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Li L, Chen H, Deng L, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Luo Y, Ou P, Shi L, Dai L, Chen W, Chen H, Wang J, Liu C. Imbalanced optimal feedback motor control system in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Eur J Neurol 2024:e16368. [PMID: 38923784 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Human motor planning and control depend highly on optimal feedback control systems, such as the neocortex-cerebellum circuit. Here, diffusion tensor imaging was used to verify the disruption of the neocortex-cerebellum circuit in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), and the circuit's disruption correlation with SCA3 motor dysfunction was investigated. METHODS This study included 45 patients with familial SCA3, aged 17-67 years, and 49 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, aged 21-64 years. Tract-based spatial statistics and probabilistic tractography was conducted using magnetic resonance images of the patients and controls. The correlation between the local probability of probabilistic tractography traced from the cerebellum and clinical symptoms measured using specified symptom scales was also calculated. RESULTS The cerebellum-originated probabilistic tractography analysis showed that structural connectivity, mainly in the subcortical cerebellar-thalamo-cortical tract, was significantly reduced and the cortico-ponto-cerebellar tract was significantly stronger in the SCA3 group than in the control group. The enhanced tract was extended to the right lateral parietal region and the right primary motor cortex. The enhanced neocortex-cerebellum connections were highly associated with disease progression, including duration and symptomatic deterioration. Tractography probabilities from the cerebellar to parietal and sensorimotor areas were significantly negatively correlated with motor abilities in patients with SCA3. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this study is the first to reveal that disrupting the neocortex-cerebellum loop can cause SCA3-induced motor dysfunctions. The specific interaction between the cerebellar-thalamo-cortical and cortico-ponto-cerebellar pathways in patients with SCA3 and its relationship with ataxia symptoms provides a new direction for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leinian Li
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- School of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Hui Chen
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - LiHua Deng
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - YongHua Huang
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - YuHan Zhang
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - YueYuan Luo
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - PeiLing Ou
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - LinFeng Shi
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - LiMeng Dai
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Basic Medical Science, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- MR Research Collaboration Team, Siemens Healthineers Ltd., Wuhan, China
| | - HuaFu Chen
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuro Information, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Wang
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Chen Liu
- 7T Magnetic Resonance Translational Medicine Research Center, Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
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2
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Manto M, Adamaszek M, Apps R, Carlson E, Guarque-Chabrera J, Heleven E, Kakei S, Khodakhah K, Kuo SH, Lin CYR, Joshua M, Miquel M, Mitoma H, Larry N, Péron JA, Pickford J, Schutter DJLG, Singh MK, Tan T, Tanaka H, Tsai P, Van Overwalle F, Yamashiro K. Consensus Paper: Cerebellum and Reward. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024:10.1007/s12311-024-01702-0. [PMID: 38769243 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-024-01702-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Cerebellum is a key-structure for the modulation of motor, cognitive, social and affective functions, contributing to automatic behaviours through interactions with the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and spinal cord. The predictive mechanisms used by the cerebellum cover not only sensorimotor functions but also reward-related tasks. Cerebellar circuits appear to encode temporal difference error and reward prediction error. From a chemical standpoint, cerebellar catecholamines modulate the rate of cerebellar-based cognitive learning, and mediate cerebellar contributions during complex behaviours. Reward processing and its associated emotions are tuned by the cerebellum which operates as a controller of adaptive homeostatic processes based on interoceptive and exteroceptive inputs. Lobules VI-VII/areas of the vermis are candidate regions for the cortico-subcortical signaling pathways associated with loss aversion and reward sensitivity, together with other nodes of the limbic circuitry. There is growing evidence that the cerebellum works as a hub of regional dysconnectivity across all mood states and that mental disorders involve the cerebellar circuitry, including mood and addiction disorders, and impaired eating behaviors where the cerebellum might be involved in longer time scales of prediction as compared to motor operations. Cerebellar patients exhibit aberrant social behaviour, showing aberrant impulsivity/compulsivity. The cerebellum is a master-piece of reward mechanisms, together with the striatum, ventral tegmental area (VTA) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Critically, studies on reward processing reinforce our view that a fundamental role of the cerebellum is to construct internal models, perform predictions on the impact of future behaviour and compare what is predicted and what actually occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Manto
- Service de Neurologie, Médiathèque Jean Jacquy, CHU-Charleroi, 6000, Charleroi, Belgium.
- Service Des Neurosciences, Université de Mons, 7000, Mons, Belgium.
- Unité Des Ataxies Cérébelleuses, CHU-Charleroi, Service Des Neurosciences, University of Mons, 7000, Mons, Belgium.
| | - Michael Adamaszek
- Department of Clinical and Cognitive Neurorehabilitation, Klinik Bavaria Kreischa, 01731, Kreischa, Germany
| | - Richard Apps
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Erik Carlson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
| | - Julian Guarque-Chabrera
- Área de Psicobiología, Facultat de Ciències de La Salut, Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castellón de La Plana, Spain
- Dominick Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, 10461, USA
| | - Elien Heleven
- Faculty of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Shinji Kakei
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Jissen Women's University, Tokyo, 191-8510, Japan
| | - Kamran Khodakhah
- Dominick Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, 10461, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Initiative of Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Chi-Ying R Lin
- Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Center, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, 77030 TX, USA
- Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, 77030 TX, USA
| | - Mati Joshua
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Marta Miquel
- Área de Psicobiología, Facultat de Ciències de La Salut, Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castellón de La Plana, Spain
- Dominick Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, 10461, USA
| | - Hiroshi Mitoma
- Department of Medical Education, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan
| | - Noga Larry
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Julie Anne Péron
- Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jasmine Pickford
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Dennis J L G Schutter
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Manpreet K Singh
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, 2230 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Tommy Tan
- Department of Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Hirokazu Tanaka
- Faculty of Information Technology, Tokyo City University, Tokyo, 158-8557, Japan
| | - Peter Tsai
- Department of Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
- Departments of Neuroscience, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Frank Van Overwalle
- Faculty of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kunihiko Yamashiro
- Department of Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
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Lin CYR, Kuo SH, Opal P. Cognitive, Emotional, and Other Non-motor Symptoms of Spinocerebellar Ataxias. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2024; 24:47-54. [PMID: 38270820 PMCID: PMC10922758 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-024-01331-4] [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] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are autosomal dominant degenerative syndromes that present with ataxia and brain stem abnormalities. This review describes the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of SCAs in the context of recent knowledge of the role of the cerebellum in higher intellectual function. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies suggest that patients with spinocerebellar ataxia can display cognitive deficits even early in the disease. These have been given the term cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS). CCAS can be tracked using newly developed rating scales. In addition, patients with spinocerebellar ataxia also display impulsive and compulsive behavior, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. This review stresses the importance of recognizing non-motor symptoms in SCAs. There is a pressing need for novel therapeutic interventions to address these symptoms given their deleterious impact on patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Ying R Lin
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology and Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Puneet Opal
- Davee Department of Neurology and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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Ye ZX, Bi J, Qiu LL, Chen XY, Li MC, Chen XY, Qiu YS, Yuan RY, Yu XT, Huang CY, Cheng B, Lin W, Chen WJ, Hu JP, Fu Y, Wang N, Gan SR. Cognitive impairment associated with cerebellar volume loss in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. J Neurol 2024; 271:918-928. [PMID: 37848650 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12042-0] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many neuroscience and neurology studies have forced a reconsideration of the traditional motor-related scope of cerebellar function, which has now expanded to include various cognitive functions. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3; the most common hereditary ataxia) is neuropathologically characterized by cerebellar atrophy and frequently presents with cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE To characterize cognitive impairment in SCA3 and investigate the cerebellum-cognition associations. METHODS This prospective, cross-sectional cohort study recruited 126 SCA3 patients and 41 healthy control individuals (HCs). Participants underwent a brain 3D T1-weighted images as well as neuropsychological tests. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and region of interest (ROI) approaches were performed on the 3D T1-weighted images. CERES was used to automatically segment cerebellums. Patients were grouped into cognitively impaired (CI) and cognitively preserved (CP), and clinical and MRI parameters were compared. Multivariable regression models were fitted to examine associations between cerebellar microstructural alterations and cognitive domain impairments. RESULTS Compared to HCs, SCA3 patients showed cognitive domain impairments in information processing speed, verbal memory, executive function, and visuospatial perception. Between CI and CP subgroups, the CI subgroup was older and had lower education, as well as higher severity scores. VBM and ROI analyses revealed volume loss in cerebellar bilateral lobule VI, right lobule Crus I, and right lobule IV of the CI subgroup, and all these cerebellar lobules were associated with the above cognitive domain impairments. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate the multiple cognitive domain impairments in SCA3 patients and indicate the responsible cerebellar lobules for the impaired cognitive domain(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Xian Ye
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Jin Bi
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Liang-Liang Qiu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China
| | - Xuan-Yu Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Meng-Cheng Li
- Department of Radiology of First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Yu-Sen Qiu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Ru-Ying Yuan
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Xin-Tong Yu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Chun-Yu Huang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China
| | - Bi Cheng
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Wan-Jin Chen
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China
| | - Jian-Ping Hu
- Department of Radiology of First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Ying Fu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China.
| | - Shi-Rui Gan
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology of First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Neuroscience and Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350212, China.
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Simona K, Veronika M, Zahinoor I, Martin V. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in spinocerebellar ataxias and Friedreich ataxia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 150:105205. [PMID: 37137435 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Apart from its role in motor coordination, the importance of the cerebellum in cognitive and affective processes has been recognized in the past few decades. Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) and Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) are rare neurodegenerative diseases of the cerebellum presenting mainly with a progressive loss of gait and limb coordination, dysarthria, and other motor disturbances, but also a range of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on neuropsychiatric impairment in SCA and FRDA. We discuss the prevalence, clinical features and treatment approaches in the most commonly reported domains of depression, anxiety, apathy, agitation and impulse dyscontrol, and psychosis. Since these symptoms have a considerable impact on patients' quality of life, we argue that further research is mandated to improve the detection and treatment options of neuropsychiatric co-morbidities in ataxia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karamazovova Simona
- Center of Hereditary Ataxias, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matuskova Veronika
- Center of Hereditary Ataxias, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Ismail Zahinoor
- Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Neurosciences, and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine; Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Vyhnalek Martin
- Center of Hereditary Ataxias, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Lima M, Raposo M, Ferreira A, Melo ARV, Pavão S, Medeiros F, Teves L, Gonzalez C, Lemos J, Pires P, Lopes P, Valverde D, Gonzalez J, Kay T, Vasconcelos J. The Homogeneous Azorean Machado-Joseph Disease Cohort: Characterization and Contributions to Advances in Research. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020247. [PMID: 36830784 PMCID: PMC9953730 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)/spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common autosomal dominant ataxia worldwide. MJD is characterized by late-onset progressive cerebellar ataxia associated with variable clinical findings, including pyramidal signs and a dystonic-rigid extrapyramidal syndrome. In the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, the worldwide population cluster for this disorder (prevalence of 39 in 100,000 inhabitants), a cohort of MJD mutation carriers belonging to extensively studied pedigrees has been followed since the late 1990s. Studies of the homogeneous Azorean MJD cohort have been contributing crucial information to the natural history of this disease as well as allowing the identification of novel molecular biomarkers. Moreover, as interventional studies for this globally rare and yet untreatable disease are emerging, this cohort should be even more important for the recruitment of trial participants. In this paper, we profile the Azorean cohort of MJD carriers, constituted at baseline by 20 pre-ataxic carriers and 52 patients, which currently integrates the European spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease Initiative (ESMI), a large European longitudinal MJD cohort. Moreover, we summarize the main studies based on this cohort and highlight the contributions made to advances in MJD research. Knowledge of the profile of the Azorean MJD cohort is not only important in the context of emergent interventional trials but is also pertinent for the implementation of adequate interventional measures, constituting relevant information for Lay Associations and providing data to guide healthcare decision makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Lima
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Mafalda Raposo
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Ferreira
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Rosa Vieira Melo
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Pavão
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Filipa Medeiros
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Luís Teves
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Gonzalez
- Serviço de Psicologia Clínica, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, 9500-370 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - João Lemos
- Unidade de Psicologia Clínica, Hospital do Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, 9700-049 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Paula Pires
- Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital do Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, 9700-049 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Pedro Lopes
- Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, 9500-370 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - David Valverde
- Serviço de Patologia Clínica, Unidade de Saúde da Ilha das Flores, 9500-370 Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal
| | - José Gonzalez
- Augenarztpraxis Petrescu Wuppertal, Department of Ophthalmology, 42389 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Teresa Kay
- Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital D. Estefânia, 1169-045 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Vasconcelos
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Hospital Internacional dos Açores (HIA), 9560-421 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
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