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Gromadzka G, Czerwińska J, Krzemińska E, Przybyłkowski A, Litwin T. Wilson's Disease-Crossroads of Genetics, Inflammation and Immunity/Autoimmunity: Clinical and Molecular Issues. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9034. [PMID: 39201720 PMCID: PMC11354778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25169034] [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: 07/19/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Wilson's disease (WD) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism caused by pathogenic mutations in the ATP7B gene. Cellular copper overload is associated with impaired iron metabolism. Oxidative stress, cuproptosis, and ferroptosis are involved in cell death in WD. The clinical picture of WD is variable. Hepatic/neuropsychiatric/other symptoms may manifest in childhood/adulthood and even old age. It has been shown that phenotypic variability may be determined by the type of ATP7B genetic variants as well as the influence of various genetic/epigenetic, environmental, and lifestyle modifiers. In 1976, immunological abnormalities were first described in patients with WD. These included an increase in IgG and IgM levels and a decrease in the percentage of T lymphocytes, as well as a weakening of their bactericidal effect. Over the following years, it was shown that there is a bidirectional relationship between copper and inflammation. Changes in serum cytokine concentrations and the relationship between cytokine gene variants and the clinical course of the disease have been described in WD patients, as well as in animal models of this disease. Data have also been published on the occurrence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies, and anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies, as well as various autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), myasthenic syndrome, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis (MS), polyarthritis, and psoriasis after treatment with d-penicillamine (DPA). The occurrence of autoantibodies was also described, the presence of which was not related to the type of treatment or the form of the disease (hepatic vs. neuropsychiatric). The mechanisms responsible for the occurrence of autoantibodies in patients with WD are not known. It has also not been clarified whether they have clinical significance. In some patients, WD was differentiated or coexisted with an autoimmune disease, including autoimmune hepatitis or multiple sclerosis. Various molecular mechanisms may be responsible for immunological abnormalities and/or the inflammatory processes in WD. Their better understanding may be important for explaining the reasons for the diversity of symptoms and the varied course and response to therapy, as well as for the development of new treatment regimens for WD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grażyna Gromadzka
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Wóycickiego Street 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Julia Czerwińska
- Students Scientific Association “Immunis”, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Dewajtis Street 5, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Krzemińska
- Students Scientific Association “Immunis”, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Dewajtis Street 5, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Przybyłkowski
- Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Litwin
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego Street 9, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland;
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Litwin T, Rędzia-Ogrodnik B, Antos A, Przybyłkowski A, Członkowska A, Bembenek JP. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Wilson's Disease-Significance and Practical Aspects-A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2024; 14:727. [PMID: 39061467 PMCID: PMC11274939 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14070727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Wilson's disease (WD) is a genetic disorder of copper metabolism with pathological copper accumulation in many organs, resulting in clinical symptoms, mostly hepatic and neuropsychiatric. As copper accumulates in the brain during WD, and almost 50% of WD patients at diagnosis present with neurological symptoms, neuroimaging studies (especially brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) are part of WD diagnosis. The classical sequences (T1, T2, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) were used to describe brain MRI; however, with the development of neuroradiology, several papers proposed the use of new MRI sequences and techniques like susceptibility-weighted images, T2*, diffusion MRI, tractography, volumetric assessment and post-processing brain MRI analysis of paramagnetic accumulation-quantitative susceptibility mapping. Based on these neuroradiological data in WD, currently, brain MRI semiquantitative scale and the pathognomonic neuroradiological brain MRI signs in WD were proposed. Further, the volumetric studies and brain iron accumulation MRI analysis suggested brain atrophy and iron accumulation as biomarkers of neurological WD disease severity. All these results highlight the significance of brain MRI examinations in WD. Due to the extreme progress of these studies, based on the available literature, the authors present the current state of knowledge about the significance, practical aspects, and future directions of brain MRI in WD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Litwin
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland; (B.R.-O.); (A.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Barbara Rędzia-Ogrodnik
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland; (B.R.-O.); (A.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Agnieszka Antos
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland; (B.R.-O.); (A.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Adam Przybyłkowski
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medical University, Warsaw 02-097, Poland;
| | - Anna Członkowska
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland; (B.R.-O.); (A.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Jan Paweł Bembenek
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland;
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Gromadzka G, Wilkaniec A, Tarnacka B, Hadrian K, Bendykowska M, Przybyłkowski A, Litwin T. The Role of Glia in Wilson's Disease: Clinical, Neuroimaging, Neuropathological and Molecular Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7545. [PMID: 39062788 PMCID: PMC11276698 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147545] [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: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Wilson's disease (WD) is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and is caused by pathogenic variants of the ATP7B gene, which are responsible for impaired copper transport in the cell, inhibition of copper binding to apoceruloplasmin, and biliary excretion. This leads to the accumulation of copper in the tissues. Copper accumulation in the CNS leads to the neurological and psychiatric symptoms of WD. Abnormalities of copper metabolism in WD are associated with impaired iron metabolism. Both of these elements are redox active and may contribute to neuropathology. It has long been assumed that among parenchymal cells, astrocytes have the greatest impact on copper and iron homeostasis in the brain. Capillary endothelial cells are separated from the neuropil by astrocyte terminal legs, putting astrocytes in an ideal position to regulate the transport of iron and copper to other brain cells and protect them if metals breach the blood-brain barrier. Astrocytes are responsible for, among other things, maintaining extracellular ion homeostasis, modulating synaptic transmission and plasticity, obtaining metabolites, and protecting the brain against oxidative stress and toxins. However, excess copper and/or iron causes an increase in the number of astrocytes and their morphological changes observed in neuropathological studies, as well as a loss of the copper/iron storage function leading to macromolecule peroxidation and neuronal loss through apoptosis, autophagy, or cuproptosis/ferroptosis. The molecular mechanisms explaining the possible role of glia in copper- and iron-induced neurodegeneration in WD are largely understood from studies of neuropathology in Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the mechanisms of glial involvement in neuroprotection/neurotoxicity is important for explaining the pathomechanisms of neuronal death in WD and, in the future, perhaps for developing more effective diagnostic/treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grażyna Gromadzka
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Wilkaniec
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego St., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Tarnacka
- Department of Rehabilitation, Medical University of Warsaw, Spartańska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Hadrian
- Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland (A.P.)
| | - Maria Bendykowska
- Students Scientific Association “Immunis”, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Dewajtis 5, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Przybyłkowski
- Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland (A.P.)
| | - Tomasz Litwin
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
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Moura J, Pinto C, Freixo P, Alves H, Ramos C, Santos Silva E, Nery F, Gandara J, Lopes V, Ferreira S, Presa J, Ferreira JM, Miranda HP, Magalhães M. Correlation between neuroimaging, neurological phenotype, and functional outcomes in Wilson's disease. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:3201-3208. [PMID: 38291197 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07371-5] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Wilson's disease (WD) is associated with a variety of movement disorders and progressive neurological dysfunction. The aim of this study was to correlate baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features with clinical phenotype and long-term outcomes in chronically treated WD patients. METHODS Patients were retrospectively selected from an institutional database. Two experienced neuroradiologists reviewed baseline brain MRI. Functional assessment was performed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) scale, and disease severity was classified using the Global Assessment Scale for Wilson's Disease (GASWD). RESULTS Of 27 patients selected, 14 were female (51.9%), with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age at onset of 19.5 (7.1) years. Neurological symptoms developed in 22 patients (81.5%), with hyperkinetic symptoms being the most common (70.4%). Baseline brain MRI showed abnormal findings in 18 cases (66.7%), including T2 hyperintensities in 59.3% and atrophy in 29.6%. After a mean (SD) follow-up of 20.9 (11.0) years, WD patients had a mean score of 19.2 (10.2) on WHODAS 2.0 and 6.4 (5.7) on GASWD. The presence of hyperkinetic symptoms correlated with putaminal T2 hyperintensities (p = 0.003), putaminal T2 hypointensities (p = 0.009), and mesencephalic T2 hyperintensities (p = 0.009). Increased functional disability was associated with brain atrophy (p = 0.007), diffusion abnormalities (p = 0.013), and burden of T2 hyperintensities (p = 0.002). A stepwise regression model identified atrophy as a predictor of increased WHODAS 2.0 (p = 0.023) and GASWD (p = 0.007) scores. CONCLUSIONS Atrophy and, to a lesser extent, deep T2 hyperintensity are associated with functional disability and disease severity in long-term follow-up of WD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Moura
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Largo Do Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Catarina Pinto
- Department of Neuroradiology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Freixo
- Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos, Porto, Portugal
| | - Helder Alves
- Porto Institute of Social Work (ISSSP), Porto, Portugal
- INESC TEC, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Ramos
- Department of Neuroradiology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ermelinda Santos Silva
- Department of Paediatric Gastrenterology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipe Nery
- Department of Hepatic and Pancreatic Transplantation, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
| | - Judit Gandara
- Department of Hepatic and Pancreatic Transplantation, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vitor Lopes
- Department of Hepatic and Pancreatic Transplantation, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia Ferreira
- Department of Hepatic and Pancreatic Transplantation, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Presa
- Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-Os-Montes E Alto Douro, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Manuel Ferreira
- Department of Gastrenterology, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-Os-Montes E Alto Douro, Porto, Portugal
| | - Helena Pessegueiro Miranda
- Department of Hepatic and Pancreatic Transplantation, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marina Magalhães
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Largo Do Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001, Porto, Portugal
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Wang A, Dong T, Wei T, Wu H, Yang Y, Ding Y, Li C, Yang W. Large-scale networks changes in Wilson's disease associated with neuropsychiatric impairments: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:805. [PMID: 37924073 PMCID: PMC10623710 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05236-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Wilson's disease (WD) patients, network connections across the brain are disrupted, affecting multidomain function. However, the details of this neuropathophysiological mechanism remain unclear due to the rarity of WD. In this study, we aimed to investigate alterations in brain network connectivity at the whole-brain level (both intra- and inter-network) in WD patients through independent component analysis (ICA) and the relationship between alterations in these brain network functional connections (FCs) and clinical neuropsychiatric features to understand the underlying pathophysiological and central compensatory mechanisms. METHODS Eighty-five patients with WD and age- and sex-matched 85 healthy control (HC) were recruited for resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scanning. We extracted the resting-state networks (RSNs) using the ICA method, analyzed the changes of FC in these networks and the correlation between alterations in FCs and clinical neuropsychiatric features. RESULTS Compared with HC, WD showed widespread lower connectivity within RSNs, involving default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network (FPN), somatomotor network (SMN), dorsal attention network (DAN), especially in patients with abnormal UWDRS scores. Furthermore, the decreased FCs in the left medial prefrontal cortex (L_ MPFC), left anterior cingulate gyrus (L_ACC), precuneus (PCUN)within DMN were negatively correlated with the Unified Wilson's Disease Rating Scale-neurological characteristic examination (UWDRS-N), and the decreased FCs in the L_MPFC, PCUN within DMN were negatively correlated with the Unified Wilson's Disease Rating Scale-psychiatric symptoms examination (UWDRS-P). We additionally discovered that the patients with WD exhibited significantly stronger FC between the FPN and DMN, between the DAN and DMN, and between the FPN and DAN compared to HC. CONCLUSIONS We have provided evidence that WD is a disease with widespread dysfunctional connectivity in resting networks in brain, leading to neurological features and psychiatric symptoms (e.g. higher-order cognitive control and motor control impairments). The alter intra- and inter-network in the brain may be the neural underpinnings for the neuropathological symptoms and the process of injury compensation in WD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqin Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Ting Dong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
- Xin 'an Institute of Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Great Health, Hefei National Science Center, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Xin'An Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
| | - Taohua Wei
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
- Xin 'an Institute of Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Great Health, Hefei National Science Center, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Xin'An Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
| | - Hongli Wu
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, China
| | - Yulong Yang
- Xin 'an Institute of Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Great Health, Hefei National Science Center, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Xin'An Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, China
| | - Yufeng Ding
- Xin 'an Institute of Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Great Health, Hefei National Science Center, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Xin'An Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, Anhui, China
| | - Chuanfu Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.
| | - Wenming Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.
- Xin 'an Institute of Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Great Health, Hefei National Science Center, Hefei, China.
- Key Laboratory of Xin'An Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.
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Wang A, Wei T, Wu H, Yang Y, Ding Y, Wang Y, Zhang C, Yang W. Lesions in White Matter in Wilson's Disease and Correlation with Clinical Characteristics. Can J Neurol Sci 2023; 50:710-718. [PMID: 35959686 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2022.286] [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] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroimaging studies in Wilson's disease (WD) have identified various alterations in white matter (WM) microstructural organization. However, it remains unclear whether these alterations are localized to specific regions of fiber tracts, and what diagnostic value they might have. The purpose of this study is to explore the spatial profile of WM abnormalities along defined fiber tracts in WD and its clinical relevance. METHODS Ninety-nine patients with WD (62 men and 37 women) and 91 age- and sex-matched controls (59 men and 32 women) were recruited to take part in experiments of diffusion-weighted imaging with 64 gradient vectors. The data were calculated by FMRIB Software Library (FSL) software and Automated Fiber Quantification (AFQ) software. After registration, patient groups and normal groups were compared by Mann-Whitney U test analysis. RESULTS Compared with the controls, the patients with WD showed widespread fractional anisotropy reduction and mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity elevation of identified fiber tracts. Significant correlations between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters and the neurological Unified Wilson's Disease Rating Scale (UWDRS-N), serum ceruloplasmin, and 24-h urinary copper excretion were found. CONCLUSIONS The present study has provided evidence that the metrics of DTI could be utilized as a potential biomarker of neuropathological symptoms in WD. Damage to the microstructure of callosum forceps and corticospinal tract may be involved in the pathophysiological process of neurological symptoms in WD patients, such as gait and balance disturbances, involuntary movements, dysphagia, and autonomic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqin Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Taohua Wei
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Hongli Wu
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Yulong Yang
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Yufeng Ding
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Chuanfeng Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Wenming Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
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Wang G, Jin P, Ma X, Hong X, Zhang L, Lin K, Wen X, Bai X, Han Y. Cognitive and gait in Wilson's disease: a cognitive and motor dual-task study. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1243122. [PMID: 37719756 PMCID: PMC10501853 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1243122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cognitive and motor dual-tasks play important roles in daily life. Dual-task interference impacting gait performance has been observed not only in healthy subjects but also in subjects with neurological disorders. Approximately 44-75% of Wilson's disease (WD) patients have gait disturbance. According to our earlier research, 59.7% of WD patients have cognitive impairment. However, there are few studies on how cognition affects the gait in WD. Therefore, this study aims to explore the influence of cognitive impairment on gait and its neural mechanism in WD patients and to provide evidence for the clinical intervention of gait disturbance. Methods We recruited 63 patients who were divided into two groups based on their scores on the Addenbrooke's cognitive examination III (ACE-III) scale: a non-cognitive impairment group and a cognitive impairment group. In addition to performing the timed up and go (TUG) single task and the cognitive and motor dual-task digital calculation and animal naming tests, the Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment (POMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and brain MRI severity scale of WD (bMRIsc-WD) were evaluated. The dual-task cost (DTC) was also computed. Between the two groups, the results of the enhanced POMA, BBS, and bMRIsc-WD scales, as well as gait performance measures such as TUG step size, pace speed, pace frequency, and DTC value, were compared. Results (1) Among the 63 patients with WD, 30 (47.6%) patients had gait disturbance, and the single task TUG time was more than 10 s. A total of 43 patients had cognitive impairment, the incidence rate is 44.4%. Furthermore, 28 (44.4%) patients had cognitive impairment, 39 (61.9%) patients had abnormal brain MRI. (2) The Tinetti gait balance scale and Berg balance scale scores of patients with cognitive impairment were lower than those of patients without cognitive impairment (p < 0.05), and the pace, step size, and pace frequency in the single task TUG were slower than those of patients without cognitive impairment (p < 0.05). There was no change in the pace frequency between the dual-task TUG and the non-cognitive impairment group, but the pace speed and step size in the dual-task TUG were smaller than non-cognitive impairment group (p < 0.05). There was no difference in DTC values between cognitive impairment group and non-cognitive impairment group when performing dt-TUG number calculation and animal naming respectively (p > 0.05). However, regardless of cognitive impairment or not, the DTC2 values of number calculation tasks is higher than DTC1 of animal naming tasks in dt-TUG (p < 0.05). (3) Pace speed and step size were related to the total cognitive score, memory, language fluency, language understanding, and visual space factor score of the ACE-III (p < 0.05), and step frequency was correlated with memory and language comprehension factors (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the attention factor scores of the ACE-III and TUG gait parameters of different tasks (p > 0.05). Brain atrophy, the thalamus, caudate nucleus, and cerebellum were correlated with cognitive impairment (p < 0.05), the lenticular nucleus was related to the step size, brain atrophy was related to the pace speed, and the thalamus, caudate nucleus, and midbrain were involved in step frequency in WD patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion WD patients had a high incidence of cognitive impairment and gait disorder, the pace speed and step size can reflect the cognitive impairment of WD patients, cognitive impairment affects the gait disorder of WD patients, and the different cognitive and motor dual-tasks were involved in affecting gait parameters. The joint participation of cognitive impairment and lesion brain area may be the principal neural mechanism of gait abnormality in WD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongqiang Wang
- Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Ping Jin
- Affiliated Hospital of Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xinfeng Ma
- Affiliated Hospital of Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xia Hong
- Graduate School of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Kang Lin
- Affiliated Hospital of Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao Wen
- Graduate School of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xue Bai
- Graduate School of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yongzhu Han
- Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
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Wang SJ, Geng H, Cheng SR, Xu CC, Zhang RQ, Wang Y, Wu T, Li B, Wang T, Han YS, Ding ZH, Sun YN, Wang X, Han YZ, Cheng N. A weighted cranial diffusion-weighted imaging scale for Wilson's disease. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1186053. [PMID: 37650098 PMCID: PMC10463731 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1186053] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be a crucial tool for the assessment for neurological symptoms in patients with Wilson's disease (WD). Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintensity reflects the acute brain injuries, which mainly occur in specific brain regions. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a weighted cranial DWI scale for patients with WD, with special focus on specific brain regions. Materials and methods In total, 123 patients with WD were enrolled, 118 of whom underwent 1.5 T-MRI on admission. The imaging score was calculated as described previously and depended on the following sequences: one point was acquired when abnormal intensity occurred in the T1, T2, and fluid-attenuation inversion recovery sequences, and two points were acquired when DWI hyperintensity were found. Consensus weighting was conducted based on the symptoms and response to treatment. Results Intra-rater agreement were good (r = 0.855 [0.798-0.897], p < 0.0001). DWI hyperintensity in the putamen was a high-risk factor for deterioration during de-copper therapy (OR = 8.656, p < 0.05). The high-risk factors for readmission for intravenous de-copper therapies were DWI hyperintensity in the midbrain (OR = 3.818, p < 0.05) and the corpus callosum (OR = 2.654, p < 0.05). Both scoring systems had positive correlation with UWDRS scale (original semi-quantitative scoring system, r = 0.35, p < 0.001; consensus semi-quantitative scoring system, r = 0.351, p < 0.001.). Compared to the original scoring system, the consensus scoring system had higher correlations with the occurrence of deterioration (OR = 1.052, 95%CI [1.003, 1.0103], p < 0.05) and readmission for intravenous de-copper therapy (OR = 1.043, 95%CI [1.001, 1.086], p < 0.05). Conclusion The predictive performance of the consensus semi-quantitative scoring system for cranial MRI was improved to guide medication, healthcare management, and prognosis prediction in patients with WD. For every point increase in the neuroimaging score, the risk of exacerbations during treatment increased by 5.2%, and the risk of readmission to the hospital within 6 months increased by 4.3%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-jing Wang
- Graduate School, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
- Hospital Affiliated to the Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Hao Geng
- Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- Department of Biophysics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Si-rui Cheng
- Department of Economics, Nankai University, Tainjin, China
| | - Chen-chen Xu
- Hospital Affiliated to the Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Rui-qi Zhang
- Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- Department of Biophysics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
- Department of Biophysics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Graduate School, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Bo Li
- Hospital Affiliated to the Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Yong-sheng Han
- Hospital Affiliated to the Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Zeng-hui Ding
- Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Yi-ning Sun
- Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China
| | - Xun Wang
- Graduate School, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
- Hospital Affiliated to the Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yong-zhu Han
- Graduate School, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
- Hospital Affiliated to the Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Nan Cheng
- Graduate School, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
- Hospital Affiliated to the Institute of Neurology, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
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9
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Nguyen HH, Swain MG. Avenues within the gut-liver-brain axis linking chronic liver disease and symptoms. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1171253. [PMID: 37521690 PMCID: PMC10372440 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1171253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Symptoms of fatigue, social withdrawal and mood disturbances are commonly encountered in patients with chronic liver disease and have a detrimental effect on patient quality of life. Treatment options for these symptoms are limited and a current area of unmet medical need. In this review, we will evaluate the potential mechanistic avenues within the gut-liver-brain axis that may be altered in the setting of chronic liver disease that drive the development of these symptoms. Both clinical and pre-clinical studies will be highlighted as we discuss how perturbations in host immune response, microbiome, neural responses, and metabolites composition can affect the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry H. Nguyen
- University of Calgary Liver Unit, Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mark G. Swain
- University of Calgary Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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10
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Antos A, Członkowska A, Bembenek J, Skowronska M, Kurkowska-Jastrzębska I, Litwin T. Blood Based Biomarkers of Central Nervous System Involvement in Wilson's Disease. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13091554. [PMID: 37174946 PMCID: PMC10177361 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13091554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Wilson's disease (WD) is an inherited disorder of copper metabolism with clinical symptoms related to pathological copper accumulation, which are mainly hepatic and/or neuropsychiatric. The disease is potentially treatable with pharmacological agents (chelators or zinc salts). As such, key factors for a favorable treatment outcome are early diagnosis and anti-copper treatment initiation as well as appropriate treatment monitoring for safety and efficacy. Despite the generally favorable outcome in most treated patients, almost 10% of the general population of WD patients and about 25% of patients in the group with initial neurological phenotype of disease experience early neurological deterioration. In almost 50% of patients with neurological symptoms, the symptoms persist. A search for new treatment modalities (e.g., gene therapy, molybdenum salts) aims to prevent early neurological deterioration as well as improve treatment outcomes. In addition to evaluating the clinical signs and symptoms of the disease, serum biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment monitoring are very important for WD management. Sensitive serum biomarkers of copper metabolism and liver injury are well described. However, there is a need to establish blood-based biomarkers of central nervous system (CNS) injury to help identify patients at risk of early neurological deterioration and aid in their monitoring. Based on the available literature and studies of WD patients, the authors reviewed serum biomarkers of CNS involvement in WD, as well as their potential clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Antos
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Str., 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Członkowska
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Str., 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Bembenek
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Skowronska
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Str., 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Kurkowska-Jastrzębska
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Str., 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Litwin
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Str., 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
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11
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Rędzia-Ogrodnik B, Członkowska A, Antos A, Bembenek J, Kurkowska-Jastrzębska I, Przybyłkowski A, Skowrońska M, Smoliński Ł, Litwin T. Pathognomonic neuroradiological signs in Wilson's disease - Truth or myth? Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2023; 107:105247. [PMID: 36543734 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2022.105247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Wilson's disease (WD) is a treatable genetic disorder caused by impaired copper metabolism. Early diagnosis and correct anti-copper treatment are crucial for therapeutic success. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used both for diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Several neuroradiological signs have been proposed to be pathognomonic for WD; however, their frequency and significance are not established. The frequency and significance of these brain MRI signs were analyzed in a large cohort of WD patients. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 100 newly diagnosed, treatment-naive WD patients. Brain MRI was performed and the frequency of typical MRI changes was analyzed with demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of WD. RESULTS Potentially pathognomonic brain MRI signs for WD occurred in 24% patients and in 43% (24/55) patients with neurological WD. Signs detected included the "face of the giant panda" in 15% of all patients (27.3% of neurological cases), "miniature panda" in 12% (21.8% of neurological cases), "split thalamus" in 7% (12.7% of neurological cases), and "bright claustrum" and "whorl" signs in 1 patients each. Signs were observed only in patients with neurological symptoms and were significantly associated with early age of onset/diagnosis, more severe neurological presentation and lower ceruloplasmin level (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Potentially brain MRI pathognomonic signs occurred relatively rarely across all patients, most often in patients with early onset and severe neurological symptoms, and this knowledge may improve WD diagnosis. However, as these signs are also found in brain MRI in other disorders, they may not be truly pathognomonic of WD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Członkowska
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Antos
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Bembenek
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Adam Przybyłkowski
- Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Skowrońska
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Łukasz Smoliński
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Litwin
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland.
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12
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Diao SP, Lǚ CX, Huang YQ, Zhou ZH, Liu AQ, Hong MF. Linear structural features of Wilson's disease and its correlation with neurological symptoms. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e31386. [PMID: 36550817 PMCID: PMC9771331 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000031386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
To measure the linear structure of the brain in patients with Wilson's disease (WD) and analyze its correlation with neurological symptoms. A total of 174 patients diagnosed with WD were enrolled. According to the type of clinical presentation, the patients with WD were divided into two groups: neurological (NWD) and hepatic (HWD). Sixty healthy volunteers were assigned to a control group. All patients with WD and healthy controls underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The severity of the neurological symptoms was assessed using the Burke Fahn Marsden Movement subscale (BFM-M). Linear brain measurements were performed using T1-weighted MRI scans of all the patients, and the correlation between these linear indices and BFM-M score was investigated. The Huckman index, third ventricle width, and sulcus width of the NWD group were significantly higher than those of the HWD and control groups (P < .05). The frontal horn index, ventricular index, and lateral ventricular body width index of the NWD group were significantly lower than those of the HWD and control groups (P < .05). The Huckman index and third ventricle width of the HWD group were higher than those of the control group (P < .05), whereas the body width index of the lateral ventricle was lower than that of the control group (P < .05). The BFM-M score correlated with the Huckman index (r = 0.29, P < .05), third ventricle width (r = 0.426, P < .001), and lateral ventricular body width index (r = -0.19, P < .05). This study demonstrated significant changes in the linear structure of patients with WD. Linear brain measurement analysis could be used as a potential method to assess the severity of neurological symptoms in WD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Peng Diao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, College of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Xiao Lǚ
- Department of Neurology, College of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye-Qing Huang
- Department of Neurology, College of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Zhou
- Department of Neurology, College of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ai-Qun Liu
- Department of Neurology, College of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Fan Hong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, College of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ming-Fan Hong, Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, 613 Huangpu Road West, Tianhe, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China (e-mail: )
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13
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Brain microstructural abnormalities in patients with Wilson’s disease: A systematic review of diffusion tenor imaging studies. Brain Imaging Behav 2022; 16:2809-2840. [DOI: 10.1007/s11682-022-00733-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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14
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Ziemssen T, Smolinski L, Członkowska A, Akgun K, Antos A, Bembenek J, Kurkowska-Jastrzębska I, Przybyłkowski A, Skowrońska M, Redzia-Ogrodnik B, Litwin T. Serum neurofilament light chain and initial severity of neurological disease predict the early neurological deterioration in Wilson's disease. Acta Neurol Belg 2022:10.1007/s13760-022-02091-z. [PMID: 36098934 PMCID: PMC9469052 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-022-02091-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background In Wilson’s disease (WD), early neurological deterioration after treatment initiation is associated with poor outcomes; however, data on this phenomenon are limited. Our study analysed the frequency and risk factors of early neurological deterioration in WD. Methods Early neurological deterioration, within 6 months from diagnosis, was defined based on the Unified Wilson’s Disease Rating Scale (UWDRS): any increase in part II or an increase of ≥ 4 in part III. In total, 61 newly diagnosed WD patients were included. UWDRS scores, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scores, copper metabolism parameters, treatment type and serum neuro-filament light chain (sNfL) concentrations at diagnosis were analysed as potential risk factors of early deterioration. Results Early neurological deterioration was observed in 16.3% of all WD patients; all cases of worsening occurred in the neurological phenotype (27.7%). Higher scores were seen in those who deteriorated compared with those who did not for UWDRS part II (4.3 ± 5.0 vs 2.0 ± 5.9; p < 0.05), UWDRS part III (21.5 ± 14.1 vs 9.3 ± 16.4; p < 0.01) and MRI-assessed chronic damage (3.2 ± 1.6 vs 1.4 ± 2.2; p = 0.006); all these variables indicated the initial severity of neurological disease. Pre-treatment sNfL concentrations were significantly higher in patients who deteriorated compared with those who did not (33.2 ± 23.5 vs 27.6 ± 62.7 pg/mL; p < 0.01). In univariate logistic regression amongst all patients, chronic damage MRI scores, UWDRS part III scores and sNfL concentrations predicated early deterioration. In the neurological WD, only sNFL were a significant predictor. In bivariate logistic regression amongst all patients, sNfL remained the only significant predictor of deterioration when corrected for MRI scores. Conclusion sNfL concentrations are a promising biomarker of the risk of early neurological deterioration in WD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tjalf Ziemssen
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus and Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lukasz Smolinski
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Członkowska
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katja Akgun
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus and Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Antos
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Bembenek
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Kurkowska-Jastrzębska
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Przybyłkowski
- Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Skowrońska
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Tomasz Litwin
- Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957, Warsaw, Poland.
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