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Deloulme JC, Leclercq M, Deschaux O, Flore G, Capellano L, Tocco C, Braz BY, Studer M, Lahrech H. Structural interhemispheric connectivity defects in mouse models of BBSOAS: Insights from high spatial resolution 3D white matter tractography. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 193:106455. [PMID: 38408685 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106455] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
White matter (WM) tract formation and axonal pathfinding are major processes in brain development allowing to establish precise connections between targeted structures. Disruptions in axon pathfinding and connectivity impairments will lead to neural circuitry abnormalities, often associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Among several neuroimaging methodologies, Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that has the advantage of visualizing in 3D the WM tractography of the whole brain non-invasively. DTI is particularly valuable in unpinning structural tract connectivity defects of neural networks in NDDs. In this study, we used 3D DTI to unveil brain-specific tract defects in two mouse models lacking the Nr2f1 gene, which mutations in patients have been proven to cause an emerging NDD, called Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf Optic Atrophy (BBSOAS). We aimed to investigate the impact of the lack of cortical Nr2f1 function on WM morphometry and tract microstructure quantifications. We found in both mutant mice partial loss of fibers and severe misrouting of the two major cortical commissural tracts, the corpus callosum, and the anterior commissure, as well as the two major hippocampal efferent tracts, the post-commissural fornix, and the ventral hippocampal commissure. DTI tract malformations were supported by 2D histology, 3D fluorescent imaging, and behavioral analyses. We propose that these interhemispheric connectivity impairments are consistent in explaining some cognitive defects described in BBSOAS patients, particularly altered information processing between the two brain hemispheres. Finally, our results highlight 3DDTI as a relevant neuroimaging modality that can provide appropriate morphometric biomarkers for further diagnosis of BBSOAS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Olivier Deschaux
- University Côte d'Azur (UCA), CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose (iBV), Nice, France
| | - Gemma Flore
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Napoli, Italy
| | - Laetitia Capellano
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institute Neurosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Chiara Tocco
- University Côte d'Azur (UCA), CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose (iBV), Nice, France
| | - Barbara Yael Braz
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institute Neurosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Michèle Studer
- University Côte d'Azur (UCA), CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose (iBV), Nice, France.
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Wang Y, Zhang Y, Ma C, Wang R, Guo Z, Shen Y, Wang M, Meng H. Neonatal White Matter Damage Analysis Using DTI Super-Resolution and Multi-Modality Image Registration. Int J Neural Syst 2024; 34:2450001. [PMID: 37982259 DOI: 10.1142/s0129065724500011] [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: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Punctate White Matter Damage (PWMD) is a common neonatal brain disease, which can easily cause neurological disorder and strongly affect life quality in terms of neuromotor and cognitive performance. Especially, at the neonatal stage, the best cure time can be easily missed because PWMD is not conducive to the diagnosis based on current existing methods. The lesion of PWMD is relatively straightforward on T1-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (T1 MRI), showing semi-oval, cluster or linear high signals. Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Image (DT-MRI, referred to as DTI) is a noninvasive technique that can be used to study brain microstructures in vivo, and provide information on movement and cognition-related nerve fiber tracts. Therefore, a new method was proposed to use T1 MRI combined with DTI for better neonatal PWMD analysis based on DTI super-resolution and multi-modality image registration. First, after preprocessing, neonatal DTI super-resolution was performed with the three times B-spline interpolation algorithm based on the Log-Euclidean space to improve DTIs' resolution to fit the T1 MRIs and facilitate nerve fiber tractography. Second, the symmetric diffeomorphic registration algorithm and inverse b0 image were selected for multi-modality image registration of DTI and T1 MRI. Finally, the 3D lesion models were combined with fiber tractography results to analyze and predict the degree of PWMD lesions affecting fiber tracts. Extensive experiments demonstrated the effectiveness and super performance of our proposed method. This streamlined technique can play an essential auxiliary role in diagnosing and treating neonatal PWMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- School of Electronics and Information, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 1 Dongxiang Road, Chang'an District, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710129, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- School of Electronics and Information, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 1 Dongxiang Road, Chang'an District, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710129, P. R. China
| | - Chi Ma
- School of Electronics and Information, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 1 Dongxiang Road, Chang'an District, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710129, P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- School of Electronics and Information, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 1 Dongxiang Road, Chang'an District, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710129, P. R. China
| | - Zhe Guo
- School of Electronics and Information, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 1 Dongxiang Road, Chang'an District, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710129, P. R. China
| | - Yu Shen
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Province No. 7 Weiwu, Henan 450000, P. R. China
| | - Miaomiao Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710000, P. R. China
| | - Hongying Meng
- College of Engineering, Brunel University, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex, London, UB8 3PH, UK
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