PMCID: PMC5233627 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-016-0484-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative, clinically heterogeneous syndrome pathologically overlapping with frontotemporal dementia. To date, therapeutic trials in animal models have not been able to predict treatment response in humans, and the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale, which is based on coarse disability measures, remains the gold-standard measure of disease progression. Advances in neuroimaging have enabled mapping of functional, structural, and molecular aspects of ALS pathology, and these objective measures may be uniquely sensitive to the detection of propagation of pathology in vivo. Abnormalities are detectable before clinical symptoms develop, offering the potential for neuroprotective intervention in familial cases. Although promising neuroimaging biomarker candidates for diagnosis, prognosis, and disease progression have emerged, these have been from the study of necessarily select patient cohorts identified in specialized referral centers. Further multicenter research is now needed to establish their validity as therapeutic outcome measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricarda A L Menke
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Federica Agosta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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304
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Positron emission tomography in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Towards targeting of molecular pathological hallmarks. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2016; 44:533-547. [DOI: 10.1007/s00259-016-3587-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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305
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Schulthess I, Gorges M, Müller HP, Lulé D, Del Tredici K, Ludolph AC, Kassubek J. Functional connectivity changes resemble patterns of pTDP-43 pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38391. [PMID: 27929102 PMCID: PMC5144012 DOI: 10.1038/srep38391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
‘Resting-state’ fMRI allows investigation of alterations in functional brain organization that are associated with an underlying pathological process. We determine whether abnormal connectivity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a priori-defined intrinsic functional connectivity networks, according to a neuropathological staging scheme and its DTI-based tract correlates, permits recognition of a sequential involvement of functional networks. ‘Resting-state’ fMRI data from 135 ALS patients and 56 matched healthy controls were investigated for the motor network (corresponding to neuropathological stage 1), brainstem (stage 2), ventral attention (stage 3), default mode/hippocampal network (stage 4), and primary visual network (as the control network) in a cross-sectional analysis and longitudinally in a subgroup of 27 patients after 6 months. Group comparison from cross-sectional and longitudinal data revealed significantly increased functional connectivity (p < 0.05, corrected) in all four investigated networks (but not in the control network), presenting as a network expansion that was correlated with physical disability. Increased connectivity of functional networks, as investigated in a hypothesis-driven approach, is characterized by network expansions and resembled the pattern of pTDP-43 pathology in ALS. However, our data did not allow for the recognition of a sequential involvement of functional connectivity networks at the individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Gorges
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Dorothée Lulé
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kelly Del Tredici
- Clinical Neuroanatomy, Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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306
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Neural correlates of cognitive set shifting in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2016; 127:3537-3545. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2016.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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307
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Smethurst P, Newcombe J, Troakes C, Simone R, Chen YR, Patani R, Sidle K. In vitro prion-like behaviour of TDP-43 in ALS. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 96:236-247. [PMID: 27590623 PMCID: PMC5113659 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of motor neuron disease (MND), and >95% of familial and sporadic cases involve the deposition of insoluble aggregated, phosphorylated and cleaved TDP-43 protein. Accumulating clinical and biological evidence now indicates that ALS bears a number of similarities to the prion diseases, with TDP-43 acting as a misfolded 'prion-like' protein demonstrating similar underlying pathobiology. Here we systematically address the hypothesis that ALS is a prion-like disorder. First we demonstrate that TDP-43 demonstrates seeded polymerisation in vitro directly from both ALS brain and spinal cord. We next show that the seeding of TDP-43 results in the formation of characteristic insoluble, aggregated, and phosphorylated TDP-43 pathology that directly recapitulates the morphological diversity of TDP-43 inclusions detected in ALS patient CNS tissue. We next demonstrate that this reaction can be serially propagated to produce increasing amounts of phosphorylated TDP-43 pathology, and that aggregates can spread from cell to cell in an analogous fashion to that seen in the prion diseases. Finally, we reproduced our findings in a murine motor neuron-like cell line (NSC-34), where the seeding of TDP-43 induces the formation of TDP-43 oligomers and reduced cell viability. These findings may guide therapeutic strategies in this rapidly progressive and invariably fatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Smethurst
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Jia Newcombe
- NeuroResource, UCL Institute of Neurology, Department of Neuroinflammation, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Troakes
- London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, DeCrispigny Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roberto Simone
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Yun-Ru Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang District, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Sidle
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom.
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308
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Di Lazzaro V, Pellegrino G, Capone F, Florio L, Dileone M, Cioni B, Ranieri F. Reduction of disease progression in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis after several years of epidural motor cortex stimulation. Brain Stimul 2016; 10:324-325. [PMID: 27931885 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Alberto Sordi, Research Institute for Ageing, Via Álvaro del Portillo 5, 00128, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Pellegrino
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy; IRCCS, Fondazione Ospedale San Camillo, Venice, Italy
| | - Fioravante Capone
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Alberto Sordi, Research Institute for Ageing, Via Álvaro del Portillo 5, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Florio
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Alberto Sordi, Research Institute for Ageing, Via Álvaro del Portillo 5, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Dileone
- CINAC, HM Puerta del Sur, Hospitales de Madrid, CEU San Pablo University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatrice Cioni
- Neurosurgery, Università Cattolica - Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Ranieri
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Alberto Sordi, Research Institute for Ageing, Via Álvaro del Portillo 5, 00128, Rome, Italy
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309
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Fomina T, Lohmann G, Erb M, Ethofer T, Schölkopf B, Grosse-Wentrup M. Self-regulation of brain rhythms in the precuneus: a novel BCI paradigm for patients with ALS. J Neural Eng 2016; 13:066021. [PMID: 27841159 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2560/13/6/066021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Electroencephalographic (EEG) brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) hold promise in restoring communication for patients with completely locked-in stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, these patients cannot use existing EEG-based BCIs, arguably because such systems rely on brain processes that are impaired in the late stages of ALS. In this work, we introduce a novel BCI designed for patients in late stages of ALS based on high-level cognitive processes that are less likely to be affected by ALS. APPROACH We trained two ALS patients via EEG-based neurofeedback to use self-regulation of theta or gamma oscillations in the precuneus for basic communication. Because there is a tight connection between the precuneus and consciousness, precuneus oscillations are arguably generated by high-level cognitive processes, which are less likely to be affected by ALS than processes linked to the peripheral nervous system. MAIN RESULTS Both patients learned to self-regulate their precuneus oscillations and achieved stable online decoding accuracy over the course of disease progression. One patient achieved a mean online decoding accuracy in a binary decision task of 70.55% across 26 training sessions, and the other patient achieved 59.44% across 16 training sessions. We provide empirical evidence that these oscillations were cortical in nature and originated from the intersection of the precuneus, cuneus, and posterior cingulate. SIGNIFICANCE Our results establish that ALS patients can employ self-regulation of precuneus oscillations for communication. Such a BCI is likely to be available to ALS patients as long as their consciousness supports communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Fomina
- Department Empirical Inference, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Tübingen, Germany. IMPRS for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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310
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Zhang JQ, Ji B, Zhou CY, Li LC, Li ZH, Hu XP, Hu J. Differential Impairment of Thalamocortical Structural Connectivity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. CNS Neurosci Ther 2016; 23:155-161. [PMID: 27860375 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Revised: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The thalamus is a major relay station that modulates input from many cortical areas and a filter for sensory input and is involved in the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, it still remains unclear whether all thalamocortical networks are affected or whether there is selective vulnerability. In this study, we aimed to study the selective vulnerability of different thalamocortical structural connections in ALS and to test the hypothesis of a specific impairment in motor-related thalamocortical connectivity. METHODS Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography was used to identify thalamocortical structural pathways in 38 individuals with ALS and 35 gender/age-matched control subjects. Thalami of both groups were parcellated into subregions based on local patterns of thalamocortical connectivity. DTI measures of these distinct thalamocortical connections were derived and compared between groups. RESULTS The analysis of probabilistic tractography showed that the structural connectivity between bilateral pre/primary motor cortices and associated thalamic subregions was specifically impaired in patients with ALS, while the other thalamocortical connections remained relatively intact. In addition, fractional anisotropy values of the impaired thalamocortical motor pathway were inversely correlated with the disease duration. CONCLUSION Our findings provide direct evidence for selective impairment of the thalamocortical structural connectivity in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiu-Quan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Biomedical Imaging Technology Center, Emory University/Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bing Ji
- Biomedical Imaging Technology Center, Emory University/Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chao-Yang Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Long-Chuan Li
- Biomedical Imaging Technology Center, Emory University/Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhi-Hao Li
- Biomedical Imaging Technology Center, Emory University/Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Institute of affective and Social Neuroscience, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jun Hu
- Department of Neurology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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311
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Floeter MK, Bageac D, Danielian LE, Braun LE, Traynor BJ, Kwan JY. Longitudinal imaging in C9orf72 mutation carriers: Relationship to phenotype. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2016; 12:1035-1043. [PMID: 27995069 PMCID: PMC5153604 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Expansion mutations in the C9orf72 gene may cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), or mixtures of the two clinical phenotypes. Different imaging findings have been described for C9orf72-associated diseases in comparison with sporadic patients with the same phenotypes, but it is uncertain whether different phenotypes have a common genotype-associated imaging signature. To address this question, 27 unrelated C9orf72 expansion mutation carriers (C9 +) with varied phenotypes, 28 age-matched healthy controls and 22 patients with sporadic ALS (sALS) underwent 3T MRI scanning and clinical phenotyping. Measures of brain volumes and cortical thickness were extracted from T1 images. Compared to healthy controls and sALS patients, symptomatic C9 + subjects had greater ventricular volume loss and thalamic atrophy for age, with diffuse, patchy cortical thinning. Asymptomatic carriers did not differ from controls. C9 + ALS and ALS-FTD patients had less thinning of the motor cortex than sALS patients, but more thinning in extramotor regions, particularly in frontal and temporal lobes. C9 + ALS patients differed from sporadic ALS patients in the thickness of the superior frontal gyrus and lateral orbitofrontal cortex. Thickness of the precentral gyrus was weakly correlated with the revised ALS functional rating scale. Thickness of many cortical regions, including several frontal and temporal regions, was moderately correlated with letter fluency scores. Letter fluency scores were weakly correlated with ventricular and thalamic volume. To better understand how imaging findings are related to disease progression, nineteen C9 + subjects and 23 healthy controls were scanned approximately 6 months later. Ventricular volume increased in C9 + patients with FTD and ALS-FTD phenotypes and remained stable in asymptomatic C9 + subjects. We conclude that diffuse atrophy is a common underlying feature of disease associated with C9orf72 mutations across its clinical phenotypes. Ventricular enlargement can be measured over a 6-month time frame, and appears to be faster in patients with cognitive impairment. Patchy cortical thinning and diffuse atrophy are a hallmark of symptomatic ALS and FTD C9orf72 mutation carriers. Symptomatic C9orf72 carriers have more atrophy and diffuse thinning than sporadic ALS patients and healthy controls. Ventricular enlargement can be detected over a 6-month interval in symptomatic C9orf72 carriers. Impaired letter fluency is associated with diffuse cortical thinning. Changes in letter fluency, but not ALSFRS-R are correlated with 6-month ventricular enlargement.
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Key Words
- ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- ALSFRS-R, ALS functional rating scale — revised
- ANCOVA, analysis of covariance
- ANOVA, analysis of variance
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- C9orf72
- C9 +, subjects with C9orf72 expansion mutations
- CSF, cerebrospinal fluid
- Cortical thickness
- DRS-2, Mattis dementia rating scale
- DTI, diffusion tensor imaging
- Diffusion tensor imaging
- FBI, frontobehavioral inventory
- FDR, false discovery rate correction
- FTD, frontotemporal dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- SD, standard deviation
- TIV, total intracranial volume
- Ventricular volume
- bvFTD, behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia
- sALS, sporadic ALS
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Kay Floeter
- Motor Neuron Disorders Unit, OCD, NINDS, NIH 10 Center Drive Room 7-5680 Bethesda, MD 20892-1404, United States
| | - Devin Bageac
- Motor Neuron Disorders Unit, OCD, NINDS, NIH 10 Center Drive Room 7-5680 Bethesda, MD 20892-1404, United States
| | - Laura E Danielian
- Motor Neuron Disorders Unit, OCD, NINDS, NIH 10 Center Drive Room 7-5680 Bethesda, MD 20892-1404, United States
| | - Laura E Braun
- Motor Neuron Disorders Unit, OCD, NINDS, NIH 10 Center Drive Room 7-5680 Bethesda, MD 20892-1404, United States
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Neuromuscular Disease Research Section LNG, NIA, NIH 35 Convent Drive Room 1A213 Bethesda, MD 20892-3707, United States
| | - Justin Y Kwan
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, 110 S. Paca Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
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312
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Schäfer MK, Bellouze S, Jacquier A, Schaller S, Richard L, Mathis S, Vallat JM, Haase G. Sensory neuropathy in progressive motor neuronopathy (pmn) mice is associated with defects in microtubule polymerization and axonal transport. Brain Pathol 2016; 27:459-471. [PMID: 27488538 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are now recognized as multi-system disorders also involving various non-motor neuronal cell types. The precise extent and mechanistic basis of non-motor neuron damage in human ALS and ALS animal models remain however unclear. To address this, we here studied progressive motor neuronopathy (pmn) mice carrying a missense loss-of-function mutation in tubulin binding cofactor E (TBCE). These mice manifest a particularly aggressive form of motor axon dying back and display a microtubule loss, similar to that induced by human ALS-linked TUBA4A mutations. Using whole nerve confocal imaging of pmn × thy1.2-YFP16 fluorescent reporter mice and electron microscopy, we demonstrate axonal discontinuities, bead-like spheroids and ovoids in pmn suralis nerves indicating prominent sensory neuropathy. The axonal alterations qualitatively resemble those in phrenic motor nerves but do not culminate in the loss of myelinated fibers. We further show that the pmn mutation decreases the level of TBCE, impedes microtubule polymerization in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and causes progressive loss of microtubules in large and small caliber suralis axons. Live imaging of axonal transport using GFP-tagged tetanus toxin C-fragment (GFP-TTC) demonstrates defects in microtubule-based transport in pmn DRG neurons, providing a potential explanation for the axonal alterations in sensory nerves. This study unravels sensory neuropathy as a pathological feature of mouse pmn, and discusses the potential contribution of cytoskeletal defects to sensory neuropathy in human motor neuron disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Schäfer
- Department of Anesthesiology and Research Center Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Sarah Bellouze
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and Aix-Marseille Université UMR 7289, Marseille, France
| | - Arnaud Jacquier
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and Aix-Marseille Université UMR 7289, Marseille, France
| | - Sébastien Schaller
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and Aix-Marseille Université UMR 7289, Marseille, France
| | - Laurence Richard
- Laboratoire de Neurologie, Centre de référence national "Neuropathies périphériques rares", Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire (CHU), Limoges, France
| | - Stéphane Mathis
- Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire (CHU) Poitiers, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Jean-Michel Vallat
- Laboratoire de Neurologie, Centre de référence national "Neuropathies périphériques rares", Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire (CHU), Limoges, France
| | - Georg Haase
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and Aix-Marseille Université UMR 7289, Marseille, France
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313
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Aho-Özhan HEA, Keller J, Heimrath J, Uttner I, Kassubek J, Birbaumer N, Ludolph AC, Lulé D. Perception of Emotional Facial Expressions in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at Behavioural and Brain Metabolic Level. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164655. [PMID: 27741285 PMCID: PMC5065224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) primarily impairs motor abilities but also affects cognition and emotional processing. We hypothesise that subjective ratings of emotional stimuli depicting social interactions and facial expressions is changed in ALS. It was found that recognition of negative emotions and ability to mentalize other's intentions is reduced. METHODS Processing of emotions in faces was investigated. A behavioural test of Ekman faces expressing six basic emotions was presented to 30 ALS patients and 29 age-, gender and education matched healthy controls. Additionally, a subgroup of 15 ALS patients that were able to lie supine in the scanner and 14 matched healthy controls viewed the Ekman faces during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Affective state and a number of daily social contacts were measured. RESULTS ALS patients recognized disgust and fear less accurately than healthy controls. In fMRI, reduced brain activity was seen in areas involved in processing of negative emotions replicating our previous results. During processing of sad faces, increased brain activity was seen in areas associated with social emotions in right inferior frontal gyrus and reduced activity in hippocampus bilaterally. No differences in brain activity were seen for any of the other emotional expressions. Inferior frontal gyrus activity for sad faces was associated with increased amount of social contacts of ALS patients. CONCLUSION ALS patients showed decreased brain and behavioural responses in processing of disgust and fear and an altered brain response pattern for sadness. The negative consequences of neurodegenerative processes in the course of ALS might be counteracted by positive emotional activity and positive social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jürgen Keller
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Ingo Uttner
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Niels Birbaumer
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- The Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Dorothée Lulé
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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314
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De Conti L, Baralle M, Buratti E. Neurodegeneration and RNA-binding proteins. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2016; 8. [PMID: 27659427 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the eukaryotic nucleus, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play a very important role in the life cycle of both coding and noncoding RNAs. As soon as they are transcribed, in fact, all RNA molecules within a cell are bound by distinct sets of RBPs that have the task of regulating its correct processing, transport, stability, and function/translation up to its final degradation. These tasks are particularly important in cells that have a complex RNA metabolism, such as neurons. Not surprisingly, therefore, recent findings have shown that the misregulation of genes involved in RNA metabolism or the autophagy/proteasome pathway plays an important role in the onset and progression of several neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we aim to review the recent advances that link neurodegenerative processes and RBP proteins. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1394. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1394 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura De Conti
- Biotechnology Development Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Baralle
- Biotechnology Development Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Emanuele Buratti
- Molecular Pathology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
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315
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Mathis S, Couratier P, Julian A, Vallat JM, Corcia P, Le Masson G. Management and therapeutic perspectives in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 17:263-276. [DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2016.1227705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Mathis
- Department of Neurology, Neuro-Muscular Unit and ALS Center, CHU de Bordeaux, groupe hospitalier Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France
| | - Philippe Couratier
- Department of Neurology, ALS center, Centre de compétence SLA-fédération Tours-Limoges, CHU de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Adrien Julian
- Department of Neurology, CHU Poitiers, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Jean-Michel Vallat
- Department and Laboratory of Neurology, Centre de Référence ‘neuropathies périphériques rares’, University Hospital of Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Philippe Corcia
- Department of Neurology, ALS center, Centre de compétence SLA-fédération Tours-Limoges, CHU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Gwendal Le Masson
- Department of Neurology, Neuro-Muscular Unit and ALS Center, CHU de Bordeaux, groupe hospitalier Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France
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316
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Corticoefferent pathways in pure lower motor neuron disease: a diffusion tensor imaging study. J Neurol 2016; 263:2430-2437. [PMID: 27624123 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-016-8281-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Criteria for assessing upper motor neuron pathology in lower motor neuron disease (LMND) still remain major issues in clinical diagnosis. This study was designed to investigate patients with the clinical diagnosis of adult pure LMND by use of whole brain based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to delineate alterations of corticoefferent pathways in vivo. Comparison of fractional anisotropy (FA) maps was performed by whole brain-based spatial statistics for 37 LMND patients vs. 53 matched controls to detect white matter structural alterations. LMND patients were clinically differentiated in fast and slow progressors. Furthermore, tract specific alterations were investigated by fiber tracking techniques according to the staging hypothesis for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The analysis of white matter structural connectivity demonstrated widespread and characteristic patterns of alterations in patients with LMND, predominantly along the corticospinal tract (CST), with multiple clusters of regional FA reductions in the motor system at p < 0.05 (corrected for multiple comparisons). Fast progressing LMND showed substantial CST involvement, while slow progressors showed less CST alterations. In the tract-specific analysis according to the ALS-staging pattern as suggested by Braak, fast progressing LMND showed significant alterations of ALS-related tract systems beyond the CST compared to slow progressors and controls. In clinically pure LMND patients, the involvement of corticoefferent fibers was demonstrated, in particular along the CST, supporting the hypothesis that LMND is a phenotypical variant of ALS. This finding suggests to treat these patients like ALS, including the opportunity to participate in clinical trials.
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317
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neuron disease is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The primary involvement is of motor neurons in the brain, spinal cord and peripherally. There is secondary weakness of muscles and primary involvement of other brain regions, especially involving cognition. SOURCES OF DATA Peer-reviewed journal articles and reviews. PubMed.gov AREAS OF AGREEMENT The pathogenesis of ALS remains largely unknown. There are a wide range of potential mechanisms related to neurodegeneration. An increasing number of genetic factors are recognized. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY There remains controversy, or lack of knowledge, in explaining how cellular events manifest as the complex human disease. There is controversy as to how well cellular and animal models of disease relate to the human disease. GROWING POINTS Large-scale international collaborative genetic epidemiological studies are replacing local studies. Therapies related to pathogenesis remain elusive, with the greatest advances to date relating to provision of care (including multidisciplinary management) and supportive care (nutrition and respiratory support). AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH The identification of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeats as the most frequent genetic background to ALS, and the association with frontotemporal dementia, gives the potential of a genetic background against which to study other risk factors, triggers and pathogenic mechanisms, and to develop potential therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Morgan
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Richard W Orrell
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK
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318
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Eraña H, Venegas V, Moreno J, Castilla J. Prion-like disorders and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: An overview of the mechanistic features that are shared by the various disease-related misfolded proteins. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 483:1125-1136. [PMID: 27590581 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.08.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases or Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of fatal neurodegenerative disorders affecting several mammalian species. Its causative agent, disease-associated prion protein (PrPd), is a self-propagating β-sheet rich aberrant conformation of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) with neurotoxic and aggregation-prone properties, capable of inducing misfolding of PrPC molecules. PrPd is the major constituent of prions and, most importantly, is the first known example of a protein with infectious attributes. It has been suggested that similar molecular mechanisms could be shared by other proteins implicated in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or systemic amyloidoses. Accordingly, several terms have been proposed to collectively group all these disorders. Through the stringent evaluation of those aspects that characterise TSE-causing prions, in particular propagation and spread, strain variability or transmissibility, we will discuss whether terms such as "prion", "prion-like", "prionoid" or "propagon" can be used when referring to the aetiological agents of the above other disorders. Moreover, it will also be discussed whether the term "infectious", which defines a prion essential trait, is currently misused when referring to the other misfolded proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasier Eraña
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Vanesa Venegas
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Jorge Moreno
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48011, Bizkaia, Spain.
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319
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Grolez G, Moreau C, Danel-Brunaud V, Delmaire C, Lopes R, Pradat PF, El Mendili MM, Defebvre L, Devos D. The value of magnetic resonance imaging as a biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review. BMC Neurol 2016; 16:155. [PMID: 27567641 PMCID: PMC5002331 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-016-0672-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease that mainly affects the motor system. A number of potentially neuroprotective and neurorestorative disease-modifying drugs are currently in clinical development. At present, the evaluation of a drug's clinical efficacy in ALS is based on the ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised, motor tests and survival. However, these endpoints are general, variable and late-stage measures of the ALS disease process and thus require the long-term assessment of large cohorts. Hence, there is a need for more sensitive radiological biomarkers. Various sequences for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord have may have value as surrogate biomarkers for use in future clinical trials. Here, we review the MRI findings in ALS, their clinical correlations, and their limitations and potential role as biomarkers. METHODS The PubMed database was screened to identify studies using MRI in ALS. We included general MRI studies with a control group and an ALS group and longitudinal studies even if a control group was lacking. RESULTS A total of 116 studies were analysed with MRI data and clinical correlations. The most disease-sensitive MRI patterns are in motor regions but the brain is more broadly affected. CONCLUSION Despite the existing MRI biomarkers, there is a need for large cohorts with long term MRI and clinical follow-up. MRI assessment could be improved by standardized MRI protocols with multicentre studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Grolez
- Department of Movement Disorders and Neurology, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
- INSERM U1171, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - C. Moreau
- Department of Movement Disorders and Neurology, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
- INSERM U1171, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - V. Danel-Brunaud
- Department of Movement Disorders and Neurology, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
- INSERM U1171, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - C. Delmaire
- INSERM U1171, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
- Department of Neuroradiology, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - R. Lopes
- INSERM U1171, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
- Department of Neuroradiology, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - P. F. Pradat
- Laboratoire d’Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
- Département des Maladies du Système Nerveux, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, APHP, Paris, France
| | - M. M. El Mendili
- Laboratoire d’Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - L. Defebvre
- Department of Movement Disorders and Neurology, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
- INSERM U1171, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - D. Devos
- Department of Movement Disorders and Neurology, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
- INSERM U1171, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Lille University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lille, Lille, France
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320
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Burrell JR, Halliday GM, Kril JJ, Ittner LM, Götz J, Kiernan MC, Hodges JR. The frontotemporal dementia-motor neuron disease continuum. Lancet 2016; 388:919-31. [PMID: 26987909 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)00737-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Early reports of cognitive and behavioural deficits in motor neuron disease might have been overlooked initially, but the concept of a frontotemporal dementia-motor neuron disease continuum has emerged during the past decade. Frontotemporal dementia-motor neuron disease is now recognised as an important dementia syndrome, which presents substantial challenges for diagnosis and management. Frontotemporal dementia, motor neuron disease, and frontotemporal dementia-motor neuron disease are characterised by overlapping patterns of TAR DNA binding protein (TDP-43) pathology, while the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) repeat expansion is common across the disease spectrum. Indeed, the C9orf72 repeat expansion provides important clues to disease pathogenesis and suggests potential therapeutic targets. Variable diagnostic criteria identify motor, cognitive, and behavioural deficits, but further refinement is needed to define the clinical syndromes encountered in frontotemporal dementia-motor neuron disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Burrell
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Glenda M Halliday
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jillian J Kril
- Disciplines of Medicine and Pathology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John R Hodges
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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321
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Saberi S, Stauffer JE, Schulte DJ, Ravits J. Neuropathology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Its Variants. Neurol Clin 2016; 33:855-76. [PMID: 26515626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2015.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The neuropathologic molecular signature common to almost all sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and most familial ALS is TDP-43 immunoreactive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions. The neuropathologic and molecular neuropathologic features of ALS variants, primarily lateral sclerosis and progressive muscular atrophy, are less certain but also seem to share the primary features of ALS. Genetic causes, including mutations in SOD1, TDP-43, FUS, and C9orf72, all have distinctive molecular neuropathologic signatures. Neuropathology will continue to play an increasingly key role in solving the puzzle of ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Saberi
- Department of Neurosciences, ALS Translational Research, University of California (San Diego), 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0624, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jennifer E Stauffer
- Department of Neurosciences, ALS Translational Research, University of California (San Diego), 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0624, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Derek J Schulte
- Department of Neurosciences, ALS Translational Research, University of California (San Diego), 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0624, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - John Ravits
- Department of Neurosciences, ALS Translational Research, University of California (San Diego), 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0624, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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322
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Günther R, Richter N, Sauerbier A, Chaudhuri KR, Martinez-Martin P, Storch A, Hermann A. Non-Motor Symptoms in Patients Suffering from Motor Neuron Diseases. Front Neurol 2016; 7:117. [PMID: 27504105 PMCID: PMC4958907 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The recently postulated “disease spreading hypothesis” has gained much attention, especially for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The various non-motor symptoms (NMS) in neurodegenerative diseases would be much better explained by this hypothesis than by the degeneration of disease-specific cell populations. Motor neuron disease (MND) is primarily known as a group of diseases with a selective loss of motor function. However, recent evidence suggests disease spreading into non-motor brain regions also in MND. The aim of this study was to comprehensively detect NMS in patients suffering from MND. Methods We used a self-rating questionnaire including 30 different items of gastrointestinal, autonomic, neuropsychiatric, and sleep complaints [NMS questionnaire (NMSQuest)], which is an established tool in PD patients. 90 MND patients were included and compared to 96 controls. Results In total, MND patients reported significantly higher NMS scores (median: 7 points) in comparison to controls (median: 4 points). Dribbling, impaired taste/smelling, impaired swallowing, weight loss, loss of interest, sad/blues, falling, and insomnia were significantly more prevalent in MND patients compared to controls. Interestingly, excessive sweating was more reported in the MND group. Correlation analysis revealed an increase of total NMS score with disease progression. Conclusion NMS in MND patients seemed to increase with disease progression, which would fit with the recently postulated “disease spreading hypothesis.” The total NMS score in the MND group significantly exceeded the score for the control group, but only 8 of the 30 single complaints of the NMSQuest were significantly more often reported by MND patients. Dribbling, impaired swallowing, weight loss, and falling could primarily be connected to motor neuron degeneration and declared as motor symptoms in MND.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Günther
- Department of Neurology, Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Technische Universität Dresden , Dresden , Germany
| | - Nicole Richter
- Department of Neurology, Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Technische Universität Dresden , Dresden , Germany
| | - Anna Sauerbier
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London , London , UK
| | - Kallol Ray Chaudhuri
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London , London , UK
| | - Pablo Martinez-Martin
- National Center of Epidemiology and CIBERNED, Carlos III Institute of Health , Madrid , Spain
| | - Alexander Storch
- Department of Neurology, Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Department of Neurology, Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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323
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Vadakkan KI. Neurodegenerative disorders share common features of "loss of function" states of a proposed mechanism of nervous system functions. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 83:412-430. [PMID: 27424323 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are highly heterogeneous for the locations affected and the nature of the aggregated proteins. Nearly 80% of the neurodegenerative disorders occur sporadically, indicating that certain factors must combine to initiate the degenerative changes. The contiguous extension of degenerative changes from cell to cell, the association with viral fusion proteins, loss of dendritic spines (postsynaptic terminals), and the eventual degeneration of cells indicate the presence of a unique mechanism for inter-cellular spread of pathology. It is not known whether the "loss of function" states of the still unknown normal nervous system operations can lead to neurodegenerative disorders. Here, the possible loss of function states of a proposed normal nervous system function are examined. A reversible inter-postsynaptic functional LINK (IPL) mechanism, consisting of transient inter-postsynaptic membrane (IPM) hydration exclusion and partial to complete IPM hemifusions, was proposed as a critical step necessary for the binding process and the induction of internal sensations of higher brain functions. When various findings from different neurodegenerative disorders are systematically organized and examined, disease features match the effects of loss of function states of different IPLs. Changes in membrane composition, enlargement of dendritic spines by dopamine and viral fusion proteins are capable of altering the IPLs to form IPM fusion. The latter can lead to the observed lateral spread of pathology, inter-neuronal cytoplasmic content mixing and abnormal protein aggregation. Since both the normal mechanism of reversible IPM hydration exclusion and the pathological process of transient IPM fusion can evade detection, testing their occurrence may provide preventive and therapeutic opportunities for these disorders.
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324
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Riku Y, Watanabe H, Yoshida M, Mimuro M, Iwasaki Y, Masuda M, Ishigaki S, Katsuno M, Sobue G. Marked Involvement of the Striatal Efferent System in TAR DNA-Binding Protein 43 kDa-Related Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2016; 75:801-811. [PMID: 27346748 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlw053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent pathological studies indicate that neuronal loss and/or TAR DNA-binding protein-43 kDa (TDP-43) inclusions are frequent in the striatum of patients with TDP-43-related frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS-TDP). However, no investigations have clarified the impact of such pathological changes on striatal neuronal outputs in these diseases. We analyzed pathological changes in the striatal efferent system of 59 consecutively autopsied patients with sporadic FTLD-TDP or ALS-TDP. The axon terminals of striatal efferent neurons were immunohistochemically assessed in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) and globus pallidus (GP). All of the FTLD-TDP patients exhibited a marked depletion of axon terminals, irrespective of disease duration. In particular, losses of substance-P-positive projections to the SNr and internal segment of GP were consistently severe. Similar findings were also observed in 69.0% of the ALS-TDP patients, although the severity was much less than that in the FTLD-TDP patients (p < 0.001). The accumulation of phosphorylated TDP-43 was observed in the striatal efferent neurons, efferent tracts, or their axon terminals in the SNr and GP in both groups. Thus, striatal efferent projections are essentially and commonly involved in the TDP-43-related FTLD/ALS disease spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Riku
- From the Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya (YR, HW, MM, SI, MK, GS) and Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan (MY, MM, YI)
| | - Hirohisa Watanabe
- From the Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya (YR, HW, MM, SI, MK, GS) and Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan (MY, MM, YI)
| | - Mari Yoshida
- From the Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya (YR, HW, MM, SI, MK, GS) and Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan (MY, MM, YI)
| | - Maya Mimuro
- From the Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya (YR, HW, MM, SI, MK, GS) and Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan (MY, MM, YI)
| | - Yasushi Iwasaki
- From the Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya (YR, HW, MM, SI, MK, GS) and Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan (MY, MM, YI)
| | - Michihito Masuda
- From the Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya (YR, HW, MM, SI, MK, GS) and Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan (MY, MM, YI)
| | - Shinsuke Ishigaki
- From the Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya (YR, HW, MM, SI, MK, GS) and Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan (MY, MM, YI)
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- From the Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya (YR, HW, MM, SI, MK, GS) and Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan (MY, MM, YI)
| | - Gen Sobue
- From the Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya (YR, HW, MM, SI, MK, GS) and Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan (MY, MM, YI).
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325
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Mackenzie IRA, Neumann M. Molecular neuropathology of frontotemporal dementia: insights into disease mechanisms from postmortem studies. J Neurochem 2016; 138 Suppl 1:54-70. [PMID: 27306735 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a clinical syndrome with a heterogeneous molecular basis. The past decade has seen the discovery of several new FTD-causing genetic mutations and the identification of many of the relevant pathological proteins. The current neuropathological classification is based on the predominant protein abnormality and allows most cases of FTD to be placed into one of three broad molecular subgroups; frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tau, TDP-43 or FET protein accumulation. This review will describe our current understanding of the molecular basis of FTD, focusing on insights gained from the study of human postmortem tissue, as well as some of the current controversies. Most cases of FTD can be subclassified into one of three broad molecular subgroups based on the predominant protein that accumulates as pathological cellular inclusions. Understanding the associated pathogenic mechanisms and recognizing these FTD molecular subtypes in vivo will likely be crucial for the development and use of targeted therapies. This article is part of the Frontotemporal Dementia special issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R A Mackenzie
- Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Manuela Neumann
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Tübingen and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
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326
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Ahmed RM, Caga J, Devenney E, Hsieh S, Bartley L, Highton-Williamson E, Ramsey E, Zoing M, Halliday GM, Piguet O, Hodges JR, Kiernan MC. Cognition and eating behavior in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: effect on survival. J Neurol 2016; 263:1593-603. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-016-8168-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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327
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Müller HP, Turner MR, Grosskreutz J, Abrahams S, Bede P, Govind V, Prudlo J, Ludolph AC, Filippi M, Kassubek J. A large-scale multicentre cerebral diffusion tensor imaging study in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2016; 87:570-9. [PMID: 26746186 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2015-311952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Damage to the cerebral tissue structural connectivity associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which extends beyond the motor pathways, can be visualised by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The effective translation of DTI metrics as biomarker requires its application across multiple MRI scanners and patient cohorts. A multicentre study was undertaken to assess structural connectivity in ALS within a large sample size. METHODS 442 DTI data sets from patients with ALS (N=253) and controls (N=189) were collected for this retrospective study, from eight international ALS-specialist clinic sites. Equipment and DTI protocols varied across the centres. Fractional anisotropy (FA) maps of the control participants were used to establish correction matrices to pool data, and correction algorithms were applied to the FA maps of the control and ALS patient groups. RESULTS Analysis of data pooled from all centres, using whole-brain-based statistical analysis of FA maps, confirmed the most significant alterations in the corticospinal tracts, and captured additional significant white matter tract changes in the frontal lobe, brainstem and hippocampal regions of the ALS group that coincided with postmortem neuropathological stages. Stratification of the ALS group for disease severity (ALS functional rating scale) confirmed these findings. INTERPRETATION This large-scale study overcomes the challenges associated with processing and analysis of multiplatform, multicentre DTI data, and effectively demonstrates the anatomical fingerprint patterns of changes in a DTI metric that reflect distinct ALS disease stages. This success paves the way for the use of DTI-based metrics as read-out in natural history, prognostic stratification and multisite disease-modifying studies in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Sharon Abrahams
- Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology-PPLS & Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research & Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Peter Bede
- Quantitative Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Varan Govind
- Department of Radiology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Johannes Prudlo
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock and DZNE, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Massimo Filippi
- Division of Neuroscience, Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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328
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Assessment of the upper motor neuron in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2016; 127:2643-60. [PMID: 27291884 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2016.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Clinical signs of upper motor neuron (UMN) involvement are an important component in supporting the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but are often not easily appreciated in a limb that is concurrently affected by muscle wasting and lower motor neuron degeneration, particularly in the early symptomatic stages of ALS. Whilst recent criteria have been proposed to facilitate improved detection of lower motor neuron impairment through electrophysiological features that have improved diagnostic sensitivity, assessment of upper motor neuron involvement remains essentially clinical. As a result, there is often a significant diagnostic delay that in turn may impact institution of disease-modifying therapy and access to other optimal patient management. Biomarkers of pathological UMN involvement are also required to ensure patients with suspected ALS have timely access to appropriate therapeutic trials. The present review provides an analysis of current and recently developed assessment techniques, including novel imaging and electrophysiological approaches used to study corticomotoneuronal pathology in ALS.
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329
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Onozato T, Nakahara A, Suzuki-Kouyama E, Hineno A, Yasude T, Nakamura T, Yahikozawa H, Watanabe M, Kayanuma K, Makishita H, Ohara S, Hashimoto T, Higuchi K, Sakai T, Asano K, Hashimoto T, Kanno H, Nakayama J, Oyanagi K. Axonal TDP-43 aggregates in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2016; 42:561-72. [PMID: 26819002 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Axonal aggregates of phosphorylated (p-) transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) were examined in relation to propagation of the protein in the nervous system. METHODS Brains and spinal cords of Japanese patients with sALS and control subjects were examined immunohistochemically using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens with special reference to the topographical distribution, microscopic features, presynaptic aggregates, and correlation between the aggregates in axons and the clinical course. RESULTS (i) Aggregates of p-TDP-43 were frequently present in axons of the hypoglossal and facial nerve fibres and the spinal anterior horn cells. (ii) Aggregates of p-TDP-43 in the axons showed two characteristic microscopic features - dash-like granuloreticular aggregates (GRAs) and massive aggregates (MAs). (iii) MAs were surrounded by p-neurofilaments, but p-neurofilament immunnoreactivity decreased at the inside of axons with GRAs. (iv) Patients showing MAs and GRAs had a relatively shorter clinical course than patients without the aggregates. (v) Some neurones in the red nucleus in patients were surrounded by synapses containing p- and p-independent (i)-TDP-43, and almost all neurones had lost their nuclear TDP-43 immunoreactivity; 17% of those neurones in the red nucleus also had TDP-43-immunopositive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions, but no postsynaptic p-TDP-43 deposition was evident. CONCLUSIONS There are two types of axonal p-TDP-43 aggregates, MAs and GRAs, located predominantly in the facial and hypoglossal nuclei and anterior horn cells. These aggregates may influence the function of neurones, and presynaptic aggregates of the protein induce loss of p-i-TDP-43 in the nuclei of postsynaptic neurones.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Onozato
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Brain Disease Research, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan.,Safety Research Laboratory of Research and Development, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nagano, Japan
| | - A Nakahara
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Brain Disease Research, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan
| | - E Suzuki-Kouyama
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Brain Disease Research, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan
| | - A Hineno
- Department of Neurology, Suwa Red Cross Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - T Yasude
- Department of Neurology, Suwa Red Cross Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - T Nakamura
- Department of Pathology, Suwa Red Cross Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - H Yahikozawa
- Department of Neurology, Nagano Red Cross Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - M Watanabe
- Department of Pathology, Nagano Red Cross Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - K Kayanuma
- Department of Neurology, Ina Central Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - H Makishita
- Department of Neurology, Hokushin General Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - S Ohara
- Department of Neurology, Matsumoto Medical Center, Nagano, Japan
| | - T Hashimoto
- Department of Neurology, Aizawa Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - K Higuchi
- Section of Anatomic Pathology, Aizawa Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - T Sakai
- Department of Neurology, Nagano Matsushiro General Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - K Asano
- Department of Pathology, Suwa Chuo Hospital, Nagano, Japan
| | - T Hashimoto
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Brain Disease Research, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan.,Department of Neurology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - H Kanno
- Department of Pathology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan
| | - J Nakayama
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan
| | - K Oyanagi
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Brain Disease Research, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan.
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330
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Feiler MS, Strobel B, Freischmidt A, Helferich AM, Kappel J, Brewer BM, Li D, Thal DR, Walther P, Ludolph AC, Danzer KM, Weishaupt JH. TDP-43 is intercellularly transmitted across axon terminals. J Cell Biol 2016; 211:897-911. [PMID: 26598621 PMCID: PMC4657165 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201504057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kD (TDP-43) is an aggregation-prone prion-like domain-containing protein and component of pathological intracellular aggregates found in most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. TDP-43 oligomers have been postulated to be released and subsequently nucleate TDP-43 oligomerization in recipient cells, which might be the molecular correlate of the systematic symptom spreading observed during ALS progression. We developed a novel protein complementation assay allowing quantification of TDP-43 oligomers in living cells. We demonstrate the exchange of TDP-43 between cell somata and the presence of TDP-43 oligomers in microvesicles/exosomes and show that microvesicular TDP-43 is preferentially taken up by recipient cells where it exerts higher toxicity than free TDP-43. Moreover, studies using microfluidic neuronal cultures suggest both anterograde and retrograde trans-synaptic spreading of TDP-43. Finally, we demonstrate TDP-43 oligomer seeding by TDP-43-containing material derived from both cultured cells and ALS patient brain lysate. Thus, using an innovative detection technique, we provide evidence for preferentially microvesicular uptake as well as both soma-to-soma "horizontal" and bidirectional "vertical" synaptic intercellular transmission and prion-like seeding of TDP-43.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- Target Discovery Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | | | | | - Julia Kappel
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Bryson M Brewer
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212
| | - Deyu Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212
| | - Dietmar R Thal
- Laboratory for Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Karin M Danzer
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm 89081, Germany
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331
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Körner S, Böselt S, Wichmann K, Thau-Habermann N, Zapf A, Knippenberg S, Dengler R, Petri S. The Axon Guidance Protein Semaphorin 3A Is Increased in the Motor Cortex of Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2016; 75:326-333. [PMID: 26921371 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlw003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron disorder that leads to progressive paralysis of skeletal muscles and death by respiratory failure. There is increasing evidence that ALS is at least in part an axonopathy and that mechanisms regulating axonal degeneration and regeneration might be pathogenetically relevant. Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) is an axon guidance protein; it acts as an axon repellent and prevents axonal regeneration. Increased Sema3A expression has been described in a mouse model of ALS in which it may contribute to motor neuron degeneration. This study aimed to investigate Sema3A mRNA and protein expression in human CNS tissues. We assessed Sema3A expression using quantitative real-time PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry in motor cortex and spinal cord tissue of 8 ALS patients and 6 controls. We found a consistent increase of Sema3A expression in the motor cortex of ALS patients by all 3 methods. In situ hybridization further confirmed that Sema3A expression was present in motor neurons. These findings indicate that upregulation of Sema3A may contribute to axonal degeneration and failure of regeneration in ALS patients. The inhibition of Sema3A therefore might be a promising future therapeutic option for patients with this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Körner
- From the Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK, SB, KW, NTH, RD); Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany (AZ); Department of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK); and Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany (RD, SP).
| | - Sebastian Böselt
- From the Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK, SB, KW, NTH, RD); Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany (AZ); Department of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK); and Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany (RD, SP)
| | - Klaudia Wichmann
- From the Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK, SB, KW, NTH, RD); Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany (AZ); Department of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK); and Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany (RD, SP)
| | - Nadine Thau-Habermann
- From the Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK, SB, KW, NTH, RD); Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany (AZ); Department of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK); and Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany (RD, SP)
| | - Antonia Zapf
- From the Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK, SB, KW, NTH, RD); Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany (AZ); Department of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK); and Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany (RD, SP)
| | - Sarah Knippenberg
- From the Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK, SB, KW, NTH, RD); Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany (AZ); Department of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK); and Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany (RD, SP)
| | - Reinhard Dengler
- From the Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK, SB, KW, NTH, RD); Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany (AZ); Department of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK); and Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany (RD, SP)
| | - Susanne Petri
- From the Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK, SB, KW, NTH, RD); Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany (AZ); Department of Experimental Pneumology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (SK); and Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover, Germany (RD, SP)
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332
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Kassubek J, Müller HP. Computer-based magnetic resonance imaging as a tool in clinical diagnosis in neurodegenerative diseases. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 16:295-306. [PMID: 26807776 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2016.1146590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the core elements within the differential diagnostic work-up of patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia syndromes, Parkinsonian syndromes, and motor neuron diseases. Currently, computerized MRI analyses are not routinely used for individual diagnosis; however, they have improved the anatomical understanding of pathomorphological alterations in various neurodegenerative diseases by quantitative comparisons between patients and controls at the group level. For multiparametric MRI protocols, including T1-weighted MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging, and intrinsic functional connectivity MRI, the potential as a surrogate marker is a subject of investigation. The additional value of MRI with respect to diagnosis at the individual level and for future disease-modifying multicentre trials remains to be defined. Here, we give an overview of recent applications of multiparametric MRI to patients with various neurodegenerative diseases. Starting from applications at the group level, continuous progress of a transfer to individual diagnostic classification is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kassubek
- a Department of Neurology , University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany
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333
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Linkus B, Wiesner D, MeΔner M, Karabatsiakis A, Scheffold A, Rudolph KL, Thal DR, Weishaupt JH, Ludolph AC, Danzer KM. Telomere shortening leads to earlier age of onset in ALS mice. Aging (Albany NY) 2016; 8:382-93. [PMID: 26978042 PMCID: PMC4789589 DOI: 10.18632/aging.100904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Telomere shortening has been linked to a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent evidence suggests that reduced telomerase expression results in shorter telomeres in leukocytes from sporadic patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared with healthy controls. Here, we have characterized telomere length in microglia, astroglia and neurons in human post mortem brain tissue from ALS patients and healthy controls. Moreover, we studied the consequences of telomerase deletion in a genetic mouse model for ALS. We found a trend towards longer telomeres in microglia in the brains of ALS patients compared to non-neurologic controls. Knockout of telomerase leading to telomere shortening accelerated the ALS phenotype inSOD1G93A-transgenic mice. Our results suggest that telomerase dysfunction might contribute to the age-related risk for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Linkus
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Diana Wiesner
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Martina MeΔner
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Annika Scheffold
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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334
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia: distinct and overlapping changes in eating behaviour and metabolism. Lancet Neurol 2016; 15:332-42. [PMID: 26822748 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(15)00380-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic changes incorporating fluctuations in weight, insulin resistance, and cholesterol concentrations have been identified in several neurodegenerative disorders. Whether these changes result from the neurodegenerative process affecting brain regions necessary for metabolic regulation or whether they drive the degenerative process is unknown. Emerging evidence from epidemiological, clinical, pathological, and experimental studies emphasises a range of changes in eating behaviours and metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In ALS, metabolic changes have been linked to disease progression and prognosis. Furthermore, changes in eating behaviour that affect metabolism have been incorporated into the diagnostic criteria for FTD, which has some clinical and pathological overlap with ALS. Whether the distinct and shared metabolic and eating changes represent a component of the proposed spectrum of the two diseases is an intriguing possibility. Moreover, future research should aim to unravel the complex connections between eating, metabolism, and neurodegeneration in ALS and FTD, and aim to understand the potential for targeting modifiable risk factors in disease development and progression.
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335
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Schoen M, Reichel JM, Demestre M, Putz S, Deshpande D, Proepper C, Liebau S, Schmeisser MJ, Ludolph AC, Michaelis J, Boeckers TM. Super-Resolution Microscopy Reveals Presynaptic Localization of the ALS/FTD Related Protein FUS in Hippocampal Neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 9:496. [PMID: 26834559 PMCID: PMC4709451 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) is a multifunctional RNA-/DNA-binding protein, which is involved in the pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative disorders amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). A common hallmark of these disorders is the abnormal accumulation of mutated FUS protein in the cytoplasm. Under normal conditions FUS is confined to the nuclear compartment, in neurons, however, additional somatodendritic localization can be observed. In this study, we carefully analyzed the subcellular localization of endogenous FUS at synaptic sites of hippocampal neurons which are among the most affected cell types in FTD with FUS pathology. We could confirm a strong nuclear localization of FUS as well as its prominent and widespread neuronal expression throughout the adult and developing rat brain, particularly in the hippocampus, the cerebellum and the outer layers of the cortex. Intriguingly, FUS was also consistently observed at synaptic sites as detected by neuronal subcellular fractionation as well as by immunolabeling. To define a pre- and/or postsynaptic localization of FUS, we employed super-resolution fluorescence localization microscopy. FUS was found to be localized within the axon terminal in close proximity to the presynaptic vesicle protein Synaptophysin1 and adjacent to the active zone protein Bassoon, but well separated from the postsynaptic protein PSD-95. Having shown the presynaptic localization of FUS in the nervous system, a novel extranuclear role of FUS at neuronal contact sites has to be considered. Since there is growing evidence that local presynaptic translation might also be an important mechanism for plasticity, FUS - like the fragile X mental retardation protein FMRP - might act as one of the presynaptic RNA-binding proteins regulating this machinery. Our observation of presynaptic FUS should foster further investigations to determine its role in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schoen
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Maria Demestre
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan Putz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; Department of Neurology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | | | | | - Stefan Liebau
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; Department of Neurology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
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336
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A cognitive brain–computer interface for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2016; 228:221-39. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2016.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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337
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Pagani M, Öberg J, De Carli F, Calvo A, Moglia C, Canosa A, Nobili F, Morbelli S, Fania P, Cistaro A, Chiò A. Metabolic spatial connectivity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as revealed by independent component analysis. Hum Brain Mapp 2015; 37:942-53. [PMID: 26703938 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Positron emission tomography (PET) and volume of interest (VOI) analysis have recently shown in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) an accuracy of 93% in differentiating patients from controls. The aim of this study was to disclose by spatial independent component analysis (ICA) the brain networks involved in ALS pathological processes and evaluate their discriminative value in separating patients from controls. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Two hundred fifty-nine ALS patients and 40 age- and sex-matched control subjects underwent brain 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET (FDG-PET). Spatial ICA of the preprocessed FDG-PET images was performed. Intensity values were converted to z-scores and binary masks were used as data-driven VOIs. The accuracy of this classifier was tested versus a validated system processing intensity signals in 27 brain meta-VOIs. A support vector machine was independently applied to both datasets and the 'leave-one-out' technique verified the general validity of results. PRINCIPAL OBSERVATIONS The 8 components selected as pathophysiologically meaningful discriminated patients from controls with 99.0% accuracy, the discriminating value of bilateral cerebellum/midbrain alone representing 96.3%. Among the meta-VOIs, right temporal lobe alone reached an accuracy of 93.7%. CONCLUSIONS Spatial ICA identified in a very large cohort of ALS patients distinct spatial networks showing a high discriminatory value, improving substantially on the previously obtained accuracy. The cerebellar/midbrain component accounted for the highest accuracy in separating ALS patients from controls. Spatial ICA and multivariate analysis perform better than univariate semi-quantification methods in identifying the neurodegenerative features of ALS and pave the way for inclusion of PET in clinical trials and early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pagani
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R, Rome, Italy.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johanna Öberg
- Department of Hospital Physics, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fabrizio De Carli
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology - C.N.R. - Genoa Unit, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- ALS Center, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- ALS Center, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- ALS Center, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Flavio Nobili
- Clinical Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Mother-Child Health (DINOGMI) University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Morbelli
- Department of Health Sciences, Nuclear Medicine Unit, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Piercarlo Fania
- Positron Emission Tomography Centre IRMET S.P.A, Euromedic Inc, Turin, Italy
| | - Angelina Cistaro
- Positron Emission Tomography Centre IRMET S.P.A, Euromedic Inc, Turin, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Center, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,CNR, Associate Researcher at Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R, Rome, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Turin, Italy
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338
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Ludolph AC, Brettschneider J. TDP-43 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - is it a prion disease? Eur J Neurol 2015; 22:753-61. [PMID: 25846565 DOI: 10.1111/ene.12706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating disease characterized by rapidly progressive paresis. The neuropathological hallmark of most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases are neuronal and glial aggregates of phosphorylated 43-kDa TAR DNA-binding protein (pTDP-43). The accumulation of similar proteins into insoluble aggregates is now recognized as a common pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases in general. Importantly, many of these proteins such as tau and amyloid-β in Alzheimer's disease and α-synuclein in Parkinson's show a stereotypical sequential distribution pattern with progressing disease. In this review, we discuss recent evidence that TDP-43 in ALS may propagate similarly to other neurodegenerative disease proteins. We furthermore delineate similarities and important differences of TDP-43 proteinopathies to prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Eye Movement Deficits Are Consistent with a Staging Model of pTDP-43 Pathology in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142546. [PMID: 26559944 PMCID: PMC4641606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The neuropathological process underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can be traced as a four-stage progression scheme of sequential corticofugal axonal spread. The examination of eye movement control gains deep insights into brain network pathology and provides the opportunity to detect both disturbance of the brainstem oculomotor circuitry as well as executive deficits of oculomotor function associated with higher brain networks. Objective To study systematically oculomotor characteristics in ALS and its underlying network pathology in order to determine whether eye movement deterioration can be categorized within a staging system of oculomotor decline that corresponds to the neuropathological model. Methods Sixty-eight ALS patients and 31 controls underwent video-oculographic, clinical and neuropsychological assessments. Results Oculomotor examinations revealed increased anti- and delayed saccades’ errors, gaze-palsy and a cerebellary type of smooth pursuit disturbance. The oculomotor disturbances occurred in a sequential manner: Stage 1, only executive control of eye movements was affected. Stage 2 indicates disturbed executive control plus ‘genuine’ oculomotor dysfunctions such as gaze-paly. We found high correlations (p<0.001) between the oculomotor stages and both, the clinical presentation as assessed by the ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS) score, and cognitive scores from the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS). Conclusions Dysfunction of eye movement control in ALS can be characterized by a two-staged sequential pattern comprising executive deficits in Stage 1 and additional impaired infratentorial oculomotor control pathways in Stage 2. This pattern parallels the neuropathological staging of ALS and may serve as a technical marker of the neuropathological spreading.
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340
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Functional recovery in new mouse models of ALS/FTLD after clearance of pathological cytoplasmic TDP-43. Acta Neuropathol 2015. [PMID: 26197969 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-015-1460-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Accumulation of phosphorylated cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions accompanied by loss of normal nuclear TDP-43 in neurons and glia of the brain and spinal cord are the molecular hallmarks of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP). However, the role of cytoplasmic TDP-43 in the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative TDP-43 proteinopathies remains unclear, due in part to a lack of valid mouse models. We therefore generated new mice with doxycycline (Dox)-suppressible expression of human TDP-43 (hTDP-43) harboring a defective nuclear localization signal (∆NLS) under the control of the neurofilament heavy chain promoter. Expression of hTDP-43∆NLS in these 'regulatable NLS' (rNLS) mice resulted in the accumulation of insoluble, phosphorylated cytoplasmic TDP-43 in brain and spinal cord, loss of endogenous nuclear mouse TDP-43 (mTDP-43), brain atrophy, muscle denervation, dramatic motor neuron loss, and progressive motor impairments leading to death. Notably, suppression of hTDP-43∆NLS expression by return of Dox to rNLS mice after disease onset caused a dramatic decrease in phosphorylated TDP-43 pathology, an increase in nuclear mTDP-43 to control levels, and the prevention of further motor neuron loss. rNLS mice back on Dox also showed a significant increase in muscle innervation, a rescue of motor impairments, and a dramatic extension of lifespan. Thus, the rNLS mice are new TDP-43 mouse models that delineate the timeline of pathology development, muscle denervation and neuron loss in ALS/FTLD-TDP. Importantly, even after neurodegeneration and onset of motor dysfunction, removal of cytoplasmic TDP-43 and the concomitant return of nuclear TDP-43 led to neuron preservation, muscle re-innervation and functional recovery.
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Filippi M, Agosta F, Grosskreutz J, Benatar M, Kassubek J, Verstraete E, Turner MR. Progress towards a neuroimaging biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet Neurol 2015. [PMID: 26194923 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(15)00134-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy.
| | - Federica Agosta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Esther Verstraete
- Department of Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
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Stepwise acquirement of hallmark neuropathology in FUS-ALS iPSC models depends on mutation type and neuronal aging. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 82:420-429. [PMID: 26253605 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Revised: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal-dominant mutations within the gene FUS (fused in sarcoma) are responsible for 5% of familial cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The FUS protein is physiologically mainly located in the nucleus, while cytoplasmic FUS aggregates are pathological hallmarks of FUS-ALS. Data from non-neuronal cell models and/or models using heterologous expression of FUS mutants suggest cytoplasmic FUS translocation as a pivotal initial event which leads to neurodegeneration depending on a second hit. Here we present the first human model of FUS-ALS using patient-derived neurons carrying endogenous FUS mutations leading to a benign (R521C) or a more severe clinical phenotype (frameshift mutation R495QfsX527). We thereby showed that the severity of the underlying FUS mutation determines the amount of cytoplasmic FUS accumulation and cellular vulnerability to exogenous stress. Cytoplasmic FUS inclusions formed spontaneously depending on both, severity of FUS mutation and neuronal aging. These aggregates showed typical characteristics of FUS-ALS including methylated FUS. Finally, neurodegeneration was not specific to layer V cortical neurons perfectly in line with the current model of disease spreading in ALS. Our study highlights the value and usefulness of patient-derived cell models in FUS-ALS.
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344
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Focal nerve enlargement is not the cause for increased distal motor latency in ALS: Sonographic evaluation. Clin Neurophysiol 2015; 126:1632-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2014.10.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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345
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Fatima M, Tan R, Halliday GM, Kril JJ. Spread of pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: assessment of phosphorylated TDP-43 along axonal pathways. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2015. [PMID: 26216351 PMCID: PMC4517552 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-015-0226-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through the brain has recently been staged using independent neuropathological and neuroimaging modalities. The two schemes tie into the concept of pathological spread through corticofugal axonal transmission that stems from observation of oligodendrocyte pTDP-43 aggregates along with neuronal inclusions. Here, we aimed to assess evidence of transmission along axonal pathways by looking for pTDP-43 oligodendrocyte pathology in involved white matter tracts, and to present a first validation of the neuropathological staging scheme. pTDP-43 immunohistochemistry was performed in select white matter tracts and grey matter regions from the staging scheme in postmortem-confirmed ALS cases (N = 34). Double-labelling immunofluorescence was performed to confirm co-localisation of pTDP-43 immunoreactivity to oligodendrocytes. Results While pTDP-43 immunoreactive oligodendrocytes were frequent in the white matter under the motor and sensory cortices, similar assessment of the white matter along the corticospinal tract and in the corpus callosum and cingulum bundle of the same cases revealed no pTDP-43 pathology, questioning the involvement of oligodendrocytes in pathological propagation. The assessment of Betz cell loss revealed that the lack of deep white matter pTDP-43 oligodendrocyte pathology was not due to an absence of motor axons. Assessment of the propagation of pathology to different grey matter regions validated that all cases could be allocated to one of four neuropathological stages, although Stage 4 cases were found to differ significantly in age of onset (~10 years older) and disease duration (shorter duration than Stage 3 and similar to Stage 2). Conclusions Four stages of ALS neuropathology can be consistently identified, although evidence of sequential clinical progression requires further assessment. As limited pTDP-43 oligodendrocyte pathology in deep corticospinal and other white matter tracts from the motor cortex was observed, the propagation of pathology between neurons may not involve oligodendrocytes and the interpretation of the changes observed on neuroimaging should be modified accordingly. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40478-015-0226-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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TDP-43 Pathology Progression Along the Olfactory Pathway as a Possible Substrate for Olfactory Impairment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2015; 74:547-56. [PMID: 25933387 DOI: 10.1097/nen.0000000000000198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Odor impairment and its relationship with TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have not been fully elucidated. We performed the odor stick identification test for Japanese (OSIT-J) in 18 ALS patients and in 18 controls. The score was significantly decreased (6.6 ± 2.7) in the patients versus the controls (9.2 ± 2.4) (U = 77.0, p = 0.007). This decrement of the OSIT-J score paralleled the cognitive decline. We then studied samples from a series of 42 postmortem ALS cases. Quantitative analyses demonstrated that TDP-43-positive inclusions were most frequent in the hippocampus and least abundant in the olfactory bulb and were of intermediate density in the primary olfactory cortex. This centrifugal gradient suggests that TDP-43 pathology starts in the hippocampus, spreads into the primary olfactory center, and finally reaches the olfactory bulb. TDP-43, tau, and α-synuclein accumulations appeared to be independent. These observations suggest that impaired odor discrimination in ALS patients may be related to TDP-43-positive lesions affecting predominantly secondary olfactory centers (especially the hippocampus) in contrast to decreased odor sensitivity in Parkinson disease in which α-synuclein pathology mainly involves the peripheral region (i.e., olfactory bulb). We suggest that detectable odor impairments in ALS patients are useful for predicting the presence of TDP-43 pathology in the extramotor system.
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Smith R, Myers K, Ravits J, Bowser R. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Is the spinal fluid pathway involved in seeding and spread? Med Hypotheses 2015. [PMID: 26220261 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2015.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder manifested primarily by loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Current explanations for disease progression invoke regional spread attributed to the transfer of pathogenic factors among physically contiguous neurons. However, this explanation incompletely explains certain clinical and in vitro data. Considering this, we propose that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathway is likely to be a key vector for seeding local and distal disease. Subsequent disease progression would be expected to occur independently via either axonal or CSF transmission. If one accepts the hypothesis that the CSF pathway is involved in ALS progression, it follows that the choroid plexus (CP) might well be a driver of the disease process. In support of this, we briefly review the anatomical and physiological features of the CSF pathway and the choroid plexus responsible for secreting CSF. In addition, we draw attention to the interface of the CP and CSF with the immune system. We then summarize both clinical and cell culture research that supports a key role of the CSF in the establishment and inter-neuronal spread of ALS, and which suggest directions for translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Smith
- Center for Neurologic Study, 7590 Fay Ave., Suite 517, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States.
| | - Kathleen Myers
- Center for Neurologic Study, 7590 Fay Ave., Suite 517, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - John Ravits
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Dept. of Neurosciences, 9500 Gilman Dr. #0624, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Robert Bowser
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Gregory W. Fulton ALS and Neuromuscular Research Center, 350 West Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013, United States
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Lashley T, Rohrer JD, Mead S, Revesz T. Review: An update on clinical, genetic and pathological aspects of frontotemporal lobar degenerations. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2015; 41:858-81. [DOI: 10.1111/nan.12250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tammaryn Lashley
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders; Department of Molecular Neuroscience; UCL Institute of Neurology; London UK
| | | | - Simon Mead
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease; UCL Institute of Neurology; London UK
| | - Tamas Revesz
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders; Department of Molecular Neuroscience; UCL Institute of Neurology; London UK
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Abstract
The transactive response DNA binding protein (TDP-43) has long been characterized as a main hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions (FTLD-U, also known as FTLD-TDP). Several studies have indicated TDP-43 deposits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains and have robust connection with AD clinical phenotype. FTLD-U, which was symptomatically connected with AD, may be predictable for the comprehension of the role TDP-43 in AD. TDP-43 may contribute to AD through both β-amyloid (Aβ)-dependent and Aβ-independent pathways. In this article, we summarize the latest studies concerning the role of TDP-43 in AD and explore TDP-43 modulation as a potential therapeutic strategy for AD. However, to date, little of pieces of the research on TDP-43 have been performed to investigate the role in AD; more investigations need to be confirmed in the future.
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ALFF Value in Right Parahippocampal Gyrus Acts as a Potential Marker Monitoring Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Progression: a Neuropsychological, Voxel-Based Morphometry, and Resting-State Functional MRI Study. J Mol Neurosci 2015; 57:106-13. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0583-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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