1
|
Wiesenfarth M, Huppertz HJ, Dorst J, Lulé D, Ludolph AC, Müller HP, Kassubek J. Structural and microstructural neuroimaging signature of C9orf72-associated ALS: A multiparametric MRI study. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 39:103505. [PMID: 37696099 PMCID: PMC10500452 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ALS patients with hexanucleotide expansion in C9orf72 are characterized by a specific clinical phenotype, including more aggressive disease course and cognitive decline. Computerized multiparametric MRI with gray matter volumetry and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to analyze white matter structural connectivity is a potential in vivo biomarker. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to develop a multiparametric MRI signature in a large cohort of ALS patients with C9orf72 mutations. The aim was to investigate how morphological features of C9orf72-associated ALS differ in structural MRI and DTI compared to healthy controls and ALS patients without C9orf72 mutations. METHODS Atlas-based volumetry (ABV) and whole brain-based DTI-based analyses were performed in a cohort of n = 51 ALS patients with C9orf72 mutations and compared with both n = 51 matched healthy controls and n = 51 C9orf72 negative ALS patients, respectively. Subsequently, Spearman correlation analysis of C9orf72 ALS patients' data with clinical parameters (age of onset, sex, ALS-FRS-R, progression rate, survival) as well as ECAS and p-NfH in CSF was performed. RESULTS The whole brain voxel-by-voxel comparison of fractional anisotropy (FA) maps between C9orf72 ALS patients and controls showed significant bilateral alterations in axonal structures of the white matter at group level, primarily along the corticospinal tracts and in fibers projecting to the frontal lobes. For the frontal lobes, these alterations were also significant between C9orf72 positive and C9orf72 negative ALS patients. In ABV, patients with C9orf72 mutations showed lower volumes of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobe, with the lowest values in the gray matter of the superior frontal and the precentral gyrus, but also in hippocampi and amygdala. Compared to C9orf72 negative ALS, the differences were shown to be significant for cerebral gray matter (p = 0.04), especially in the frontal (p = 0.01) and parietal lobe (p = 0.01), and in the thalamus (p = 0.004). A correlation analysis between ECAS and averaged regional FA values revealed significant correlations between cognitive performance in ECAS and frontal association fibers. Lower FA values in the frontal lobes were associated with worse performance in all cognitive domains measured (language, verbal fluency, executive functions, memory and spatial perception). In addition, there were significant negative correlations between age of onset and atlas-based volumetry results for gray matter. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a distinct pattern of DTI alterations of the white matter and ubiquitous volume reductions of the gray matter early in the disease course of C9orf72-associated ALS. Alterations were closely linked to a more aggressive cognitive phenotype. These results are in line with an expected pTDP43 propagation pattern of cortical affection and thus strengthen the hypothesis that an underlying developmental disorder is present in ALS with C9orf72 expansions. Thus, multiparametric MRI could contribute to the assessment of the disease as an in vivo biomarker even in the early phase of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Johannes Dorst
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany; German Centre of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Dorothée Lulé
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany; German Centre of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany; German Centre of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bussy A, Levy JP, Best T, Patel R, Cupo L, Van Langenhove T, Nielsen JE, Pijnenburg Y, Waldö ML, Remes AM, Schroeter ML, Santana I, Pasquier F, Otto M, Danek A, Levin J, Le Ber I, Vandenberghe R, Synofzik M, Moreno F, de Mendonça A, Sanchez-Valle R, Laforce R, Langheinrich T, Gerhard A, Graff C, Butler CR, Sorbi S, Jiskoot L, Seelaar H, van Swieten JC, Finger E, Tartaglia MC, Masellis M, Tiraboschi P, Galimberti D, Borroni B, Rowe JB, Bocchetta M, Rohrer JD, Devenyi GA, Chakravarty MM, Ducharme S. Cerebellar and subcortical atrophy contribute to psychiatric symptoms in frontotemporal dementia. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:2684-2700. [PMID: 36895129 PMCID: PMC10089095 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have reported early cerebellar and subcortical impact in the disease progression of genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD) due to microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT), progranulin (GRN) and chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72). However, the cerebello-subcortical circuitry in FTD has been understudied despite its essential role in cognition and behaviors related to FTD symptomatology. The present study aims to investigate the association between cerebellar and subcortical atrophy, and neuropsychiatric symptoms across genetic mutations. Our study included 983 participants from the Genetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative including mutation carriers and noncarrier first-degree relatives of known symptomatic carriers. Voxel-wise analysis of the thalamus, striatum, globus pallidus, amygdala, and the cerebellum was performed, and partial least squares analyses (PLS) were used to link morphometry and behavior. In presymptomatic C9orf72 expansion carriers, thalamic atrophy was found compared to noncarriers, suggesting the importance of this structure in FTD prodromes. PLS analyses demonstrated that the cerebello-subcortical circuitry is related to neuropsychiatric symptoms, with significant overlap in brain/behavior patterns, but also specificity for each genetic mutation group. The largest differences were in the cerebellar atrophy (larger extent in C9orf72 expansion group) and more prominent amygdalar volume reduction in the MAPT group. Brain scores in the C9orf72 expansion carriers and MAPT carriers demonstrated covariation patterns concordant with atrophy patterns detectable up to 20 years before expected symptom onset. Overall, these results demonstrated the important role of the subcortical structures in genetic FTD symptom expression, particularly the cerebellum in C9orf72 and the amygdala in MAPT carriers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Bussy
- Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jake P Levy
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tristin Best
- Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Raihaan Patel
- Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lani Cupo
- Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Jørgen E Nielsen
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research Lab, Danish Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yolande Pijnenburg
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Landqvist Waldö
- Division of Clinical Sciences Helsingborg, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anne M Remes
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Neurology, University of Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Matthias L Schroeter
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Clinic Leipzig, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Clinic Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Isabel Santana
- University Hospital of Coimbra (HUC), Neurology Service, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Florence Pasquier
- Universite de Lille, Lille, France
- Inserm 1172, Lille, France
- CHU, CNR-MAJ, Labex Distalz, Lille, France
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Adrian Danek
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Levin
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Isabelle Le Ber
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute-Institut du Cerveau-ICM, Inserm U1127, Paris, France
- Centre de référence des démences rares ou précoces, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Rik Vandenberghe
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Cognitive Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
- Neurology Service, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Fermin Moreno
- Neuroscience Area, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain
- Cognitive Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | | | - Raquel Sanchez-Valle
- Alzheimer's disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacións Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robert Laforce
- Clinique Interdisciplinaire de Mémoire, Département des Sciences Neurologiques, CHU de Québec, and Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tobias Langheinrich
- Division of Neuroscience, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Cerebral Function Unit, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK
| | - Alexander Gerhard
- Division of Neuroscience, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Departments of Geriatric Medicine and Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg, Essen, Germany
| | - Caroline Graff
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Unit for Hereditary Dementias, Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Chris R Butler
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sandro Sorbi
- Department of Neurofarba, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Lize Jiskoot
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Harro Seelaar
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Elizabeth Finger
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Carmela Tartaglia
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mario Masellis
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Daniela Galimberti
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - James B Rowe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust and Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Martina Bocchetta
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychology, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, London, UK
| | | | - Gabriel A Devenyi
- Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - M Mallar Chakravarty
- Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Simon Ducharme
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zetterberg H, Teunissen C, van Swieten J, Kuhle J, Boxer A, Rohrer JD, Mitic L, Nicholson AM, Pearlman R, McCaughey SM, Tatton N. The role of neurofilament light in genetic frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcac310. [PMID: 36694576 PMCID: PMC9866262 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic frontotemporal lobar degeneration caused by autosomal dominant gene mutations provides an opportunity for targeted drug development in a highly complex and clinically heterogeneous dementia. These neurodegenerative disorders can affect adults in their middle years, progress quickly relative to other dementias, are uniformly fatal and have no approved disease-modifying treatments. Frontotemporal dementia, caused by mutations in the GRN gene which encodes the protein progranulin, is an active area of interventional drug trials that are testing multiple strategies to restore progranulin protein deficiency. These and other trials are also examining neurofilament light as a potential biomarker of disease activity and disease progression and as a therapeutic endpoint based on the assumption that cerebrospinal fluid and blood neurofilament light levels are a surrogate for neuroaxonal damage. Reports from genetic frontotemporal dementia longitudinal studies indicate that elevated concentrations of blood neurofilament light reflect disease severity and are associated with faster brain atrophy. To better inform patient stratification and treatment response in current and upcoming clinical trials, a more nuanced interpretation of neurofilament light as a biomarker of neurodegeneration is now required, one that takes into account its relationship to other pathophysiological and topographic biomarkers of disease progression from early presymptomatic to later clinically symptomatic stages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK.,DRI Fluid Biomarker Laboratory, Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Charlotte Teunissen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - John van Swieten
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Department of Clinical Research, Department of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Multiple Sclerosis Centre, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Adam Boxer
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Queen Square UCL Institute of Neurology, Dementia Research Centre, UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Laura Mitic
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,The Bluefield Project to Cure FTD, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexandra M Nicholson
- The Bluefield Project to Cure FTD, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Nadine Tatton
- Medical Affairs, Alector, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
van Veenhuijzen K, Westeneng HJ, Tan HHG, Nitert AD, van der Burgh HK, Gosselt I, van Es MA, Nijboer TCW, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH. Longitudinal Effects of Asymptomatic C9orf72 Carriership on Brain Morphology. Ann Neurol 2022; 93:668-680. [PMID: 36511398 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated effects of C9orf72 repeat expansion and gene expression on longitudinal cerebral changes before symptom onset. METHODS We enrolled 79 asymptomatic family members (AFMs) from 9 families with C9orf72 repeat expansion. Twenty-eight AFMs carried the mutation (C9+). Participants had up to 3 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, after which we compared motor cortex and motor tracts between C9+ and C9- AFMs using mixed effects models, incorporating kinship to correct for familial relations and lessen effects of other genetic factors. We also compared cortical, subcortical, cerebellar, and connectome structural measurements in a hypothesis-free analysis. We correlated regional C9orf72 expression in donor brains with the pattern of cortical thinning in C9+ AFMs using meta-regression. For comparison, we included 42 C9+ and 439 C9- patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in this analysis. RESULTS C9+ AFM motor cortex had less gyrification and was thinner than in C9- AFMs, without differences in motor tracts. Whole brain analysis revealed thinner cortex and less gyrification in parietal, occipital, and temporal regions, smaller thalami and right hippocampus, and affected frontotemporal connections. Thinning of bilateral precentral, precuneus, and left superior parietal cortex was faster in C9+ than in C9- AFMs. Higher C9orf72 expression correlated with thinner cortex in both C9+ AFMs and C9+ ALS patients. INTERPRETATION In asymptomatic C9orf72 repeat expansion carriers, brain MRI reveals widespread features suggestive of impaired neurodevelopment, along with faster decline of motor and parietal cortex than found in normal aging. C9orf72 expression might play a role in cortical development, and consequently explain the specific brain abnormalities of mutation carriers. ANN NEUROL 2022.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin van Veenhuijzen
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Westeneng
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Harold H G Tan
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Abram D Nitert
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hannelore K van der Burgh
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Isabel Gosselt
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michael A van Es
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Tanja C W Nijboer
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Finger E, Malik R, Bocchetta M, Coleman K, Graff C, Borroni B, Masellis M, Laforce R, Greaves CV, Russell LL, Convery RS, Bouzigues A, Cash DM, Otto M, Synofzik M, Rowe JB, Galimberti D, Tiraboschi P, Bartha R, Shoesmith C, Tartaglia MC, van Swieten JC, Seelaar H, Jiskoo LC, Sorbi S, Butler CR, Gerhard A, Sanchez-Valle R, de Mendonça A, Moreno F, Vandenberghe R, Le Ber I, Levin J, Pasquier F, Santana I, Rohrer JD, Ducharme S. Neurodevelopmental effects of genetic frontotemporal dementia in young adult mutation carriers. Brain 2022; 146:2120-2131. [PMID: 36458975 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
While frontotemporal dementia (frontotemporal dementia) has been considered a neurodegenerative disease that starts in mid-life or later, it is now clearly established that cortical and subcortical volume loss is observed more than a decade prior to symptom onset and progresses with aging. To test the hypothesis that genetic mutations causing frontotemporal dementia have neurodevelopmental consequences, we have examined the youngest adults in the GENFI cohort of pre-symptomatic frontotemporal dementia mutation carriers who are between the ages of 19 and 30y. Structural brain differences and improved performance on some cognitive tests was found for MAPT and GRN mutation carriers relative to familial non-carriers, while smaller volumes were observed in C9orf72 repeat expansion carriers at a mean age of 26y. The detection of such early differences supports potential advantageous neurodevelopmental consequences of some frontotemporal dementia causing genetic mutations. These results have implications for design of therapeutic interventions for frontotemporal dementia. Future studies at younger ages are needed to identify specific early pathophysiologic or compensatory processes in the neurodevelopmental period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Finger
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rubina Malik
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Martina Bocchetta
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kristy Coleman
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Caroline Graff
- Karolinska Institutet, Department NVS, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit for Hereditary Dementia, Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital-Solna Stockholm Sweden
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mario Masellis
- Campbell Cognitive Neurology Research Unit, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Laforce
- Clinique Interdisciplinaire de Mémoire, Département des Sciences Neurologiques, CHU de Québec, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Caroline V Greaves
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lucy L Russell
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rhian S Convery
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Arabella Bouzigues
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - David M Cash
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (HIH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - James B Rowe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust and Medical Research Council Cognition and brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniela Galimberti
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Robert Bartha
- Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christen Shoesmith
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Maria Carmela Tartaglia
- Toronto Western Hospital, Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John C van Swieten
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer center, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Harro Seelaar
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lize C Jiskoo
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer center, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sandro Sorbi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chris R Butler
- Department of Clinical Neurology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexander Gerhard
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Departments of Geriatric Medicine and Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Raquel Sanchez-Valle
- Neurology Department, Hospital Clinic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Fermin Moreno
- Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Rik Vandenberghe
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Le Ber
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Centre de référence des démences rares ou précoces, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Johannes Levin
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich; Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Florence Pasquier
- Univ Lille, Lille, France
- Inserm 1172, Lille, France
- CHU, CNR-MAJ, Labex Distalz, LiCEND, Lille, France
| | - Isabel Santana
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Simon Ducharme
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Barć K, Lulé D, Finsel J, Helczyk O, Baader S, Aho‐Özhan H, Ludolph AC, Kuźma‐Kozakiewicz M. Well-being on supportive techniques in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from neurologists' perspective. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2022; 9:1874-1883. [PMID: 36448241 PMCID: PMC9735360 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate intercultural neurologists' perception of well-being in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using gastrostomy (PEG), non-invasive, and/or invasive ventilation (NIV/IV) and to analyse the determinants and impact on the management of the above medical interventions (MIs). METHODS The study was based on anonymous questionnaires addressing the clinical approach and personal attitude towards the use of PEG, NIV and IV in ALS patients completed by 465 neurologists: 228 from Germany and 237 from Poland. RESULTS The German and Polish neurologists estimated the quality of life in ALS patients using PEG and NIV as neutral, whilst low in individuals using IV. A regression model revealed an independent influence of palliative care training (PCT) and age on that attitude in the German group. Higher values of estimated patients' depressiveness on PEG, NIV and IV were found amongst the Polish neurologists. Marital status, experience in ALS and being a parent independently influenced the perception of patients' depressiveness in the German, whilst marital status, age and PCT were factors in the Polish group. Amongst German neurologists, a higher perception of patients' depressiveness in individuals using PEG, NIV and IV was linked to the later timing of the MIs discussion. In the Polish group, it was a lower estimation of QoL in patients using PEG. CONCLUSION Neurologists' perception of ALS patients' well-being on MIs reflects their demographic status, professional experience and potentially their cultural background. This perception plays an important role in the timing of MIs discussion, possibly influencing the decision-making process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Barć
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Clinical Centre of Medical University of WarsawWarsawPoland
| | | | - Julia Finsel
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
| | - Olga Helczyk
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
| | | | | | - Albert C. Ludolph
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of UlmUlmGermany,German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)Ulm siteUlmGermany
| | - Magdalena Kuźma‐Kozakiewicz
- Department of NeurologyMedical University of WarsawWarsawPoland,Neurodegenerative Diseases Research GroupMedical University of WarsawWarsawPoland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
McKenna MC, Lope J, Tan EL, Bede P. Pre-symptomatic radiological changes in frontotemporal dementia: propagation characteristics, predictive value and implications for clinical trials. Brain Imaging Behav 2022; 16:2755-2767. [PMID: 35920960 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-022-00711-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Computational imaging and quantitative biomarkers offer invaluable insights in the pre-symptomatic phase of neurodegenerative conditions several years before clinical manifestation. In recent years, there has been a focused effort to characterize pre-symptomatic cerebral changes in familial frontotemporal dementias using computational imaging. Accordingly, a systematic literature review was conducted of original articles investigating pre-symptomatic imaging changes in frontotemporal dementia focusing on study design, imaging modalities, data interpretation, control cohorts and key findings. The review is limited to the most common genotypes: chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72), progranulin (GRN), or microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) genotypes. Sixty-eight studies were identified with a median sample size of 15 (3-141) per genotype. Only a minority of studies were longitudinal (28%; 19/68) with a median follow-up of 2 (1-8) years. MRI (97%; 66/68) was the most common imaging modality, and primarily grey matter analyses were conducted (75%; 19/68). Some studies used multimodal analyses 44% (30/68). Genotype-associated imaging signatures are presented, innovative study designs are highlighted, common methodological shortcomings are discussed and lessons for future studies are outlined. Emerging academic observations have potential clinical implications for expediting the diagnosis, tracking disease progression and optimising the timing of pharmaceutical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Clare McKenna
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jasmin Lope
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Ee Ling Tan
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Peter Bede
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Room 5.43, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
How can we define the presymptomatic C9orf72 disease in 2022? An overview on the current definitions of preclinical and prodromal phases. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2022; 178:426-436. [PMID: 35525633 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Repeat expansions in C9orf72 gene are the main genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and related phenotypes. With the advent of disease-modifying treatments, the presymptomatic disease phase is getting increasing interest as an ideal time window in which innovant therapeutic approaches could be administered. Recommendations issued from international study groups distinguish between a preclinical disease stage, during which lesions accumulate in absence of any symptoms or signs, and a prodromal stage, marked by the appearance the first subtle cognitive, behavioral, psychiatric and motor signs, before the full-blown disease. This paper summarizes the current definitions and criteria for these stages, in particular focusing on how fluid-based, neuroimaging and cognitive biomarkers can be useful to monitor disease trajectory across the presymptomatic phase, as well as to detect the earliest signs of clinical conversion. Continuous advances in the knowledge of C9orf72 pathophysiology, and the integration of biomarkers in the clinical evaluation of mutation carriers will allow a better diagnostic definition of C9orf72 disease spectrum from the earliest stages, with relevant impact on the possibility of disease prevention.
Collapse
|
9
|
Benatar M, Wuu J, McHutchison C, Postuma RB, Boeve BF, Petersen R, Ross CA, Rosen H, Arias JJ, Fradette S, McDermott MP, Shefner J, Stanislaw C, Abrahams S, Cosentino S, Andersen PM, Finkel RS, Granit V, Grignon AL, Rohrer JD, McMillan CT, Grossman M, Al-Chalabi A, Turner MR. Preventing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: insights from pre-symptomatic neurodegenerative diseases. Brain 2022; 145:27-44. [PMID: 34677606 PMCID: PMC8967095 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant progress has been made in understanding the pre-symptomatic phase of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. While much is still unknown, advances in other neurodegenerative diseases offer valuable insights. Indeed, it is increasingly clear that the well-recognized clinical syndromes of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, spinal muscular atrophy and frontotemporal dementia are also each preceded by a pre-symptomatic or prodromal period of varying duration, during which the underlying disease process unfolds, with associated compensatory changes and loss of inherent system redundancy. Key insights from these diseases highlight opportunities for discovery in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The development of biomarkers reflecting amyloid and tau has led to a shift in defining Alzheimer's disease based on inferred underlying histopathology. Parkinson's disease is unique among neurodegenerative diseases in the number and diversity of non-genetic biomarkers of pre-symptomatic disease, most notably REM sleep behaviour disorder. Huntington's disease benefits from an ability to predict the likely timing of clinically manifest disease based on age and CAG-repeat length alongside reliable neuroimaging markers of atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy clinical trials have highlighted the transformational value of early therapeutic intervention, and studies in frontotemporal dementia illustrate the differential role of biomarkers based on genotype. Similar advances in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis would transform our understanding of key events in pathogenesis, thereby dramatically accelerating progress towards disease prevention. Deciphering the biology of pre-symptomatic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis relies on a clear conceptual framework for defining the earliest stages of disease. Clinically manifest amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may emerge abruptly, especially among those who harbour genetic mutations associated with rapidly progressive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, the disease may also evolve more gradually, revealing a prodromal period of mild motor impairment preceding phenoconversion to clinically manifest disease. Similarly, cognitive and behavioural impairment, when present, may emerge gradually, evolving through a prodromal period of mild cognitive impairment or mild behavioural impairment before progression to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Biomarkers are critically important to studying pre-symptomatic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and essential to efforts to intervene therapeutically before clinically manifest disease emerges. The use of non-genetic biomarkers, however, presents challenges related to counselling, informed consent, communication of results and limited protections afforded by existing legislation. Experiences from pre-symptomatic genetic testing and counselling, and the legal protections against discrimination based on genetic data, may serve as a guide. Building on what we have learned-more broadly from other pre-symptomatic neurodegenerative diseases and specifically from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis gene mutation carriers-we present a road map to early intervention, and perhaps even disease prevention, for all forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Joanne Wuu
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Caroline McHutchison
- Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ronald B Postuma
- Department of Neurology, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | | | - Christopher A Ross
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Howard Rosen
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jalayne J Arias
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael P McDermott
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jeremy Shefner
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | | | - Sharon Abrahams
- Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Peter M Andersen
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Sweden
| | - Richard S Finkel
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Center for Experimental Neurotherapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Volkan Granit
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Dementia Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Corey T McMillan
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Anderl‐Straub S, Lausser L, Lombardi J, Uttner I, Fassbender K, Fliessbach K, Huppertz H, Jahn H, Kornhuber J, Obrig H, Schneider A, Semler E, Synofzik M, Danek A, Prudlo J, Kassubek J, Landwehrmeyer B, Lauer M, Volk AE, Wiltfang J, Diehl‐Schmid J, Ludolph AC, Schroeter ML, Kestler HA, Otto M. Predicting disease progression in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 13:e12262. [PMID: 35005196 PMCID: PMC8719425 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease. Reliable predictors of disease progression have not been sufficiently identified. We investigated multivariate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarker profiles for their predictive value of individual decline. METHODS One hundred five bvFTD patients were recruited from the German frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) consortium study. After defining two groups ("fast progressors" vs. "slow progressors"), we investigated the predictive value of MR brain volumes for disease progression rates performing exhaustive screenings with multivariate classification models. RESULTS We identified areas that predict disease progression rate within 1 year. Prediction measures revealed an overall accuracy of 80% across our 50 top classification models. Especially the pallidum, middle temporal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, middle orbitofrontal gyrus, and insula occurred in these models. DISCUSSION Based on the revealed marker combinations an individual prognosis seems to be feasible. This might be used in clinical studies on an individualized progression model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ludwig Lausser
- Institute of Medical Systems BiologyUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
| | | | - Ingo Uttner
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
| | | | - Klaus Fliessbach
- Clinic for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric PsychiatryUniversity Hospital BonnBonnGermany
| | | | - Holger Jahn
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity Hospital Hamburg EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity ErlangenErlangenGermany
| | - Hellmuth Obrig
- Max‐Planck‐Institute of Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences & Clinic for Cognitive NeurologyUniversity Hospital LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Anja Schneider
- Clinic for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric PsychiatryUniversity Hospital BonnBonnGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)BonnGermany
| | - Elisa Semler
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseasesCenter of Neurology and Hertie‐Institute for Clinical Brain ResearchUniversityTübingenGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)TübingenGermany
| | - Adrian Danek
- Department of NeurologyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenMunichGermany
| | - Johannes Prudlo
- Department of NeurologyRostock University Medical Center and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)RostockGermany
| | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
| | | | - Martin Lauer
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Alexander E. Volk
- Institute for Human GeneticsUniversity Hospital Hamburg EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Jens Wiltfang
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity Medical Center Göttingen (UMG)GöttingenGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)GöttingenGermany
- Neurosciences and Signaling GroupInstitute of Biomedicine (iBiMED)Department of Medical SciencesUniversity of AveiroAveiroPortugal
| | - Janine Diehl‐Schmid
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | | | - Matthias L. Schroeter
- Max‐Planck‐Institute of Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences & Clinic for Cognitive NeurologyUniversity Hospital LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Hans A. Kestler
- Institute of Medical Systems BiologyUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
- Department of NeurologyMartin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergUniversity clinic HalleHalle (Saale)Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Benussi A, Alberici A, Samra K, Russell LL, Greaves CV, Bocchetta M, Ducharme S, Finger E, Fumagalli G, Galimberti D, Jiskoot LC, Le Ber I, Masellis M, Nacmias B, Rowe JB, Sanchez-Valle R, Seelaar H, Synofzik M, Rohrer JD, Borroni B. Conceptual framework for the definition of preclinical and prodromal frontotemporal dementia. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 18:1408-1423. [PMID: 34874596 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The presymptomatic stages of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are still poorly defined and encompass a long accrual of progressive biological (preclinical) and then clinical (prodromal) changes, antedating the onset of dementia. The heterogeneity of clinical presentations and the different neuropathological phenotypes have prevented a prior clear description of either preclinical or prodromal FTD. Recent advances in therapeutic approaches, at least in monogenic disease, demand a proper definition of these predementia stages. It has become clear that a consensus lexicon is needed to comprehensively describe the stages that anticipate dementia. The goal of the present work is to review existing literature on the preclinical and prodromal phases of FTD, providing recommendations to address the unmet questions, therefore laying out a strategy for operationalizing and better characterizing these presymptomatic disease stages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Benussi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonella Alberici
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Kiran Samra
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Lucy L Russell
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Caroline V Greaves
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Martina Bocchetta
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Simon Ducharme
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute and Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Finger
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Giorgio Fumagalli
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Galimberti
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lize C Jiskoot
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Isabelle Le Ber
- Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Sorbonne Université, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR, Paris, France.,Centre de référence des démences rares ou précoces, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Paris, France
| | - Mario Masellis
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benedetta Nacmias
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, and IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - James B Rowe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Raquel Sanchez-Valle
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacións Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Harro Seelaar
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Saracino D, Dorgham K, Camuzat A, Rinaldi D, Rametti-Lacroux A, Houot M, Clot F, Martin-Hardy P, Jornea L, Azuar C, Migliaccio R, Pasquier F, Couratier P, Auriacombe S, Sauvée M, Boutoleau-Bretonnière C, Pariente J, Didic M, Hannequin D, Wallon D, Colliot O, Dubois B, Brice A, Levy R, Forlani S, Le Ber I. Plasma NfL levels and longitudinal change rates in C9orf72 and GRN-associated diseases: from tailored references to clinical applications. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2021; 92:1278-1288. [PMID: 34349004 PMCID: PMC8606463 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2021-326914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a promising biomarker in genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We evaluated plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) levels in controls, and their longitudinal trajectories in C9orf72 and GRN cohorts from presymptomatic to clinical stages. METHODS We analysed pNfL using Single Molecule Array (SiMoA) in 668 samples (352 baseline and 316 follow-up) of C9orf72 and GRN patients, presymptomatic carriers (PS) and controls aged between 21 and 83. They were longitudinally evaluated over a period of >2 years, during which four PS became prodromal/symptomatic. Associations between pNfL and clinical-genetic variables, and longitudinal NfL changes, were investigated using generalised and linear mixed-effects models. Optimal cut-offs were determined using the Youden Index. RESULTS pNfL levels increased with age in controls, from ~5 to~18 pg/mL (p<0.0001), progressing over time (mean annualised rate of change (ARC): +3.9%/year, p<0.0001). Patients displayed higher levels and greater longitudinal progression (ARC: +26.7%, p<0.0001), with gene-specific trajectories. GRN patients had higher levels than C9orf72 (86.21 vs 39.49 pg/mL, p=0.014), and greater progression rates (ARC:+29.3% vs +24.7%; p=0.016). In C9orf72 patients, levels were associated with the phenotype (ALS: 71.76 pg/mL, FTD: 37.16, psychiatric: 15.3; p=0.003) and remarkably lower in slowly progressive patients (24.11, ARC: +2.5%; p=0.05). Mean ARC was +3.2% in PS and +7.3% in prodromal carriers. We proposed gene-specific cut-offs differentiating patients from controls by decades. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of gene-specific and age-specific references for clinical and therapeutic trials in genetic FTD/ALS. It supports the usefulness of repeating pNfL measurements and considering ARC as a prognostic marker of disease progression. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS NCT02590276 and NCT04014673.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Saracino
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Reference Centre for Rare or Early Dementias, IM2A, Départment de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Aramis Project Team, Inria Paris Research Centre, Paris, France
| | - Karim Dorgham
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses-Paris (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - Agnès Camuzat
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,EPHE, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Daisy Rinaldi
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Reference Centre for Rare or Early Dementias, IM2A, Départment de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Armelle Rametti-Lacroux
- Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute-Institut du Cerveau (ICM), FRONTlab, Paris, France
| | - Marion Houot
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Reference Centre for Rare or Early Dementias, IM2A, Départment de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Centre of Excellence of Neurodegenerative Disease (CoEN), ICM, CIC Neurosciences, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Fabienne Clot
- UF de Neurogénétique Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Département de Génétique, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Martin-Hardy
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Ludmila Jornea
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Carole Azuar
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Reference Centre for Rare or Early Dementias, IM2A, Départment de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute-Institut du Cerveau (ICM), FRONTlab, Paris, France
| | - Raffaella Migliaccio
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Reference Centre for Rare or Early Dementias, IM2A, Départment de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute-Institut du Cerveau (ICM), FRONTlab, Paris, France
| | - Florence Pasquier
- Univ Lille, Inserm U1171, CHU Lille, DistAlz, LiCEND, CNR-MAJ, Lille, France
| | | | - Sophie Auriacombe
- CMRR Nouvelle Aquitaine, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives Clinique (IMNc), CHU de Bordeaux Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mathilde Sauvée
- CMRR de l'Arc Alpin, POLE PRéNeLE, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Jérémie Pariente
- Department of Neurology, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France.,Toulouse NeuroImaging Centre (ToNIC), Inserm, UPS, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Mira Didic
- APHM, Timone, Service de Neurologie et Neuropsychologie, Hôpital Timone Adultes, Marseille, France.,Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Hannequin
- Department of Neurology and CNR-MAJ, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - David Wallon
- Department of Neurology and CNR-MAJ, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | | | | | - Olivier Colliot
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Aramis Project Team, Inria Paris Research Centre, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Dubois
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Reference Centre for Rare or Early Dementias, IM2A, Départment de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute-Institut du Cerveau (ICM), FRONTlab, Paris, France
| | - Alexis Brice
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Richard Levy
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Reference Centre for Rare or Early Dementias, IM2A, Départment de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute-Institut du Cerveau (ICM), FRONTlab, Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Forlani
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Le Ber
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France .,Reference Centre for Rare or Early Dementias, IM2A, Départment de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute-Institut du Cerveau (ICM), FRONTlab, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Saracino D, Géraudie A, Remes AM, Ferrieux S, Noguès-Lassiaille M, Bottani S, Cipriano L, Houot M, Funkiewiez A, Camuzat A, Rinaldi D, Teichmann M, Pariente J, Couratier P, Boutoleau-Bretonnière C, Auriacombe S, Etcharry-Bouyx F, Levy R, Migliaccio R, Solje E, Le Ber I. Primary progressive aphasias associated with C9orf72 expansions: Another side of the story. Cortex 2021; 145:145-159. [PMID: 34717271 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
C9orf72 repeat expansions are rarely associated with primary progressive aphasias (PPA). In-depth characterization of the linguistic deficits, and the underlying patterns of grey-matter atrophy in PPA associated with the C9orf72 expansions (PPA-C9orf72) are currently lacking. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed a unique series of 16 patients affected by PPA-C9orf72. Eleven patients were issued from two independent French and Finnish cohorts, and five were identified by means of literature review. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies were performed on three of them. This study depicts the spectrum of C9orf72-related aphasic phenotypes, and illustrates their linguistic presentation. The non-fluent/agrammatic variant was the most frequent phenotype in our series (9/16 patients, 56%), with apraxia of speech being the main defining feature. Left frontal lobe atrophy was present in these subjects, peaking in inferior frontal gyrus. Three patients (19%) showed the semantic variant, with progression of atrophy in temporo-polar regions, later involving orbitofrontal cortex. Anterior temporal lobe dysfunction was also particularly relevant in two patients (12.5%) with mixed forms of PPA. Lastly, two patients (12.5%) had unclassifiable PPA with predominating word-finding difficulties. No PPA-C9orf72 patients in our series fulfilled the criteria of the logopenic variant. Importantly, this study underlines the role of C9orf72 mutation in the disruption of the most anterior parts of the language network, including prefrontal and temporo-polar areas. It provides guidelines for C9orf72 testing in PPA patients, with important clinical impact as gene-specific therapies are upcoming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Saracino
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Reference Centre for Rare or Early-Onset Dementias, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Aramis Project Team, Inria Research Center of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Amandine Géraudie
- Department of Neurology, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France; ToNIC, Toulouse NeuroImaging Centre, Inserm, UPS, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Anne M Remes
- Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; MRC Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Sophie Ferrieux
- Reference Centre for Rare or Early-Onset Dementias, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Marie Noguès-Lassiaille
- Reference Centre for Rare or Early-Onset Dementias, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Simona Bottani
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Aramis Project Team, Inria Research Center of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Lorenzo Cipriano
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli" - Naples, Italy
| | - Marion Houot
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Reference Centre for Rare or Early-Onset Dementias, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Center of Excellence of Neurodegenerative Disease (CoEN), ICM, CIC Neurosciences, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Funkiewiez
- Reference Centre for Rare or Early-Onset Dementias, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau (ICM), FrontLab, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Camuzat
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; EPHE, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Daisy Rinaldi
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Reference Centre for Rare or Early-Onset Dementias, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Marc Teichmann
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Reference Centre for Rare or Early-Onset Dementias, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau (ICM), FrontLab, Paris, France
| | - Jérémie Pariente
- Department of Neurology, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France; ToNIC, Toulouse NeuroImaging Centre, Inserm, UPS, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Sophie Auriacombe
- CMRR Nouvelle Aquitaine / Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives Clinique (IMNc), CHU de Bordeaux Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Richard Levy
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Reference Centre for Rare or Early-Onset Dementias, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau (ICM), FrontLab, Paris, France
| | - Raffaella Migliaccio
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Reference Centre for Rare or Early-Onset Dementias, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau (ICM), FrontLab, Paris, France
| | - Eino Solje
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Neuro Center, Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Isabelle Le Ber
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Reference Centre for Rare or Early-Onset Dementias, IM2A, Département de Neurologie, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Paris Brain Institute - Institut Du Cerveau (ICM), FrontLab, Paris, France.
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rajan-Babu IS, Peng JJ, Chiu R, Li C, Mohajeri A, Dolzhenko E, Eberle MA, Birol I, Friedman JM. Genome-wide sequencing as a first-tier screening test for short tandem repeat expansions. Genome Med 2021; 13:126. [PMID: 34372915 PMCID: PMC8351082 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00932-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Screening for short tandem repeat (STR) expansions in next-generation sequencing data can enable diagnosis, optimal clinical management/treatment, and accurate genetic counseling of patients with repeat expansion disorders. We aimed to develop an efficient computational workflow for reliable detection of STR expansions in next-generation sequencing data and demonstrate its clinical utility. Methods We characterized the performance of eight STR analysis methods (lobSTR, HipSTR, RepeatSeq, ExpansionHunter, TREDPARSE, GangSTR, STRetch, and exSTRa) on next-generation sequencing datasets of samples with known disease-causing full-mutation STR expansions and genomes simulated to harbor repeat expansions at selected loci and optimized their sensitivity. We then used a machine learning decision tree classifier to identify an optimal combination of methods for full-mutation detection. In Burrows-Wheeler Aligner (BWA)-aligned genomes, the ensemble approach of using ExpansionHunter, STRetch, and exSTRa performed the best (precision = 82%, recall = 100%, F1-score = 90%). We applied this pipeline to screen 301 families of children with suspected genetic disorders. Results We identified 10 individuals with full-mutations in the AR, ATXN1, ATXN8, DMPK, FXN, or HTT disease STR locus in the analyzed families. Additional candidates identified in our analysis include two probands with borderline ATXN2 expansions between the established repeat size range for reduced-penetrance and full-penetrance full-mutation and seven individuals with FMR1 CGG repeats in the intermediate/premutation repeat size range. In 67 probands with a prior negative clinical PCR test for the FMR1, FXN, or DMPK disease STR locus, or the spinocerebellar ataxia disease STR panel, our pipeline did not falsely identify aberrant expansion. We performed clinical PCR tests on seven (out of 10) full-mutation samples identified by our pipeline and confirmed the expansion status in all, showing absolute concordance between our bioinformatics and molecular findings. Conclusions We have successfully demonstrated the application of a well-optimized bioinformatics pipeline that promotes the utility of genome-wide sequencing as a first-tier screening test to detect expansions of known disease STRs. Interrogating clinical next-generation sequencing data for pathogenic STR expansions using our ensemble pipeline can improve diagnostic yield and enhance clinical outcomes for patients with repeat expansion disorders. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13073-021-00932-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indhu-Shree Rajan-Babu
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6H3N1, Canada. .,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS, UK.
| | - Junran J Peng
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6H3N1, Canada
| | - Readman Chiu
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z4S6, Canada
| | | | | | - Chenkai Li
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z4S6, Canada.,Bioinformatics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada
| | - Arezoo Mohajeri
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6H3N1, Canada
| | | | | | - Inanc Birol
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6H3N1, Canada.,Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z4S6, Canada
| | - Jan M Friedman
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6H3N1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li Hi Shing S, McKenna MC, Siah WF, Chipika RH, Hardiman O, Bede P. The imaging signature of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansions: implications for clinical trials and therapy development. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:2693-2719. [PMID: 33398779 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00429-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
While C9orf72-specific imaging signatures have been proposed by both ALS and FTD research groups and considerable presymptomatic alterations have also been confirmed in young mutation carriers, considerable inconsistencies exist in the literature. Accordingly, a systematic review of C9orf72-imaging studies has been performed to identify consensus findings, stereotyped shortcomings, and unique contributions to outline future directions. A formal literature review was conducted according to the STROBE guidelines. All identified papers were individually reviewed for sample size, choice of controls, study design, imaging modalities, statistical models, clinical profiling, and identified genotype-associated pathological patterns. A total of 74 imaging papers were systematically reviewed. ALS patients with GGGGCC repeat expansions exhibit relatively limited motor cortex involvement and widespread extra-motor pathology. C9orf72 positive FTD patients often show preferential posterior involvement. Reports of thalamic involvement are relatively consistent across the various phenotypes. Asymptomatic hexanucleotide repeat carriers often exhibit structural and functional changes decades prior to symptom onset. Common shortcomings included sample size limitations, lack of disease-controls, limited clinical profiling, lack of genetic testing in healthy controls, and absence of post mortem validation. There is a striking paucity of longitudinal studies and existing presymptomatic studies have not evaluated the predictive value of radiological changes with regard to age of onset and phenoconversion. With the advent of antisense oligonucleotide therapies, the meticulous characterisation of C9orf72-associated changes has gained practical relevance. Neuroimaging offers non-invasive biomarkers for future clinical trials, presymptomatic ascertainment, diagnostic and prognostic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stacey Li Hi Shing
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Clare McKenna
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - We Fong Siah
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rangariroyashe H Chipika
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Bede
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chipika RH, Siah WF, McKenna MC, Li Hi Shing S, Hardiman O, Bede P. The presymptomatic phase of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: are we merely scratching the surface? J Neurol 2020; 268:4607-4629. [PMID: 33130950 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10289-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Presymptomatic studies in ALS have consistently captured considerable disease burden long before symptom manifestation and contributed important academic insights. With the emergence of genotype-specific therapies, however, there is a pressing need to address practical objectives such as the estimation of age of symptom onset, phenotypic prediction, informing the optimal timing of pharmacological intervention, and identifying a core panel of biomarkers which may detect response to therapy. Existing presymptomatic studies in ALS have adopted striking different study designs, relied on a variety of control groups, used divergent imaging and electrophysiology methods, and focused on different genotypes and demographic groups. We have performed a systematic review of existing presymptomatic studies in ALS to identify common themes, stereotyped shortcomings, and key learning points for future studies. Existing presymptomatic studies in ALS often suffer from sample size limitations, lack of disease controls and rarely follow their cohort until symptom manifestation. As the characterisation of presymptomatic processes in ALS serves a multitude of academic and clinical purposes, the careful review of existing studies offers important lessons for future initiatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rangariroyashe H Chipika
- Computational Neuroimaging Group (CNG), Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - We Fong Siah
- Computational Neuroimaging Group (CNG), Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Clare McKenna
- Computational Neuroimaging Group (CNG), Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stacey Li Hi Shing
- Computational Neuroimaging Group (CNG), Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Computational Neuroimaging Group (CNG), Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Bede
- Computational Neuroimaging Group (CNG), Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Häkkinen S, Chu SA, Lee SE. Neuroimaging in genetic frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 145:105063. [PMID: 32890771 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have a strong clinical, genetic and pathological overlap. This review focuses on the current understanding of structural, functional and molecular neuroimaging signatures of genetic FTD and ALS. We overview quantitative neuroimaging studies on the most common genes associated with FTD (MAPT, GRN), ALS (SOD1), and both (C9orf72), and summarize visual observations of images reported in the rarer genes (CHMP2B, TARDBP, FUS, OPTN, VCP, UBQLN2, SQSTM1, TREM2, CHCHD10, TBK1).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suvi Häkkinen
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie A Chu
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Suzee E Lee
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|