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Frankford SA, O'Flynn LC, Simonyan K. Sensory processing in the auditory and olfactory domains is normal in laryngeal dystonia. J Neurol 2023; 270:2184-2190. [PMID: 36640203 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11562-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal sensory discriminatory processing has been implicated as an endophenotypic marker of isolated dystonia. However, the extent of alterations across the different sensory domains and their commonality in different forms of dystonia are unclear. Based on the previous findings of abnormal temporal but not spatial discrimination in patients with laryngeal dystonia, we investigated sensory processing in the auditory and olfactory domains as potentially additional contributors to the disorder pathophysiology. We tested auditory temporal discrimination and olfactory function, including odor identification, threshold, and discrimination, in 102 laryngeal dystonia patients and 44 healthy controls, using dichotically presented pure tones and the extended Sniffin' Sticks smell test protocol, respectively. Statistical significance was assessed using analysis of variance with non-parametric bootstrapping. Patients had a lower mean auditory temporal discrimination threshold, with abnormal values found in three patients. Hyposmia was found in 64 patients and anosmia in 2 patients. However, there were no statistically significant differences in either auditory temporal discrimination threshold or olfactory identification, threshold, and discrimination between the groups. A significant positive relationship was found between olfactory threshold and disorder severity based on the Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia rating scale. Our findings demonstrate that, contrary to altered visual temporal discrimination, auditory temporal discrimination and olfactory function are likely not candidate endophenotypic markers of laryngeal dystonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saul A Frankford
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Suite 421, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Lena C O'Flynn
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Suite 421, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Program in Speech Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard University, 260 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kristina Simonyan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Suite 421, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Program in Speech Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard University, 260 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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2
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Killian O, Hutchinson M, Reilly R. Neuromodulation in Dystonia - Harnessing the Network. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 31:177-194. [PMID: 37338702 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-26220-3_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Adult-onset isolated focal dystonia (AOIFD) is a network disorder characterised by abnormalities of sensory processing and motor control. These network abnormalities give rise to both the phenomenology of dystonia and the epiphenomena of altered plasticity and loss of intracortical inhibition. Existing modalities of deep brain stimulation effectively modulate parts of this network but are limited both in terms of targets and invasiveness. Novel approaches using a variety of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques including transcranial stimulation and peripheral stimulation present an interesting alternative approach and may, in conjunction with rehabilitative strategies, have a role in tailored therapies targeting the underlying network abnormality behind AOIFD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Killian
- The Dublin Neurological Institute, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard Reilly
- School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Rafee S, Hutchinson M, Reilly R. The Collicular-Pulvinar-Amygdala Axis and Adult-Onset Idiopathic Focal Dystonias. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 31:195-210. [PMID: 37338703 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-26220-3_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Adult-onset idiopathic focal dystonias (AOIFD) are the most common type of dystonia. It has varied expression including multiple motor (depending on body part affected) and non-motor symptoms (psychiatric, cognitive and sensory). The motor symptoms are usually the main reason for presentation and are most often treated with botulinum toxin. However, non-motor symptoms are the main predictors of quality of life and should be addressed appropriately, as well as treating the motor disorder. Rather than considering AOIFD as a movement disorder, a syndromic approach should be taken, one that accommodates all the symptoms. Dysfunction of the collicular-pulvinar-amygdala axis, with the superior colliculus as a central node, can explain the diverse expression of this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameer Rafee
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard Reilly
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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Aïssa HB, Sala RW, Georgescu Margarint EL, Frontera JL, Varani AP, Menardy F, Pelosi A, Hervé D, Léna C, Popa D. Functional abnormalities in the cerebello-thalamic pathways in a mouse model of DYT25 dystonia. eLife 2022; 11:79135. [PMID: 35699413 PMCID: PMC9197392 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystonia is often associated with functional alterations in the cerebello-thalamic pathways, which have been proposed to contribute to the disorder by propagating pathological firing patterns to the forebrain. Here, we examined the function of the cerebello-thalamic pathways in a model of DYT25 dystonia. DYT25 (Gnal+/−) mice carry a heterozygous knockout mutation of the Gnal gene, which notably disrupts striatal function, and systemic or striatal administration of oxotremorine to these mice triggers dystonic symptoms. Our results reveal an increased cerebello-thalamic excitability in the presymptomatic state. Following the first dystonic episode, Gnal+/- mice in the asymptomatic state exhibit a further increase of the cerebello-thalamo-cortical excitability, which is maintained after θ-burst stimulations of the cerebellum. When administered in the symptomatic state induced by a cholinergic activation, these stimulations decreased the cerebello-thalamic excitability and reduced dystonic symptoms. In agreement with dystonia being a multiregional circuit disorder, our results suggest that the increased cerebello-thalamic excitability constitutes an early endophenotype, and that the cerebellum is a gateway for corrective therapies via the depression of cerebello-thalamic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind Baba Aïssa
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Romain W Sala
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Elena Laura Georgescu Margarint
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Jimena Laura Frontera
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Andrés Pablo Varani
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Fabien Menardy
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Assunta Pelosi
- Inserm UMR-S 1270, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Sciences and Technology Faculty, Paris, France.,Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Denis Hervé
- Inserm UMR-S 1270, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Sciences and Technology Faculty, Paris, France.,Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Clément Léna
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Daniela Popa
- Neurophysiology of Brain Circuits Team, Institut de biologie de l'Ecole normale supérieure (IBENS), Ecole normale supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, PSL Research University, Paris, France
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Quartarone A, Ghilardi MF. Neuroplasticity in dystonia: Motor symptoms and beyond. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2022; 184:207-218. [PMID: 35034735 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819410-2.00031-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This chapter first focuses on the role of altered neuroplasticity mechanisms and their regulation in the genesis of motor symptoms in the various forms of dystonia. In particular, a review of the available literature about focal dystonia suggests that use-dependent plasticity may become detrimental and produce dystonia when practice and repetition are excessive and predisposing conditions are present. Interestingly, recent evidence also shows that functional or psychogenic dystonia, despite the normal plasticity in the sensorimotor system, is characterized by plasticity-related dysfunction within limbic regions. Finally, this chapter reviews the non-motor symptoms that often accompany the motor features of dystonia, including depression and anxiety as well as obsessive-compulsive disorders, pain, and cognitive dysfunctions. Based on the current understanding of these symptoms, we discuss the evidence of their possible relationship to maladaptive plasticity in non-motor basal ganglia circuits involved in their genesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Quartarone
- Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Maria Felice Ghilardi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, City University of New York School of Medicine and Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
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Longitudinal evaluation of patients with isolated head tremor. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2021; 94:10-12. [PMID: 34861560 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Isolated head tremor, a pathological condition characterized by head tremor without dystonic postures or tremor in other body parts, has recently been suggested to be a form of dystonia. It is however still unclear whether isolated head tremor precedes dystonia or remains unmodified overtime. METHODS We enrolled 20 patients with isolated head tremor. For each patient, we assessed videos recorded at enrollment and after 5 years. The videotapes were reviewed by two independent experienced movement disorder specialists who evaluated and scored tremor and CD severity using the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor and the revised Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS), respectively. RESULTS Upon enrollment, all 20 patients showed isolated head tremor. Mean tremor severity was 2.7 ± 0.9 as measured using the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor total score. At the 5-year follow-up examination, 15 (75%) of the 20 patients with isolated head tremor showed dystonic postures in the neck, while the remaining 5 patients (25%) had only isolated head tremor. Mean severity of dystonia as measured using the TWSTRS-2 total score was 11.8 ± 3.6. Head tremor severity was unchanged between baseline and the 5-year follow-up examination (p > 0.05). At the follow-up examination, no patients had tremor or dystonia in a body part other than the neck, nor did they develop bradykinesia or other parkinsonian signs. CONCLUSIONS Our longitudinal study demonstrated that patients with isolated head tremor may develop cervical dystonia over time.
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Ferrazzano G, Frantellizzi V, De Bartolo MI, De Feo MS, Conte A, Fabbrini G, De Vincentis G, Berardelli A. Response to "Response to isolated head tremor: A DAT-SPECT and somatosensory temporal discrimination study". Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2021; 87:168-169. [PMID: 34078577 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gina Ferrazzano
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Viviana Frantellizzi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Maria Silvia De Feo
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonella Conte
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy; IRCCS NEUROMED, Via Atinense 18, 86077, Pozzilli, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Fabbrini
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy; IRCCS NEUROMED, Via Atinense 18, 86077, Pozzilli, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe De Vincentis
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy; IRCCS NEUROMED, Via Atinense 18, 86077, Pozzilli, Italy.
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Simonyan K, Barkmeier-Kraemer J, Blitzer A, Hallett M, Houde JF, Jacobson Kimberley T, Ozelius LJ, Pitman MJ, Richardson RM, Sharma N, Tanner K. Laryngeal Dystonia: Multidisciplinary Update on Terminology, Pathophysiology, and Research Priorities. Neurology 2021; 96:989-1001. [PMID: 33858994 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000011922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To delineate research priorities for improving clinical management of laryngeal dystonia, the NIH convened a multidisciplinary panel of experts for a 1-day workshop to examine the current progress in understanding its etiopathophysiology and clinical care. METHODS The participants reviewed the current terminology of disorder and discussed advances in understanding its pathophysiology since a similar workshop was held in 2005. Clinical and research gaps were identified, and recommendations for future directions were delineated. RESULTS The panel unanimously agreed to adopt the term "laryngeal dystonia" instead of "spasmodic dysphonia" to reflect the current progress in characterizations of this disorder. Laryngeal dystonia was recognized as a multifactorial, phenotypically heterogeneous form of isolated dystonia. Its etiology remains unknown, whereas the pathophysiology likely involves large-scale functional and structural brain network disorganization. Current challenges include the lack of clinically validated diagnostic markers and outcome measures and the paucity of therapies that address the disorder pathophysiology. CONCLUSION Research priorities should be guided by challenges in clinical management of laryngeal dystonia. Identification of disorder-specific biomarkers would allow the development of novel diagnostic tools and unified measures of treatment outcome. Elucidation of the critical nodes within neural networks that cause or modulate symptoms would allow the development of targeted therapies that address the underlying pathophysiology. Given the rarity of laryngeal dystonia, future rapid research progress may be facilitated by multicenter, national and international collaborations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Simonyan
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.
| | - Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | - Andrew Blitzer
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | - Mark Hallett
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | - John F Houde
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | - Teresa Jacobson Kimberley
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | - Laurie J Ozelius
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | - Michael J Pitman
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | - Robert Mark Richardson
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | - Nutan Sharma
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
| | - Kristine Tanner
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (K.S.), Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, Department of Neurology (K.S., L.J.O., N.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Division of Otolaryngology (J.B.-K.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders and Department of Neurology (A.B.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Human Motor Control Section (M.H.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (J.H.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences (T.J.K.), Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (M.J.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Neurosurgery (R.M.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; and Department of Communication Disorders (K.T.), Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
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Manzo N, Tocco P, Ginatempo F, Bertolasi L, Rocchi L. Brainstem Reflexes in Idiopathic Cervical Dystonia: Does Medullary Dysfunction Play a Role? Mov Disord Clin Pract 2021; 8:377-384. [PMID: 33816666 PMCID: PMC8015899 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neurophysiological markers in dystonia have so far not been sistematically applied in clinical practice due to limited reproducibility of results and low correlations with clinical findings. Exceptions might be represented by the blink reflex (BR), including its recovery cycle (BRRC) and the trigemino‐cervical reflex (TCR) which, compared to other neurophysiological methods, have shown more consistent alterations in cervical dystonia (CD). However, a comparison between the two techniques, and their possible correlation with disease symptoms, have not been thoroughly investigated. Objectives To assess the role of BR, BRCC and TCR in the pathophysiology of idiopathic cervical dystonia. Methods Fourteen patients and 14 age‐matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Neurophysiological outcome measures included latency of R1 and R2 components of the BR, R2 amplitude, BRRC, latency and amplitude of P19/N31 complex of TCR. Clinical and demographic features of patients were also collected, including age at disease onset, disease duration, presence of tremor, sensory trick and pain. The Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale was used to characterize dystonia. Results Compared to HC, CD patients showed increased latency of the BR R2 and decreased suppression of the BRRC. They also showed increased latency of the P19 and decreased amplitude of P19/N31 complex of TCR. The latency of P19 component of TCR was positively correlated with disease duration. Conclusions We propose that the increased latency of R2 and P19 observed here might be reflective of brainstem dysfunction, mediated either by local interneuronal excitability changes or by subtle structural damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pierluigi Tocco
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences University of Verona Verona Italy
| | | | - Laura Bertolasi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Lorenzo Rocchi
- Department of Clinical and Movements Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology University College London London United Kingdom
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Rafee S, O'Riordan S, Reilly R, Hutchinson M. We Must Talk about Sex and Focal Dystonia. Mov Disord 2021; 36:604-608. [PMID: 33503303 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In a recent workshop on "Defining research priorities in dystonia,", there was absolutely no reference to sex as a factor in disease pathogenesis. In this viewpoint paper, we argue that the most distinctive aspects of adult onset isolated focal dystonia are the marked sex-related differences demonstrated by epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory studies in patients with adult onset dystonia, particularly in cervical dystonia, the most common presentation. We propose that the future focus of research should be on neurobiological mechanisms underlying the profound sexual dimorphism in this disorder. Targeting research into gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic function, which also shows similar sexual dimorphism, would be most productive in elucidating the pathogenesis of adult onset dystonia. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameer Rafee
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean O'Riordan
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard Reilly
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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11
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Contemporary functional neuroanatomy and pathophysiology of dystonia. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:499-508. [PMID: 33486625 PMCID: PMC8099808 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02299-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dystonia is a disabling movement disorder characterized by abnormal postures or patterned and repetitive movements due to co-contraction of muscles in proximity to muscles desired for a certain movement. Important and well-established pathophysiological concepts are the impairment of sensorimotor integration, a loss of inhibitory control on several levels of the central nervous system and changes in synaptic plasticity. These mechanisms collectively contribute to an impairment of the gating function of the basal ganglia which results in an insufficient suppression of noisy activity and an excessive activation of cortical areas. In addition to this traditional view, a plethora of animal, genetic, imaging and electrophysiological studies highlight the role of the (1) cerebellum, (2) the cerebello-thalamic connection and (3) the functional interplay between basal ganglia and the cerebellum in the pathophysiology of dystonia. Another emerging topic is the better understanding of the microarchitecture of the striatum and its implications for dystonia. The striosomes are of particular interest as they likely control the dopamine release via inhibitory striato-nigral projections. Striosomal dysfunction has been implicated in hyperkinetic movement disorders including dystonia. This review will provide a comprehensive overview about the current understanding of the functional neuroanatomy and pathophysiology of dystonia and aims to move the traditional view of a ‘basal ganglia disorder’ to a network perspective with a dynamic interplay between cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem and cerebellum.
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12
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Latorre A, Cocco A, Bhatia KP, Erro R, Antelmi E, Conte A, Rothwell JC, Rocchi L. Defective Somatosensory Inhibition and Plasticity Are Not Required to Develop Dystonia. Mov Disord 2020; 36:1015-1021. [PMID: 33332649 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dystonia may have different neuroanatomical substrates and pathophysiology. This is supported by studies on the motor system showing, for instance, that plasticity is abnormal in idiopathic dystonia, but not in dystonia secondary to basal ganglia lesions. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to test whether somatosensory inhibition and plasticity abnormalities reported in patients with idiopathic dystonia also occur in patients with dystonia caused by basal ganglia damage. METHODS Ten patients with acquired dystonia as a result of basal ganglia lesions and 12 healthy control subjects were recruited. They underwent electrophysiological testing at baseline and after a single 45-minute session of high-frequency repetitive somatosensory stimulation. Electrophysiological testing consisted of somatosensory temporal discrimination, somatosensory-evoked potentials (including measurement of early and late high-frequency oscillations and the spatial inhibition ratio of N20/25 and P14 components), the recovery cycle of paired-pulse somatosensory-evoked potentials, and primary motor cortex short-interval intracortical inhibition. RESULTS Unlike previous reports of patients with idiopathic dystonia, patients with acquired dystonia did not differ from healthy control subjects in any of the electrophysiological measures either before or after high-frequency repetitive somatosensory stimulation, except for short-interval intracortical inhibition, which was reduced at baseline in patients compared to control subjects. CONCLUSIONS The data show that reduced somatosensory inhibition and enhanced cortical plasticity are not required for the clinical expression of dystonia, and that the abnormalities reported in idiopathic dystonia are not necessarily linked to basal ganglia damage. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Latorre
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Antoniangela Cocco
- Department of Neurology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Milan, Italy
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roberto Erro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Elena Antelmi
- Neurology Unit, Movement Disorders Division, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Antonella Conte
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - John C Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Rocchi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Khosravani S, Chen G, Ozelius LJ, Simonyan K. Neural endophenotypes and predictors of laryngeal dystonia penetrance and manifestation. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 148:105223. [PMID: 33316367 PMCID: PMC8284879 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Focal dystonias are the most common forms of isolated dystonia; however, the etiopathophysiological signatures of disorder penetrance and clinical manifestation remain unclear. Using an imaging genetics approach, we investigated functional and structural representations of neural endophenotypes underlying the penetrance and manifestation of laryngeal dystonia in families, including 21 probands and 21 unaffected relatives, compared to 32 unrelated healthy controls. We further used a supervised machine-learning algorithm to predict the risk for dystonia development in susceptible individuals based on neural features of identified endophenotypes. We found that abnormalities in prefrontal-parietal cortex, thalamus, and caudate nucleus were commonly shared between patients and their unaffected relatives, representing an intermediate endophenotype of laryngeal dystonia. Machine learning classified 95.2% of unaffected relatives as patients rather than healthy controls, substantiating that these neural alterations represent the endophenotypic marker of dystonia penetrance, independent of its symptomatology. Additional abnormalities in premotor-parietal-temporal cortical regions, caudate nucleus, and cerebellum were present only in patients but not their unaffected relatives, likely representing a secondary endophenotype of dystonia manifestation. Based on alterations in the parietal cortex and caudate nucleus, the machine learning categorized 28.6% of unaffected relative as patients, indicating their increased lifetime risk for developing clinical manifestation of dystonia. The identified endophenotypic neural markers may be implemented for screening of at-risk individuals for dystonia development, selection of families for genetic studies of novel variants based on their risk for disease penetrance, or stratification of patients who would respond differently to a particular treatment in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Khosravani
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gang Chen
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Laurie J Ozelius
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristina Simonyan
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Erro R, Antelmi E, Bhatia KP, Latorre A, Tinazzi M, Berardelli A, Rothwell JC, Rocchi L. Reversal of Temporal Discrimination in Cervical Dystonia after Low-Frequency Sensory Stimulation. Mov Disord 2020; 36:761-766. [PMID: 33159823 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Somatosensory temporal discrimination is abnormal in dystonia and reflects reduced somatosensory inhibition. In healthy individuals, both the latter are enhanced by high-frequency repetitive somatosensory stimulation, whereas opposite effects are observed in patients with cervical dystonia. OBJECTIVES We tested whether low-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation, which in healthy individuals worsens discrimination, might have the opposite effect in patients with cervical dystonia at the physiological level and, in turn, improve their perceptual performance. METHODS Somatosensory temporal discrimination and several electrophysiological measures of sensorimotor inhibition were collected before and after 45 minutes of low-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation. RESULTS As predicted, and opposite to what happened in controls, low-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation in patients enhanced sensorimotor inhibition and normalized somatosensory temporal discrimination. CONCLUSIONS Patients with cervical dystonia have an abnormal response to repetitive sensory stimulation, which we hypothesize is attributed to abnormally sensitive homeostatic mechanisms of inhibitory circuitry in both sensory and motor systems. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Erro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Elena Antelmi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Anna Latorre
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Tinazzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed Institute, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - John C Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Lorenzo Rocchi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
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15
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Isolated head tremor: A DAT-SPECT and somatosensory temporal discrimination study. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2020; 81:56-59. [PMID: 33059182 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2020.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To better understand the pathophysiology of isolated head tremor, we investigated somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold (STDT) and dopaminergic neurotransmission with 123I-FP-CIT (DAT-SPECT) in patients with isolated head tremor, as well as potential correlations with their clinical features. METHODS We enrolled 14 patients with isolated head tremor who underwent clinical examination, STDT testing, and DAT-SPECT. RESULTS We found normal radiotracer uptake in both striata as assessed with DAT-SPECT examination, but higher STDT values in patients as compared to healthy subjects. No significant correlations emerged between STDT values, specific binding ratios of radiotracer uptake, and demographic or clinical features. CONCLUSION Our study found normal radiotracer uptake with DAT-SPECT examination, suggesting dopaminergic neurotransmission integrity in patients with isolated head tremor. Patients with isolated head tremor exhibited an abnormally elevated STDT. Both results support the hypothesis that isolated head tremor should be considered a form of dystonia.
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16
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Burke T, Monaghan R, McCormack D, Cogley C, Pinto-Grau M, O'Connor S, Donohoe B, Murphy L, O'Riordan S, Ndukwe I, Hutchinson M, Pender N, O'Keeffe F. Social cognition in cervical dystonia: A case-control study. Clin Park Relat Disord 2020; 3:100072. [PMID: 34316651 PMCID: PMC8298799 DOI: 10.1016/j.prdoa.2020.100072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although considered a motor disorder, adult onset isolated focal dystonia has many non-motor symptoms. There is a paucity of neuropsychological research on cognitive processing in adult onset focal dystonia. METHODS We employed a battery of clinical and cognitive assessments, including basic and complex social cognition, and assessed 46 patients with adult-onset cervical dystonia, compared to 46 age-, sex-, education-, and premorbid IQ-matched healthy controls. RESULTS Significant between-group differences were observed in relation to measures of memory encoding, recall and recognition, as well as multimodal measures of basic Social Cognition (emotion recognition: face and prosody), but not complex Social Cognition (mentalising). There were no deficits observed in multimodal measures of executive function. Controlling for mood did not affect performance. CONCLUSION In this multi-dimensional assessment of cognition in cervical dystonia, we report deficits in memory encoding, and in social cognition. Further investigation of social cognitive processes, memory, and sustained attention are required. Longitudinal studies are also needed to further delineate the role of psychological distress on cognitive outcomes and document the cognitive profile over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Burke
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Marta Pinto-Grau
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Sarah O'Connor
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Bronagh Donohoe
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Lisa Murphy
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Sean O'Riordan
- St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine & Health Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ihedinachi Ndukwe
- St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine & Health Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine & Health Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niall Pender
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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Maguire F, Reilly RB, Simonyan K. Normal Temporal Discrimination in Musician's Dystonia Is Linked to Aberrant Sensorimotor Processing. Mov Disord 2020; 35:800-807. [PMID: 31930574 PMCID: PMC7818836 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Alterations in sensory discrimination are a prominent nonmotor feature of dystonia. Abnormal temporal discrimination in focal dystonia is considered to represent its mediational endophenotype, albeit unclear pathophysiological correlates. We examined the associations between the visual temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) and brain activity in patients with musician's dystonia, nonmusician's dystonia, and healthy controls. METHODS A total of 42 patients and 41 healthy controls participated in the study. Between-group differences in TDT z scores were computed using inferential statistics. Statistical associations of TDT z scores with clinical characteristics of dystonia and resting-state functional brain activity were examined using nonparametric rank correlations. RESULTS The TDT z scores of healthy controls were significantly different from those of patients with nonmusician's dystonia, but not of patients with musician's dystonia. Healthy controls showed a significant relationship between normal TDT levels and activity in the inferior parietal cortex. This relationship was lost in all patients. Instead, TDT z scores in musician's dystonia established additional correlations with activity in premotor, primary somatosensory, ventral extrastriate cortices, inferior occipital gyrus, precuneus, and cerebellum, whereas nonmusician's dystonia showed a trending correlation in the lingual gyrus extending to the cerebellar vermis. There were no significant relationships between TDT z scores and dystonia onset, duration, or severity. CONCLUSIONS TDT assessment as an endophenotypic marker may only be relevant to nonmusician forms of dystonia because of the lack of apparent alterations in musician's dystonia. Compensatory adaptation of neural circuitry responsible for TDT processing likely adjusted the TDT performance to the behaviorally normal levels in patients with musician's dystonia, but not nonmusician's dystonia. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiachra Maguire
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard B. Reilly
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kristina Simonyan
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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18
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De Bartolo MI, Manzo N, Ferrazzano G, Baione V, Belvisi D, Fabbrini G, Berardelli A, Conte A. Botulinum Toxin Effects on Sensorimotor Integration in Focal Dystonias. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12050277. [PMID: 32344856 PMCID: PMC7290883 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: In dystonia, the somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold (STDT) is abnormally increased at rest and higher and longer-lasting during movement execution in comparison with healthy subjects (HS), suggesting an abnormal sensorimotor integration. These abnormalities are thought to depend on abnormal proprioceptive input coming from dystonic muscles. Since Botulinum toxin-A (BT-A) reduces proprioceptive input in the injected muscles, our study investigated the effects of BT-A on STDT tested at rest and during voluntary movement execution in patients with focal dystonia. (2) Methods: We enrolled 35 patients with focal dystonia: 14 patients with cervical dystonia (CD), 11 patients with blepharospasm (BSP), and 10 patients with focal hand dystonia (FHD); and 12 age-matched HS. STDT tested by delivering paired stimuli was measured in all subjects at rest and during index finger abductions. (3) Results: Patients with dystonia had higher STDT values at rest and during movement execution than HS. While BT-A did not modify STDT at rest, it reduced the abnormal values of STDT during movement in CD and FHD patients, but not in BSP patients. (4) Conclusions: BT-A improved abnormal sensorimotor integration in CD and FHD, most likely by decreasing the overflow of proprioceptive signaling from muscle dystonic activity to the thalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ilenia De Bartolo
- IRCCS NEUROMED, Via Atinense, 18, 86077 Pozzilli (IS), Italy; (M.I.D.B.); (N.M.); (D.B.); (G.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Nicoletta Manzo
- IRCCS NEUROMED, Via Atinense, 18, 86077 Pozzilli (IS), Italy; (M.I.D.B.); (N.M.); (D.B.); (G.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Gina Ferrazzano
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.F.); (V.B.)
| | - Viola Baione
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.F.); (V.B.)
| | - Daniele Belvisi
- IRCCS NEUROMED, Via Atinense, 18, 86077 Pozzilli (IS), Italy; (M.I.D.B.); (N.M.); (D.B.); (G.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Giovanni Fabbrini
- IRCCS NEUROMED, Via Atinense, 18, 86077 Pozzilli (IS), Italy; (M.I.D.B.); (N.M.); (D.B.); (G.F.); (A.C.)
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.F.); (V.B.)
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- IRCCS NEUROMED, Via Atinense, 18, 86077 Pozzilli (IS), Italy; (M.I.D.B.); (N.M.); (D.B.); (G.F.); (A.C.)
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.F.); (V.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Antonella Conte
- IRCCS NEUROMED, Via Atinense, 18, 86077 Pozzilli (IS), Italy; (M.I.D.B.); (N.M.); (D.B.); (G.F.); (A.C.)
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.F.); (V.B.)
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Does the network model fits neurophysiological abnormalities in blepharospasm? Neurol Sci 2020; 41:2067-2079. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04347-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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20
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Kiiski H, Bennett M, Rueda-Delgado LM, Farina FR, Knight R, Boyle R, Roddy D, Grogan K, Bramham J, Kelly C, Whelan R. EEG spectral power, but not theta/beta ratio, is a neuromarker for adult ADHD. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 51:2095-2109. [PMID: 31834950 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been described as having altered resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral power and theta/beta ratio (TBR). However, a recent review (Pulini et al. 2018) identified methodological errors in neuroimaging, including EEG, ADHD classification studies. Therefore, the specific EEG neuromarkers of adult ADHD remain to be identified, as do the EEG characteristics that mediate between genes and behaviour (mediational endophenotypes). Resting-state eyes-open and eyes-closed EEG was measured from 38 adults with ADHD, 45 first-degree relatives of people with ADHD and 51 unrelated controls. A machine learning classification analysis using penalized logistic regression (Elastic Net) examined if EEG spectral power (1-45 Hz) and TBR could classify participants into ADHD, first-degree relatives and/or control groups. Random-label permutation was used to quantify any bias in the analysis. Eyes-open absolute and relative EEG power distinguished ADHD from control participants (area under receiver operating characteristic = 0.71-0.77). The best predictors of ADHD status were increased power in delta, theta and low-alpha over centro-parietal regions, and in frontal low-beta and parietal mid-beta. TBR did not successfully classify ADHD status. Elevated eyes-open power in delta, theta, low-alpha and low-beta distinguished first-degree relatives from controls (area under receiver operating characteristic = 0.68-0.72), suggesting that these features may be a mediational endophenotype for adult ADHD. Resting-state EEG spectral power may be a neuromarker and mediational endophenotype of adult ADHD. These results did not support TBR as a diagnostic neuromarker for ADHD. It is possible that TBR is a characteristic of childhood ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanni Kiiski
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marc Bennett
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Medical Research Council- Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Francesca R Farina
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rachel Knight
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rory Boyle
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Darren Roddy
- Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Katie Grogan
- UCD School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jessica Bramham
- UCD School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clare Kelly
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Robert Whelan
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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21
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Narasimham S, Sundarajan V, McGovern E, Quinlivan B, Killian O, O'Riordan S, Hutchinson M, Reilly RB. Characterizing Brain Network Topology in Cervical Dystonia Patients and Unaffected Relatives via Graph Theory. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2020; 2019:1694-1697. [PMID: 31946223 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2019.8856624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Cervical Dystonia (CD) is a neurological movement disorder characterized by intermittent muscle contractions in the head and neck. The pathophysiology and neural networks underpinning this condition are incompletely understood. There is increasing evidence that isolated focal dystonias are due to network-wide functional alterations. An abnormal temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) is believed to be a mediational endophenotype due to its prevalence in unaffected first-degree relatives as well as patients. However the neural correlates linking abnormal TDT and CD remain poorly understood. Probing changes in large-scale network topology via graph theory with resting state fMRI data from relatives and patients may provide further insight into the pathophysiology of CD. In this study, resting state fMRI data were acquired and analyzed from 16 CD patients with abnormal TDT, 32 unaffected first degree relatives (16 with normal TDT and 16 with abnormal TDT) and 16 healthy controls. Graph theory metrics demonstrating network topology were extracted. The results indicate large-scale functional reorganization of networks in relatives (with abnormal TDT) along with a manifestation of topological aberrations similar to patients.
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23
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Conte A, Rocchi L, Latorre A, Belvisi D, Rothwell JC, Berardelli A. Ten‐Year Reflections on the Neurophysiological Abnormalities of Focal Dystonias in Humans. Mov Disord 2019; 34:1616-1628. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.27859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Conte
- Department of Human Neurosciences Sapienza, University of Rome Rome Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli (IS) Italy
| | - Lorenzo Rocchi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology London UK
| | - Anna Latorre
- Department of Human Neurosciences Sapienza, University of Rome Rome Italy
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology London UK
| | | | - John C. Rothwell
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology London UK
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences Sapienza, University of Rome Rome Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli (IS) Italy
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24
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Functional EEG connectivity is a neuromarker for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Clin Neurophysiol 2019; 131:330-342. [PMID: 31506235 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Altered brain functional connectivity has been shown in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, relatively little is known about functional connectivity in adult ADHD, and how it is linked with the heritability of ADHD. METHODS We measured eyes-open and eyes-closed resting electroencephalography (EEG) from 38 adults with ADHD, 45 1st degree relatives of people with ADHD and 51 healthy controls. Functional connectivity among all scalp channels was calculated using a weighted phase lag index for delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma frequency bands. A machine learning analysis using penalized linear regression was used to identify if connectivity features (10,080 connectivity pairs) could predict ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, we examined if EEG connectivity could accurately classify participants into ADHD, 1st degree relatives and/or control groups. RESULTS Hyperactive symptoms were best predicted by eyes-open EEG connectivity in delta, beta and gamma bands. Inattentive symptoms were predicted by eyes-open EEG connectivity in delta, alpha and gamma bands, and eyes-closed EEG connectivity in delta and gamma bands. EEG connectivity features did not reliably classify participants into groups. CONCLUSIONS EEG connectivity may represent a neuromarker for ADHD symptoms. SIGNIFICANCE EEG connectivity may help elucidate the neural basis of adult ADHD symptoms.
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25
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Narasimham S, McGovern EM, Quinlivan B, Killian O, Beck R, O'Riordan S, Hutchinson M, Reilly RB. Neural Correlates of Abnormal Temporal Discrimination in Unaffected Relatives of Cervical Dystonia Patients. Front Integr Neurosci 2019; 13:8. [PMID: 30914929 PMCID: PMC6423170 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2019.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: An abnormal temporal discrimination threshold in cervical dystonia (CD) is considered to be a mediational endophenotype; in unaffected relatives it is hypothesized to indicate non-manifesting gene carriage. The pathogenesis underlying this condition remains unknown. Investigation of the neural networks involved in disordered temporal discrimination may highlight its pathomechanisms. Objective: To examine resting state brain function in unaffected relatives of CD patients with normal and abnormal temporal discrimination. We hypothesized that the endophenotype, an abnormal temporal discrimination, would manifest as altered connectivity in relatives in regions associated with CD, thereby illuminating the neural substrates of the link between temporal discrimination and CD. Methods: Rs-fMRI data was analyzed from two sex- and age-matched cohorts: 16 unaffected relatives of CD patients with normal temporal discrimination and 16 with abnormal temporal discrimination. Regional and whole brain functional connectivity measures were extracted via Independent Component Analysis (ICA), Regional Homogeneity (ReHo), and Amplitude of Low Frequency (ALFF) analyses. Results: Our ICA analysis revealed increased connectivity within both the executive control and cerebellar networks and decreased connectivity within the sensorimotor network in relatives with abnormal temporal discrimination when compared to relatives with normal temporal discrimination. The ReHo and ALFF analyses complimented these results and demonstrated connectivity differences in areas corresponding to motor planning, movement coordination, visual information processing, and eye movements in unaffected relatives with abnormal temporal discrimination. Conclusion: Disordered connectivity in unaffected relatives with abnormal temporal discrimination illuminates neural substrates underlying endophenotype expression and supports the hypothesis that genetically determined aberrant connectivity, when later coupled with unknown environmental triggers, may lead to disease penetrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Narasimham
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eavan M McGovern
- School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan Quinlivan
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Owen Killian
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rebecca Beck
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean O'Riordan
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard B Reilly
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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27
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Beck RB, Kneafsey SL, Narasimham S, O’Riordan S, Isa T, Hutchinson M, Reilly RB. Reduced Frequency of Ipsilateral Express Saccades in Cervical Dystonia: Probing the Nigro-Tectal Pathway. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2018; 8:592. [PMID: 30510845 PMCID: PMC6262171 DOI: 10.7916/d8864094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cervical dystonia is a hyperkinetic movement disorder of unknown cause. Symptoms of cervical dystonia have been induced in animals in which the integrity of the nigro-tectal pathway is disrupted, resulting in reduced inhibition of the deep layers of the superior colliculus. This same pathway is believed to play a critical role in saccade generation, particularly visually guided, express saccades. It was hypothesized that individuals with cervical dystonia would present with a higher frequency of express saccades and more directional errors. Methods Eight individuals with cervical dystonia and 11 age- and sex-matched control participants performed three saccadic paradigms: pro-saccade, gap, and anti-saccade (120 trials per task). Eye movements were recorded using electro-oculography. Results Mean saccadic reaction times were slower in the cervical dystonia group (only statistically significant in the anti-saccade task, F(1, 35) = 4.76, p = 0.036); participants with cervical dystonia produced fewer directional errors (mean 14% vs. 22%) in the anti-saccade task; and had similar frequencies of express saccades in the gap task relative to our control population (chi-square = 1.13, p = 0.287). All cervical dystonia participants had lower frequencies of express saccades ipsilateral to their dystonic side (the side to which their head turns), (chi-square = 3.57, p = 0.059). Discussion The finding of slower saccadic reaction times in cervical dystonia does not support the concept of reduced inhibition in the nigro-tectal pathway. Further research is required to confirm the observed relationship between the lateralization of lower frequencies of express saccades and direction of head rotation in cervical dystonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca B. Beck
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, IE
- Trinity Centre for BioEngineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, IE
| | - Simone L. Kneafsey
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, IE
- Trinity Centre for BioEngineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, IE
| | - Shruti Narasimham
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, IE
- Trinity Centre for BioEngineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, IE
| | - Sean O’Riordan
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, IE
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College DublinIE
| | - Tadashi Isa
- Department of Neuroscience, Kyoto University, Kyoto, JP
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, IE
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College DublinIE
| | - Richard B. Reilly
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, IE
- Trinity Centre for BioEngineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, IE
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, IE
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28
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Conte A, Belvisi D, De Bartolo MI, Manzo N, Cortese FN, Tartaglia M, Ferrazzano G, Fabbrini G, Berardelli A. Abnormal sensory gating in patients with different types of focal dystonias. Mov Disord 2018; 33:1910-1917. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.27530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Conte
- Department of Human Neurosciences; Sapienza, University of Rome; Rome Italy
- IRCCS NEUROMED; Pozzilli IS Italy
| | | | | | - Nicoletta Manzo
- Department of Human Neurosciences; Sapienza, University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | | | - Matteo Tartaglia
- Department of Human Neurosciences; Sapienza, University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Fabbrini
- Department of Human Neurosciences; Sapienza, University of Rome; Rome Italy
- IRCCS NEUROMED; Pozzilli IS Italy
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences; Sapienza, University of Rome; Rome Italy
- IRCCS NEUROMED; Pozzilli IS Italy
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Erro R, Rocchi L, Antelmi E, Liguori R, Tinazzi M, Berardelli A, Rothwell J, Bhatia KP. High frequency somatosensory stimulation in dystonia: Evidence fordefective inhibitory plasticity. Mov Disord 2018; 33:1902-1909. [PMID: 30376603 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apart from motor symptoms, multiple deficits of sensory processing have been demonstrated in dystonia. The most consistent behavioural measure of this is abnormal somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold, which has recently been associated with physiological measures of reduced inhibition within the primary somatosensory area. High-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation is a patterned electric stimulation applied to the skin through surface electrodes that has been recently reported to shorten somatosensory temporal discrimination in healthy subjects and to increase the resting level of excitability in several different types of inhibitory interaction in the somatosensory and even motor areas. OBJECTIVES We tested whether high-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation could augment cortical inhibition and, in turn, ameliorate somatosensory temporal discrimination in cervical dystonia. METHODS Somatosensory temporal discrimination and a number of electrophysiological measures of sensorimotor inhibition and facilitation were measured before and after 45 minutes of high-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation. RESULTS As compared with a group of healthy volunteers of similar age, in whom high-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation increased inhibition and shortened somatosensory temporal discrimination, patients with cervical dystonia showed a consistent, paradoxical response: they had reduced suppression of paired-pulse somatosensory evoked potentials, as well as reduced high-frequency oscillations, lateral inhibition, and short interval intracortical inhibition. Somatosensory temporal discrimination deteriorated after the stimulation protocol, and correlated with reduced measures of inhibition within the primary somatosensory cortex. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that patients with dystonia have abnormal homeostatic inhibitory plasticity within the sensorimotor cortex and that this is responsible for their paradoxical response to high-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Erro
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana,", University of Salerno, Baronissi (Salerno), Italy
| | - Lorenzo Rocchi
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Rome "Sapienza,", Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Antelmi
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rocco Liguori
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Tinazzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Rome "Sapienza,", Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Neuromed Institute, Via Atinense, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - John Rothwell
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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30
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Abstract
Dystonia is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements. Although the precise mechanisms of dystonia development remain unknown, the diversity of its clinical phenotypes is thought to be associated with multifactorial pathophysiology, which is linked not only to alterations of brain organization, but also environmental stressors and gene mutations. This chapter will present an overview of the pathophysiology of isolated dystonia through the lens of applications of major neuroimaging methodologies, with links to genetics and environmental factors that play a prominent role in symptom manifestation.
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31
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Somatosensory temporal discrimination in Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and essential tremor: Pathophysiological and clinical implications. Clin Neurophysiol 2018; 129:1849-1853. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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32
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Avanzino L, Fiorio M, Conte A. Actual and Illusory Perception in Parkinson's Disease and Dystonia: A Narrative Review. Front Neurol 2018; 9:584. [PMID: 30079051 PMCID: PMC6062595 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory information is continuously processed so as to allow behavior to be adjusted according to environmental changes. Before sensory information reaches the cortex, a number of subcortical neural structures select the relevant information to send to be consciously processed. In recent decades, several studies have shown that the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and dystonia involve sensory processing abnormalities related to proprioceptive and tactile information. These abnormalities emerge from psychophysical testing, mainly temporal discrimination, as well as from experimental paradigms based on bodily illusions. Although the link between proprioception and movement may be unequivocal, how temporal tactile information abnormalities and bodily illusions relate to motor disturbances in PD and dystonia is still a matter of debate. This review considers the role of altered sensory processing in the pathophysiology of movement disorders, focusing on how sensory alteration patterns differ between PD and dystonia. We also discuss the evidence available and the potential for developing new therapeutic strategies based on the manipulation of multi-sensory information and bodily illusions in patients with these movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Avanzino
- Section of Human Physiology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mirta Fiorio
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Antonella Conte
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
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33
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Lee MS, Lee MJ, Conte A, Berardelli A. Abnormal somatosensory temporal discrimination in Parkinson’s disease: Pathophysiological correlates and role in motor control deficits. Clin Neurophysiol 2018; 129:442-447. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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34
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Beck RB, McGovern EM, Butler JS, Birsanu D, Quinlivan B, Beiser I, Narasimham S, O'Riordan S, Hutchinson M, Reilly RB. Measurement & Analysis of the Temporal Discrimination Threshold Applied to Cervical Dystonia. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29443021 DOI: 10.3791/56310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) is the shortest time interval at which an observer can discriminate two sequential stimuli as being asynchronous (typically 30-50 ms). It has been shown to be abnormal (prolonged) in neurological disorders, including cervical dystonia, a phenotype of adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia. The TDT is a quantitative measure of the ability to perceive rapid changes in the environment and is considered indicative of the behavior of the visual neurons in the superior colliculus, a key node in covert attentional orienting. This article sets out methods for measuring the TDT (including two hardware options and two modes of stimuli presentation). We also explore two approaches of data analysis and TDT calculation. The application of the assessment of temporal discrimination to the understanding of the pathogenesis of cervical dystonia and adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca B Beck
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin;
| | - Eavan M McGovern
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin; Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin
| | - John S Butler
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology
| | - Dorina Birsanu
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
| | - Brendan Quinlivan
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
| | - Ines Beiser
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin; Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin
| | - Shruti Narasimham
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
| | - Sean O'Riordan
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin
| | - Richard B Reilly
- School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin; School of Medicine Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
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35
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Bhatia KP, Bain P, Bajaj N, Elble RJ, Hallett M, Louis ED, Raethjen J, Stamelou M, Testa CM, Deuschl G. Consensus Statement on the classification of tremors. from the task force on tremor of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. Mov Disord 2018; 33:75-87. [PMID: 29193359 PMCID: PMC6530552 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 766] [Impact Index Per Article: 127.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consensus criteria for classifying tremor disorders were published by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society in 1998. Subsequent advances with regard to essential tremor, tremor associated with dystonia, and other monosymptomatic and indeterminate tremors make a significant revision necessary. OBJECTIVES Convene an international panel of experienced investigators to review the definition and classification of tremor. METHODS Computerized MEDLINE searches in January 2013 and 2015 were conducted using a combination of text words and MeSH terms: "tremor", "tremor disorders", "essential tremor", "dystonic tremor", and "classification" limited to human studies. Agreement was obtained using consensus development methodology during four in-person meetings, two teleconferences, and numerous manuscript reviews. RESULTS Tremor is defined as an involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movement of a body part and is classified along two axes: Axis 1-clinical characteristics, including historical features (age at onset, family history, and temporal evolution), tremor characteristics (body distribution, activation condition), associated signs (systemic, neurological), and laboratory tests (electrophysiology, imaging); and Axis 2-etiology (acquired, genetic, or idiopathic). Tremor syndromes, consisting of either isolated tremor or tremor combined with other clinical features, are defined within Axis 1. This classification scheme retains the currently accepted tremor syndromes, including essential tremor, and provides a framework for defining new syndromes. CONCLUSIONS This approach should be particularly useful in elucidating isolated tremor syndromes and syndromes consisting of tremor and other signs of uncertain significance. Consistently defined Axis 1 syndromes are needed to facilitate the elucidation of specific etiologies in Axis 2. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailash P. Bhatia
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London (UCL) Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Bain
- Department of Neurosciences, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Nin Bajaj
- Division of Neurology, Nottingham University Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rodger J. Elble
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois, USA
| | - Mark Hallett
- Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elan D. Louis
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, and Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jan Raethjen
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel Campus, Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Maria Stamelou
- Department of Neurology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Attikon Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Guenther Deuschl
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel Campus, Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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36
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Hutchinson M, McGovern EM, Narasimham S, Beck R, Reilly RB, Walsh CD, Malone KM, Tijssen MAJ, O'Riordan S. The premotor syndrome of cervical dystonia: Disordered processing of salient environmental stimuli. Mov Disord 2017; 33:232-237. [PMID: 29205495 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eavan M McGovern
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Shruti Narasimham
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rebecca Beck
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard B Reilly
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cathal D Walsh
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Kevin M Malone
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marina A J Tijssen
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sean O'Riordan
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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37
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Does the Somatosensory Temporal Discrimination Threshold Change over Time in Focal Dystonia? Neural Plast 2017; 2017:9848070. [PMID: 29062576 PMCID: PMC5618781 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9848070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold (STDT) is defined as the shortest interval at which an individual recognizes two stimuli as asynchronous. Some evidence suggests that STDT depends on cortical inhibitory interneurons in the basal ganglia and in primary somatosensory cortex. Several studies have reported that the STDT in patients with dystonia is abnormal. No longitudinal studies have yet investigated whether STDT values in different forms of focal dystonia change during the course of the disease. Methods We designed a follow-up study on 25 patients with dystonia (15 with blepharospasm and 10 with cervical dystonia) who were tested twice: upon enrolment and 8 years later. STDT values from dystonic patients at the baseline were also compared with those from a group of 30 age-matched healthy subjects. Results Our findings show that the abnormally high STDT values observed in patients with focal dystonia remained unchanged at the 8-year follow-up assessment whereas disease severity worsened. Conclusions Our observation that STDT abnormalities in dystonia remain unmodified during the course of the disease suggests that the altered activity of inhibitory interneurons—either at cortical or at subcortical level—responsible for the increased STDT does not deteriorate as the disease progresses.
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Paracka L, Wegner F, Blahak C, Abdallat M, Saryyeva A, Dressler D, Karst M, Krauss JK. Sensory Alterations in Patients with Isolated Idiopathic Dystonia: An Exploratory Quantitative Sensory Testing Analysis. Front Neurol 2017; 8:553. [PMID: 29089923 PMCID: PMC5650962 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in the somatosensory system are increasingly being recognized in patients with dystonia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether sensory abnormalities are confined to the dystonic body segments or whether there is a wider involvement in patients with idiopathic dystonia. For this purpose, we recruited 20 patients, 8 had generalized, 5 had segmental dystonia with upper extremity involvement, and 7 had cervical dystonia. In total, there were 13 patients with upper extremity involvement. We used Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) at the back of the hand in all patients and at the shoulder in patients with cervical dystonia. The main finding on the hand QST was impaired cold detection threshold (CDT), dynamic mechanical allodynia (DMA), and thermal sensory limen (TSL). The alterations were present on both hands, but more pronounced on the side more affected with dystonia. Patients with cervical dystonia showed a reduced CDT and hot detection threshold (HDT), enhanced TSL and DMA at the back of the hand, whereas the shoulder QST only revealed increased cold pain threshold and DMA. In summary, QST clearly shows distinct sensory abnormalities in patients with idiopathic dystonia, which may also manifest in body regions without evident dystonia. Further studies with larger groups of dystonia patients are needed to prove the consistency of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lejla Paracka
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian Wegner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Blahak
- Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mahmoud Abdallat
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Assel Saryyeva
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Dressler
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthias Karst
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Joachim K Krauss
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Mascheretti S, Gori S, Trezzi V, Ruffino M, Facoetti A, Marino C. Visual motion and rapid auditory processing are solid endophenotypes of developmental dyslexia. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 17:70-81. [PMID: 28834383 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although a genetic component is known to have an important role in the etiology of developmental dyslexia (DD), we are far from understanding the molecular etiopathogenetic pathways. Reduced measures of neurobiological functioning related to reading (dis)ability, i.e. endophenotypes (EPs), are promising targets for gene finding and the elucidation of the underlying mechanisms. In a sample of 100 nuclear families with DD (229 offspring) and 83 unrelated typical readers, we tested whether a set of well-established, cognitive phenotypes related to DD [i.e. rapid auditory processing (RAP), rapid automatized naming (RAN), multisensory nonspatial attention and visual motion processing] fulfilled the criteria of the EP construct. Visual motion and RAP satisfied all testable criteria (i.e. they are heritable, associate with the disorder, co-segregate with the disorder within a family and represent reproducible measures) and are therefore solid EPs of DD. Multisensory nonspatial attention satisfied three of four criteria (i.e. it associates with the disorder, co-segregates with the disorder within a family and represents a reproducible measure) and is therefore a potential EP for DD. Rapid automatized naming is heritable but does not meet other criteria of the EP construct. We provide the first evidence of a methodologically and statistically sound approach for identifying EPs for DD to be exploited as a solid alternative basis to clinical phenotypes in neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Mascheretti
- Child Psychopathology Unit; Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea; Bosisio Parini Italy
| | - S. Gori
- Child Psychopathology Unit; Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea; Bosisio Parini Italy
- Department of Human and Social Sciences; University of Bergamo; Bergamo Italy
| | - V. Trezzi
- Child Psychopathology Unit; Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea; Bosisio Parini Italy
| | - M. Ruffino
- Child Psychopathology Unit; Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea; Bosisio Parini Italy
| | - A. Facoetti
- Child Psychopathology Unit; Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea; Bosisio Parini Italy
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology; University of Padua; Padua Italy
| | - C. Marino
- Child Psychopathology Unit; Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea; Bosisio Parini Italy
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; University of Toronto; ON Canada
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Mc Govern EM, O'Connor E, Beiser I, Williams L, Butler JS, Quinlivan B, Narasimham S, Beck R, Reilly RB, O'Riordan S, Hutchinson M. Menstrual cycle and the temporal discrimination threshold. Physiol Meas 2017; 38:N65-N72. [PMID: 28099161 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/38/2/n65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) is a proposed pre-clinical biomarker (endophenotype) for adult onset isolated focal dystonia (AOIFD). Age- and sex-related effects on temporal discrimination demonstrate that women, before the age of 40 years, have faster temporal discrimination than men but their TDTs worsen with age at almost three times the rate of men. Thus after 40 years the TDT in women is progressively worse than in men. AOIFD is an increasingly female-predominant disorder after the age of 40; it is not clear whether this age-related sexually-dimorphic difference observed for both the TDT and sex ratio at disease onset in AOIFD is a hormonal or chromosomal effect. The aim of this study was to examine temporal discrimination at weekly intervals during two consecutive menstrual cycles in 14 healthy female volunteers to determine whether physiological hormonal changes affected temporal discrimination. We observed no significant differences in weekly temporal discrimination threshold values during the menstrual cycles and no significant correlation with the menstrual cycle stage. This observed stability of temporal discrimination during cyclical hormonal change raises interesting questions concerning the age-related sexually-dimorphic decline observed in temporal discrimination. Our findings pave the way for future studies exploring potential pathomechanisms for this age-related deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eavan M Mc Govern
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Dublin, Ireland
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Mc Govern EM, Butler JS, Beiser I, Williams L, Quinlivan B, Narasiham S, Beck R, O'Riordan S, Reilly RB, Hutchinson M. A comparison of stimulus presentation methods in temporal discrimination testing. Physiol Meas 2017; 38:N57-N64. [PMID: 28099169 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/38/2/n57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) is the shortest time interval at which an individual detects two stimuli to be asynchronous (normal = 30-50 ms). It has been shown to be abnormal in patients with disorders affecting the basal ganglia including adult onset idiopathic focal dystonia (AOIFD). Up to 97% of patients have an abnormal TDT with age- and sex-related penetrance in unaffected relatives, demonstrating an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. These findings support the use of the TDT as a pre-clinical biomarker for AOIFD. The usual stimulus presentation method involves the presentation of progressively asynchronous stimuli; when three sequential stimuli are reported asynchronous is taken as a participant's TDT. To investigate the robustness of the 'staircase' method of presentation, we introduced a method of randomised presentation order to explore any potential 'learning effect' that may be associated with this existing method. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in temporal discrimination using two methods of stimulus presentation. Thirty healthy volunteers were recruited to the study (mean age 33.73 ± 3.4 years). Visual and tactile TDT testing using a staircase and randomised method of presentation order was carried out in a single session. There was a strong relationship between the staircase and random method for TDT values. This observed consistency between testing methods suggests that the existing experimental approach is a robust method of recording an individual's TDT. In addition, our newly devised randomised paradigm is a reproducible and more efficient method for data acquisition in the clinic setting. However, the two presentation methods yield different absolute TDT results and either of the two methods should be used uniformly in all participants in any one particular study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eavan M Mc Govern
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Dublin, Ireland
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Contarino MF, Smit M, van den Dool J, Volkmann J, Tijssen MAJ. Unmet Needs in the Management of Cervical Dystonia. Front Neurol 2016; 7:165. [PMID: 27733842 PMCID: PMC5039169 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical dystonia (CD) is a movement disorder which affects daily living of many patients. In clinical practice, several unmet treatment needs remain open. This article focuses on the four main aspects of treatment. We describe existing and emerging treatment approaches for CD, including botulinum toxin injections, surgical therapy, management of non-motor symptoms, and rehabilitation strategies. The unsolved issues regarding each of these treatments are identified and discussed, and possible future approaches and research lines are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fiorella Contarino
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Haga Teaching Hospital, The Hague, Netherlands
| | - Marenka Smit
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , Netherlands
| | - Joost van den Dool
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands; Faculty of Health, ACHIEVE Centre of Applied Research, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jens Volkmann
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany
| | - Marina A J Tijssen
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , Netherlands
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Abnormal interhemispheric inhibition in musician's dystonia - Trait or state? Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2016; 25:33-8. [PMID: 26923523 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2016.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A clustering of relatives with dystonia has been reported in families with musician's dystonia suggesting a genetic contribution to this disease. The aim of the present study was to determine whether interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation is impaired in healthy family members rendering it a suitable endophenotypic marker for musician's dystonia. METHODS Patients with musician's hand dystonia (n = 21), patients with sporadic writer's cramp (n = 15), their healthy family members (n = 27), healthy musicians (n = 12) and healthy non-musicians (n = 12) were included. An extended interview about the family history and musical activity was performed. IHI in both hemispheres was measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation. RESULTS A stepwise regression analysis revealed musical activity (p = 0.001) and a family history of dystonia (p = 0.008) but not dystonia per se, age, handedness or gender as relevant factors modulating IHI. CONCLUSION These data support the notion of a genetic background of musician's hand dystonia and suggests that reduced IHI is a possible endophenotypic marker of this disorder.
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Butler JS, Beiser IM, Williams L, McGovern E, Molloy F, Lynch T, Healy DG, Moore H, Walsh R, Reilly RB, O'Riordan S, Walsh C, Hutchinson M. Age-Related Sexual Dimorphism in Temporal Discrimination and in Adult-Onset Dystonia Suggests GABAergic Mechanisms. Front Neurol 2015; 6:258. [PMID: 26696957 PMCID: PMC4677337 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adult-onset isolated focal dystonia (AOIFD) presenting in early adult life is more frequent in men, whereas in middle age it is female predominant. Temporal discrimination, an endophenotype of adult-onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia, shows evidence of sexual dimorphism in healthy participants. Objectives We assessed the distinctive features of age-related sexual dimorphism of (i) sex ratios in dystonia phenotypes and (ii) sexual dimorphism in temporal discrimination in unaffected relatives of cervical dystonia patients. Methods We performed (i) a meta-regression analysis of the proportion of men in published cohorts of phenotypes of adult-onset dystonia in relation to their mean age of onset and (ii) an analysis of temporal discrimination thresholds in 220 unaffected first-degree relatives (125 women) of cervical dystonia patients. Results In 53 studies of dystonia phenotypes, the proportion of men showed a highly significant negative association with mean age of onset (p < 0.0001, pseudo-R2 = 59.6%), with increasing female predominance from 40 years of age. Age of onset and phenotype together explained 92.8% of the variance in proportion of men. Temporal discrimination in relatives under the age of 35 years is faster in women than men but the age-related rate of deterioration in women is twice that of men; after 45 years of age, men have faster temporal discrimination than women. Conclusion Temporal discrimination in unaffected relatives of cervical dystonia patients and sex ratios in adult-onset dystonia phenotypes show similar patterns of age-related sexual dimorphism. Such age-related sexual dimorphism in temporal discrimination and adult-onset focal dystonia may reflect common underlying mechanisms. Cerebral GABA levels have been reported to show similar age-related sexual dimorphism in healthy participants and may be the mechanism underlying the observed age-related sexual dimorphism in temporal discrimination and the sex ratios in AOIFD.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Butler
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Ines M Beiser
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Laura Williams
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Eavan McGovern
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | | | - Tim Lynch
- Dublin Neurological Institute, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Richard B Reilly
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Seán O'Riordan
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Cathal Walsh
- Department of Statistics, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland ; Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick , Limerick , Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
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Termsarasab P, Ramdhani RA, Battistella G, Rubien-Thomas E, Choy M, Farwell IM, Velickovic M, Blitzer A, Frucht SJ, Reilly RB, Hutchinson M, Ozelius LJ, Simonyan K. Neural correlates of abnormal sensory discrimination in laryngeal dystonia. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2015; 10:18-26. [PMID: 26693398 PMCID: PMC4660380 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2015.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant sensory processing plays a fundamental role in the pathophysiology of dystonia; however, its underpinning neural mechanisms in relation to dystonia phenotype and genotype remain unclear. We examined temporal and spatial discrimination thresholds in patients with isolated laryngeal form of dystonia (LD), who exhibited different clinical phenotypes (adductor vs. abductor forms) and potentially different genotypes (sporadic vs. familial forms). We correlated our behavioral findings with the brain gray matter volume and functional activity during resting and symptomatic speech production. We found that temporal but not spatial discrimination was significantly altered across all forms of LD, with higher frequency of abnormalities seen in familial than sporadic patients. Common neural correlates of abnormal temporal discrimination across all forms were found with structural and functional changes in the middle frontal and primary somatosensory cortices. In addition, patients with familial LD had greater cerebellar involvement in processing of altered temporal discrimination, whereas sporadic LD patients had greater recruitment of the putamen and sensorimotor cortex. Based on the clinical phenotype, adductor form-specific correlations between abnormal discrimination and brain changes were found in the frontal cortex, whereas abductor form-specific correlations were observed in the cerebellum and putamen. Our behavioral and neuroimaging findings outline the relationship of abnormal sensory discrimination with the phenotype and genotype of isolated LD, suggesting the presence of potentially divergent pathophysiological pathways underlying different manifestations of this disorder. Abnormal temporal but not spatial discrimination is an LD mediational endophenotype. Penetrance of abnormal TDT is higher in familial than sporadic LD. No differences in penetrance between clinical phenotypes of LD Distinct neural phenotype/genotype relations of TDT reflect divergent pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pichet Termsarasab
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Ritesh A. Ramdhani
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | | | - Estee Rubien-Thomas
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Melissa Choy
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Ian M. Farwell
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Miodrag Velickovic
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Andrew Blitzer
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Head and Neck Surgical Group, New York, USA
| | - Steven J. Frucht
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | | | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Laurie J. Ozelius
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Kristina Simonyan
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Corresponding author at: Department of Neurology, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1137, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.Department of NeurologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiOne Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1137New YorkNY10029USA
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Williams LJ, Butler JS, Molloy A, McGovern E, Beiser I, Kimmich O, Quinlivan B, O'Riordan S, Hutchinson M, Reilly RB. Young Women do it Better: Sexual Dimorphism in Temporal Discrimination. Front Neurol 2015. [PMID: 26217303 PMCID: PMC4497309 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) is the shortest time interval at which two sensory stimuli presented sequentially are detected as asynchronous by the observer. TDTs are known to increase with age. Having previously observed shorter thresholds in young women than in men, in this work we sought to systematically examine the effect of sex and age on temporal discrimination. The aims of this study were to examine, in a large group of men and women aged 20–65 years, the distribution of TDTs with an analysis of the individual participant’s responses, assessing the “point of subjective equality” and the “just noticeable difference” (JND). These respectively assess sensitivity and accuracy of an individual’s response. In 175 participants (88 women) aged 20–65 years, temporal discrimination was faster in women than in men under the age of 40 years by a mean of approximately 13 ms. However, age-related decline in temporal discrimination was three times faster in women so that, in the age group of 40–65 years, the female superiority was reversed. The point of subjective equality showed a similar advantage in younger women and more marked age-related decline in women than men, as the TDT. JND values declined equally in both sexes, showing no sexual dimorphism. This observed sexual dimorphism in temporal discrimination is important for both (a) future clinical research assessing disordered mid-brain covert attention in basal-ganglia disorders, and (b) understanding the biology of this sexual dimorphism which may be genetic or hormonal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jane Williams
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - John S Butler
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Anna Molloy
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Eavan McGovern
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Ines Beiser
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Okka Kimmich
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Brendan Quinlivan
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Sean O'Riordan
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Richard B Reilly
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland ; School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
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Avanzino L, Tinazzi M, Ionta S, Fiorio M. Sensory-motor integration in focal dystonia. Neuropsychologia 2015; 79:288-300. [PMID: 26164472 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Traditional definitions of focal dystonia point to its motor component, mainly affecting planning and execution of voluntary movements. However, focal dystonia is tightly linked also to sensory dysfunction. Accurate motor control requires an optimal processing of afferent inputs from different sensory systems, in particular visual and somatosensory (e.g., touch and proprioception). Several experimental studies indicate that sensory-motor integration - the process through which sensory information is used to plan, execute, and monitor movements - is impaired in focal dystonia. The neural degenerations associated with these alterations affect not only the basal ganglia-thalamic-frontal cortex loop, but also the parietal cortex and cerebellum. The present review outlines the experimental studies describing impaired sensory-motor integration in focal dystonia, establishes their relationship with changes in specific neural mechanisms, and provides new insight towards the implementation of novel intervention protocols. Based on the reviewed state-of-the-art evidence, the theoretical framework summarized in the present article will not only result in a better understanding of the pathophysiology of dystonia, but it will also lead to the development of new rehabilitation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Avanzino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Centro Polifunzionale di Scienze Motorie, University of Genoa, 16132 genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Tinazzi
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37131 Verona, Italy
| | - Silvio Ionta
- Laboratory for Investigative Neurophysiology, Department of Radiology and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mirta Fiorio
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37131 Verona, Italy.
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Butler JS, Molloy A, Williams L, Kimmich O, Quinlivan B, O'Riordan S, Hutchinson M, Reilly RB. Non-parametric bootstrapping method for measuring the temporal discrimination threshold for movement disorders. J Neural Eng 2015; 12:046026. [PMID: 26087478 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2560/12/4/046026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent studies have proposed that the temporal discrimination threshold (TDT), the shortest detectable time period between two stimuli, is a possible endophenotype for adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia (AOIFD). Patients with AOIFD, the third most common movement disorder, and their first-degree relatives have been shown to have abnormal visual and tactile TDTs. For this reason it is important to fully characterize each participant's data. To date the TDT has only been reported as a single value. APPROACH Here, we fit individual participant data with a cumulative Gaussian to extract the mean and standard deviation of the distribution. The mean represents the point of subjective equality (PSE), the inter-stimulus interval at which participants are equally likely to respond that two stimuli are one stimulus (synchronous) or two different stimuli (asynchronous). The standard deviation represents the just noticeable difference (JND) which is how sensitive participants are to changes in temporal asynchrony around the PSE. We extended this method by submitting the data to a non-parametric bootstrapped analysis to get 95% confidence intervals on individual participant data. MAIN RESULTS Both the JND and PSE correlate with the TDT value but are independent of each other. Hence this suggests that they represent different facets of the TDT. Furthermore, we divided groups by age and compared the TDT, PSE, and JND values. The analysis revealed a statistical difference for the PSE which was only trending for the TDT. SIGNIFICANCE The analysis method will enable deeper analysis of the TDT to leverage subtle differences within and between control and patient groups, not apparent in the standard TDT measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Butler
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Normal motor adaptation in cervical dystonia: a fundamental cerebellar computation is intact. THE CEREBELLUM 2015; 13:558-67. [PMID: 24872202 PMCID: PMC4155166 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-014-0569-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The potential role of the cerebellum in the pathophysiology of dystonia has become a focus of recent research. However, direct evidence for a cerebellar contribution in humans with dystonia is difficult to obtain. We examined motor adaptation, a test of cerebellar function, in 20 subjects with primary cervical dystonia and an equal number of aged matched controls. Adaptation to both visuomotor (distorting visual feedback by 30°) and forcefield (applying a velocity-dependent force) conditions were tested. Our hypothesis was that cerebellar abnormalities observed in dystonia research would translate into deficits of cerebellar adaptation. We also examined the relationship between adaptation and dystonic head tremor as many primary tremor models implicate the cerebellothalamocortical network which is specifically tested by this motor paradigm. Rates of adaptation (learning) in cervical dystonia were identical to healthy controls in both visuomotor and forcefield tasks. Furthermore, the ability to adapt was not clearly related to clinical features of dystonic head tremor. We have shown that a key motor control function of the cerebellum is intact in the most common form of primary dystonia. These results have important implications for current anatomical models of the pathophysiology of dystonia. It is important to attempt to progress from general statements that implicate the cerebellum to a more specific evidence-based model. The role of the cerebellum in this enigmatic disease perhaps remains to be proven.
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Molloy A, Kimmich O, Williams L, Butler JS, Byrne N, Molloy F, Moore H, Healy DG, Lynch T, Edwards MJ, Walsh C, Reilly RB, O'Riordan S, Hutchinson M. An evaluation of the role of environmental factors in the disease penetrance of cervical dystonia. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2015; 86:331-5. [PMID: 24963124 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2014-307699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adult onset primary torsion dystonia (AOPTD) is a poorly penetrant autosomal dominant disorder; most gene carriers are non-manifesting despite having reached an adequate age for penetrance. It is hypothesised that genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors may exert protective or deleterious effects on penetrance of AOPTD. By examining environmental exposure history in cervical dystonia patients and their similarly aged unaffected siblings we aimed to determine the role of previous environmental exposures in relation to disease penetrance. METHODS A case-control study of 67 patients with cervical dystonia and 67 of their age-matched unaffected siblings was performed. Past environmental exposures were assessed using a detailed 124-question standardised questionnaire. RESULTS By univariate analysis, cervical dystonia patients, compared to their unaffected siblings, had an increased frequency of a history of car accidents with hospital attendance (OR 10.1, 95% CI 2.1 to 47.4, p=0.004) and surgical episodes (OR 6.5, 95% CI 1.76 to 23.61, p=0.005). Following multivariate analysis, car accidents with hospital attendance (OR 7.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 37.6, p=0.017) and all surgical episodes (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.24 to 19.31, p=0.023) remained significantly associated with case status. CONCLUSIONS Cervical dystonia patients had a history, prior to symptom onset, of significantly more frequent episodes of surgery and of car accidents with hospital attendance than their age-matched unaffected siblings. Soft tissue trauma appears to increase risk of development of cervical dystonia in genetically predetermined individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Molloy
- Dept of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Okka Kimmich
- Dept of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Laura Williams
- Dept of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John S Butler
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niall Byrne
- Dept of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona Molloy
- Department of Neurophysiology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Helena Moore
- Department of Neurology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Daniel G Healy
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tim Lynch
- Dublin Neurological Institute, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark J Edwards
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Cathal Walsh
- Department of Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard B Reilly
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean O'Riordan
- Dept of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Dept of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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