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Colella D, Passaretti M, Frantellizzi V, Silvia De Feo M, Cannavacciuolo A, Angelini L, Birreci D, Costa D, Paparella G, Guerra A, De Vincentis G, Berardelli A, Bologna M. Subtle changes in central dopaminergic tone underlie bradykinesia in essential tremor. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 40:103526. [PMID: 37847966 PMCID: PMC10587600 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In this research, our primary objective was to explore the correlation between basal ganglia dopaminergic neurotransmission, assessed using 123I-FP-CIT (DAT-SPECT), and finger movements abnormalities in patients with essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS We enrolled 16 patients with ET, 17 with PD, and 18 healthy controls (HC). Each participant underwent comprehensive clinical evaluations, kinematic assessments of finger tapping. ET and PD patients underwent DAT-SPECT imaging. The DAT-SPECT scans were subjected to both visual and semi-quantitative analysis using DaTQUANT®. We then investigated the correlations between the clinical, kinematic, and DAT-SPECT data, in patients. RESULTS Our findings confirm that individuals with ET exhibited slower finger tapping than HC. Visual evaluation of radiotracer uptake in both striata demonstrated normal levels within the ET patient cohort, while PD patients displayed reduced uptake. However, there was notable heterogeneity in the quantification of uptake within the striata among ET patients. Additionally, we found a correlation between the amount of radiotracer uptake in the striatum and movement velocity during finger tapping in patients. Specifically, lower radioligand uptake corresponded to decreased movement velocity (ET: coef. = 0.53, p-adj = 0.03; PD: coef. = 0.59, p-adj = 0.01). CONCLUSION The study's findings suggest a potential link between subtle changes in central dopaminergic tone and altered voluntary movement execution, in ET. These results provide further insights into the pathophysiology of ET. However, longitudinal studies are essential to determine whether the slight reduction in dopaminergic tone observed in ET patients represents a distinct subtype of the disease or could serve as a predictor for the clinical progression into PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Colella
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Passaretti
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Viviana Frantellizzi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Silvia De Feo
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luca Angelini
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Birreci
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Costa
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Paparella
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Andrea Guerra
- Parkinson and Movement Disorder Unit, Study Center on Neurodegeneration (CESNE), Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Vincentis
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berardelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Matteo Bologna
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
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Gauthier-Lafreniere E, Aljassar M, Rymar VV, Milton J, Sadikot AF. A standardized accelerometry method for characterizing tremor: Application and validation in an ageing population with postural and action tremor. Front Neuroinform 2022; 16:878279. [PMID: 35991289 PMCID: PMC9386269 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2022.878279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ordinal scales based on qualitative observation are the mainstay in the clinical assessment of tremor, but are limited by inter-rater reliability, measurement precision, range, and ceiling effects. Quantitative tremor evaluation is well-developed in research, but clinical application has lagged, in part due to cumbersome mathematical application and lack of established standards. Objectives To develop a novel method for evaluating tremor that integrates a standardized clinical exam, wrist-watch accelerometers, and a software framework for data analysis that does not require advanced mathematical or computing skills. The utility of the method was tested in a sequential cohort of patients with predominant postural and action tremor presenting to a specialized surgical clinic with the presumptive diagnosis of Essential Tremor (ET). Methods Wristwatch accelerometry was integrated with a standardized clinical exam. A MATLAB application was developed for automated data analysis and graphical representation of tremor. Measures from the power spectrum of acceleration of tremor in different upper limb postures were derived in 25 consecutive patients. The linear results from accelerometry were correlated with the commonly used non-linear Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST). Results The acceleration power spectrum was reliably produced in all consecutive patients. Tremor frequency was stable in different postures and across patients. Both total and peak power of acceleration during postural conditions correlated well with the CRST. The standardized clinical examination with integrated accelerometry measures was therefore effective at characterizing tremor in a population with predominant postural and action tremor. The protocol is also illustrated on repeated measures in an ET patient who underwent Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound thalamotomy. Conclusion Quantitative assessment of tremor as a continuous variable using wristwatch accelerometry is readily applicable as a clinical tool when integrated with a standardized clinical exam and a user-friendly software framework for analysis. The method is validated for patients with predominant postural and action tremor, and can be adopted for characterizing tremor of different etiologies with dissemination in a wide variety of clinical and research contexts in ageing populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Gauthier-Lafreniere
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Meshal Aljassar
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vladimir V. Rymar
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - John Milton
- W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont Colleges, Claremont, CA, United States
| | - Abbas F. Sadikot
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Abbas F. Sadikot,
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Pandey S. Is essential tremor a family of diseases or a syndrome? A syndrome. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 163:31-59. [PMID: 35750367 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In a consensus statement, a task force of the "International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society" (IPMDS) has recently proposed a two axes classification for tremor: axis I (clinical manifestations) and axis II (etiology). In the axis, I, the clinical features of tremor in a given patient are specified in terms of medical history, tremor characteristics, associated signs, and laboratory tests for some tremors leading to the discovery of axis 2 etiologies. Based on axis I sign and symptoms a specific clinical syndrome is diagnosed which have been categorized as isolated tremor syndrome (a syndrome consisting only of tremor) and combined tremor syndrome (consisting of tremor and other systemic or neurological signs). The IPMDS task force defined essential tremor as an isolated tremor syndrome of bilateral upper limb action tremor of at least 3years duration with or without a tremor in other locations (e.g., head, voice or lower limbs) in absence of other neurological signs, such as dystonia, ataxia, or parkinsonism. Patients with neurological signs of uncertain significance (such as impaired tandem gait, questionable dystonic posturing, or memory impairment) are classified as essential tremor plus. In this paper, the author will make the argument that essential tremor is a syndrome with multiple causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Pandey
- Department of Neurology, Govind Ballabh Pant Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, New Delhi, India.
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Parkinsonism and tremor syndromes. J Neurol Sci 2021; 433:120018. [PMID: 34686357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.120018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Tremor, the most common movement disorder, may occur in isolation or may co-exist with a variety of other neurologic and movement disorders including parkinsonism, dystonia, and ataxia. When associated with Parkinson's disease, tremor may be present at rest or as an action tremor overlapping in phenomenology with essential tremor. Essential tremor may be associated not only with parkinsonism but other neurological disorders, suggesting the possibility of essential tremor subtypes. Besides Parkinson's disease, tremor can be an important feature of other parkinsonian disorders, such as atypical parkinsonism and drug-induced parkinsonism. In addition, tremor can be a prominent feature in patients with other movement disorders such as fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, and Wilson's disease in which parkinsonian features may be present. This article is part of the Special Issue "Parkinsonism across the spectrum of movement disorders and beyond" edited by Joseph Jankovic, Daniel D. Truong and Matteo Bologna.
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Zheng SY, Li HX, Xu RC, Miao WT, Dai MY, Ding ST, Liu HD. Potential roles of gut microbiota and microbial metabolites in Parkinson's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 69:101347. [PMID: 33905953 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complicated neurodegenerative disease attributed to multifactorial changes. However, its pathological mechanism remains undetermined. Accumulating evidence has revealed the emerging functions of gut microbiota and microbial metabolites, which can affect both the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Accordingly, intestinal dysbiosis might be closely associated with PD. This review explores alterations to gut microbiota, correlations with clinical manifestations of PD, and briefly probes the underlying mechanisms. Next, the highly controversial roles of microbial metabolites including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), H2 and H2S are discussed. Finally, the pros and cons of the current treatments for PD, including those targeting microbiota, are assessed. Advancements in research techniques, further studies on levels of specific strains and longitudinal prospective clinical trials are urgently needed for the identification of early diagnostic markers and the development of novel therapeutic approaches for PD.
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Evolving resting head tremor in parkinsonism: Clinicopathological study of a case. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2021; 86:1-4. [PMID: 33780872 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Resting limb tremor (RLT) is a well known feature in parkinsonism. There is very little information on resting head tremor (RHT) in parkinsonism, and none in pathologically confirmed cases. The association between RLT and RHT remains uncertain. METHODS A Caucasian male developed upper limb tremor and voice changes at age 70. He was first assessed at our clinic at age 72. At age 73 he developed resting head tremor (RHT) which prevented him from falling asleep. His status was documented in longitudinal follow-up at our clinic. He had a total of 14 clinical evaluations and four videos made over 6 years. Autopsy of the brain and spinal cord was performed. RESULTS The resting head tremor improved on antiparkinsonian drugs and resolved completely after four years. Coincident with RHT remission, the upper limb tremor worsened and interfered with feeding, and his lower limb resting tremor became more pronounced. During his course he developed slow, scanning speech and all the cardinal motor findings of parkinsonism. There was no ophthalmoplegia. Post-mortem neuropathological examination revealed prominent progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) changes and minor Lewy body pathology. CONCLUSION This is the first autopsy confirmed case of parkinsonism with RHT. He had dual pathology. Dissociation between RHT and RLT indicates that the oscillatory brain centers for the two were different in this case.
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Bologna M, Paparella G, Colella D, Cannavacciuolo A, Angelini L, Alunni‐Fegatelli D, Guerra A, Berardelli A. Is there evidence of bradykinesia in essential tremor? Eur J Neurol 2020; 27:1501-1509. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.14312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Bologna
- Department of Human Neurosciences Sapienza University of Rome RomeItaly
- IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli (IS)Italy
| | | | - D. Colella
- Department of Human Neurosciences Sapienza University of Rome RomeItaly
| | - A. Cannavacciuolo
- Department of Human Neurosciences Sapienza University of Rome RomeItaly
| | - L. Angelini
- Department of Human Neurosciences Sapienza University of Rome RomeItaly
| | - D. Alunni‐Fegatelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Disease Sapienza University of Rome Rome Italy
| | | | - A. Berardelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences Sapienza University of Rome RomeItaly
- IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli (IS)Italy
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Amlang CJ, Trujillo Diaz D, Louis ED. Essential Tremor as a "Waste Basket" Diagnosis: Diagnosing Essential Tremor Remains a Challenge. Front Neurol 2020; 11:172. [PMID: 32269548 PMCID: PMC7109309 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The diagnosis of essential tremor (ET) remains a clinical one, and diagnostic errors are common. We aimed to (1) determine precisely how frequently ET diagnoses are misapplied (i.e., what percentage of patients who have been assigned an “ET” diagnosis actually have another movement disorder), (2) determine which other movement disorders are most often misclassified as “ET,” and (3) examine the clinical features that were most associated with diagnostic errors. Methods: One hundred four consecutive patients were included who met the following criteria: (1) initial outpatient evaluation by one of the authors (EDL) between January 2015 and December 2019 and (2) pre-evaluation diagnosis of ET. Data on an extensive number of clinical features were extracted from the electronic medical record. Results: Forty-seven (45.2%) patients received a post-evaluation diagnosis of ET, 29 (27.9%) of dystonia, and 28 (26.9%) of other diagnoses including Parkinson's disease (PD) [6 (5.8%)]. Factors associated with an alternative post-evaluation diagnosis other than ET were pre-evaluation diagnosis made by a non-neurologist, shorter tremor duration, irregular tremor, abnormal limb postures, among others. Discussion: Diagnosing ET remains a challenge, with the diagnosis being over-applied and being used as a “waste basket.” More than one-half of the patients who were referred to our clinic with an intake diagnosis of ET were given an alternative post-evaluation diagnosis. While PD was reported to be the most frequently missed diagnosis in a past study, dystonia was most commonly missed in our study. Several clinical features can help to differentiate ET from other tremor disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Amlang
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Daniel Trujillo Diaz
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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Essential tremor-plus: a temporary label. Lancet Neurol 2019; 19:202-203. [PMID: 31767342 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(19)30442-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Rajput AH, Rajput EF, Bocking SM, Auer RN, Rajput A. Reply to: Parkinsonism in essential tremor cases: A clinicopathological study-were they really essential tremor? Mov Disord 2019; 34:1750. [PMID: 31743513 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ali H Rajput
- Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program, University of Saskatchewan/Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Emma F Rajput
- Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program, University of Saskatchewan/Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Sarah M Bocking
- Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program, University of Saskatchewan/Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Roland N Auer
- Department of Pathology, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Alex Rajput
- Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program, University of Saskatchewan/Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Mulroy E, Latorre A, Bhatia KP. Parkinsonism in essential tremor cases: A clinicopathological study—were they really essential tremor? Mov Disord 2019; 34:1749. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.27835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eoin Mulroy
- 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
| | - Kailash P. Bhatia
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology London UK
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Neuropathology and pathogenesis of extrapyramidal movement disorders: a critical update. II. Hyperkinetic disorders. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:997-1027. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02030-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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