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Peng Z, Duggan MR, Dark HE, Daya GN, An Y, Davatzikos C, Erus G, Lewis A, Moghekar AR, Walker KA. Association of liver disease with brain volume loss, cognitive decline, and plasma neurodegenerative disease biomarkers. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 120:34-42. [PMID: 36115133 PMCID: PMC9685609 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although liver dysfunction has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD), it remains unknown how liver disease may influence the trajectory of brain and cognitive changes in older adults. We related self-reported liver disease to longitudinal measures of brain structure and cognition, as well as baseline measures of plasma AD/neurodegeneration biomarkers in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Liver disease was identified using ICD-9 classification codes. Brain volume and cognition were assessed serially using 3T-MRI and a cognitive battery. 1008, 2157, and 780 participants were included in the MRI, cognitive, and plasma biomarker analysis, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, liver disease was associated with accelerated decline in total brain and white matter volume, but not total gray matter or AD signature region volume. Although liver disease showed no relationship with domain-specific cognitive decline or plasma biomarkers, participants with a history of hepatitis demonstrated accelerated decline in verbal fluency and elevated neurofilament light. Results suggest all-cause liver disease may accelerate brain volume loss but does not appear to promote AD-specific neurocognitive changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongsheng Peng
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael R Duggan
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heather E Dark
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gulzar N Daya
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yang An
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christos Davatzikos
- Section of Biomedical Image Analysis, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guray Erus
- Section of Biomedical Image Analysis, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexandria Lewis
- Deparment of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Abhay R Moghekar
- Deparment of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Keenan A Walker
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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2
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Zhu L, Zhang W, Chen L, Ren Y, Cao Y, Sun T, Sun B, Liu J, Wang J, Zheng C. Brain Gray Matter Alterations in Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Voxel-Based Meta-Analysis of Whole-Brain Studies. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:838666. [PMID: 35517986 PMCID: PMC9062230 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.838666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies on voxel-based morphometry (VBM) have found that there were gray matter alterations in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). However, the reported results were inconsistent and lack a quantitative review. Therefore, this study aims for a quantitative meta-analysis of VBM analysis on patients with HE. Methods The studies in our meta-analysis were collected from Pubmed, Web of Science, and Embase, which were published from January 1947 to October 2021. The seed-based d mapping (SDM) method was applied to quantitatively estimate the regional gray matter abnormalities in patients with HE. A meta-regression analysis was applied to evaluate the relationship between plasma ammonia and gray matter alteration. Results There were nine studies, with sixteen datasets consisting of 333 participants with HE and 429 healthy controls. The pooled and subgroup meta-analyses showed an increase in gray matter volume (GMV) in the bilateral thalamus and the calcarine fissure but a decrease in the GMV in the bilateral insula, the basal ganglia, the anterior cingulate gyrus, and the cerebellum. The meta-regression showed that plasma ammonia was positively associated with the GMV in the left thalamus but was negatively associated with the GMV in the cerebellum and the bilateral striatum. Conclusion Gray matter volume in patients with HE largely varied and could be affected by plasma ammonia. The findings of this study could help us to better understand the pathophysiology of cognitive dysfunction in patients with HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Licheng Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihua Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanqiao Ren
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanyan Cao
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
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Ahmad S, Ali H, Ikram S, Sarfraz S, Yousaf A. Spontaneous Bilateral Subdural Hematomas in a Patient With Cryptogenic Liver Cirrhosis. Cureus 2021; 13:e16100. [PMID: 34345569 PMCID: PMC8325620 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous subdural hematoma (SDH) in cirrhotic patients is a rarely described condition in the literature and carries a high mortality rate. Several factors can potentially contribute to SDH development in cirrhosis, including coagulation cascade defects, thrombocytopenia, arteriovenous malformations, and cerebral atrophy. Clinicians should always keep spontaneous development of SDH in the differential diagnosis of acute encephalopathy in patients with end-stage liver disease, and prompt head imaging should be considered. We report a unique case of a 64-year-old patient with cryptogenic liver cirrhosis who was found to have spontaneous, bilateral SDHs while undergoing workup for acute encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soban Ahmad
- Internal Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, USA
| | - Hassam Ali
- Internal Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, USA
| | - Sundus Ikram
- Internal Medicine, SEGi University, Petaling Jaya, MYS
| | - Shiza Sarfraz
- Anesthesiology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Quaid-E-Azam Medical University, Bahawalpur, PAK
| | - Amman Yousaf
- Internal Medicine, McLaren Health Care, Flint, USA
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Chen J, Liu S, Wang C, Zhang C, Cai H, Zhang M, Si L, Zhang S, Xu Y, Zhu J, Yu Y. Associations of Serum Liver Function Markers With Brain Structure, Function, and Perfusion in Healthy Young Adults. Front Neurol 2021; 12:606094. [PMID: 33716920 PMCID: PMC7947675 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.606094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Previous neuroimaging studies have demonstrated brain abnormalities in patients with hepatic diseases. However, the identified liver-brain associations are largely limited to disease-affected populations, and the nature and extent of such relations in healthy subjects remain unclear. We hypothesized that serum liver function markers within a normal level would affect brain properties. Method: One hundred fifty-seven healthy young adults underwent structural, resting-state functional, and arterial spin labeling MRI scans. Gray matter volume (GMV), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) analyses were performed to assess brain structure, function, and perfusion, respectively. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected to measure serum liver function markers. Correlation analyses were conducted to test potential associations between liver function markers and brain imaging parameters. Results: First, serum proteins showed relations to brain structure characterized by higher albumin associated with increased GMV in the parahippocampal gyrus and amygdala and lower globulin and a higher albumin/globulin ratio with increased GMV in the olfactory cortex and parahippocampal gyrus. Second, serum bilirubin was linked to brain function characterized by higher bilirubin associated with increased ReHo in the precuneus, middle cingulate gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, and supramarginal gyrus and decreased ReHo in the caudate nucleus. Third, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) was related to brain perfusion characterized by higher ALT associated with increased CBF in the superior frontal gyrus and decreased CBF in the middle occipital gyrus, angular gyrus, precuneus, and middle temporal gyrus. More importantly, we found that CBF in the superior frontal gyrus was a significant mediator of the association between serum ALT level and working memory performance. Conclusion: These findings may not only expand existing knowledge about the relationship between the liver and the brain but also have clinical implications for studying brain impairments secondary to liver diseases as well as providing potential neural targets for their diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyao Chen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chunli Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Cun Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Huanhuan Cai
- Medical Imaging Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Si
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanhong Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jiajia Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yongqiang Yu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Roy B, Vacas S, Ehlert L, McCloy K, Saggar R, Kumar R. Brain Structural Changes in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. J Neuroimaging 2021; 31:524-531. [PMID: 33565204 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12840] [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: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) frequently present with anxiety, depression, autonomic, and cognitive deterioration, which may indicate brain changes in regions that control these functions. However, the precise regional brain-injury in sites that regulate cognitive, autonomic, and mood functions in PAH remains unclear. We examined the shifts in regional gray matter (GM) volume, using high-resolution T1-weighted images, and brain tissue alterations, using T2-relaxometry procedures, in PAH compared to healthy subjects. METHODS We collected two high-resolution T1-weighted series, and proton-density and T2-weighted images using a 3.0-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner from 9 PAH and 19 healthy subjects. Both high-resolution T1-weighted images were realigned and averaged, partitioned to GM tissue type, normalized to a common space, and smoothed. Using proton-density and T2-weighted images, T2-relaxation maps were calculated, normalized to a common space, and smoothed. Whole-brain GM volume and T2-relaxation maps were compared between PAH and controls using analysis of covariance (covariates, age, sex, and total-brain-volume; false discover rate corrections). RESULTS Significantly decreased GM volumes, indicating tissue injury, emerged in multiple brain regions, including the hippocampus, insula, cerebellum, parahippocampus, temporal, frontal, and occipital gyri, cingulate, amygdala, and thalamus. Higher T2-relaxation values, suggesting tissue damage, appeared in the cerebellum, hippocampus, parahippocampus, frontal, lingual, and temporal and occipital gyri, and cingulate areas in PAH compared to healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS PAH patients showed significant GM injury and brain tissue changes in sites that regulate cognition, autonomic, and mood functions. These findings indicate a brain structural basis for functional deficits in PAH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaswati Roy
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Susana Vacas
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Luke Ehlert
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kathy McCloy
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Rajan Saggar
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.,Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.,Department of Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
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6
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Luo S, Zhou ZM, Guo DJ, Li CM, Liu H, Wu XJ, Liang S, Zhao XY, Chen T, Sun D, Shi XL, Zhong WJ, Zhang W. Radiomics-based classification models for HBV-related cirrhotic patients with covert hepatic encephalopathy. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e01970. [PMID: 33236529 PMCID: PMC7882152 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The significant abnormalities of precuneus (PC), which are associated with brain dysfunction, have been identified in cirrhotic patients with covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE). The present study aimed to apply radiomics analysis to identify the significant radiomic features in PC and their subregions, combine with clinical risk factors, then build and evaluate the classification models for CHE diagnosis. METHODS 106 HBV-related cirrhotic patients (54 had current CHE and 52 had non-CHE) underwent the three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging. For each participant, PC and their subregions were segmented and extracted a large number of radiomic features and then identified the features with significant discriminative power as the radiomics signature. The logistic regression analysis was employed to develop and evaluate the classification models, which are constructed using the radiomics signature and clinical risk factors. RESULTS The classification model (R-C model) achieved best diagnostic performance, which incorporated radiomics signature (4 radiomic features from right PC), venous blood ammonia, and the Child-Pugh stage. And the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values were 0.926, 1.000, 0.765, and 0.848, in the testing set. Application of the radiomics nomogram in the testing set still showed a good predictive accuracy. CONCLUSIONS This study presented the radiomic features of the right PC, as a potential image marker of CHE. The radiomics nomogram that incorporates the radiomics signature and clinical risk factors may facilitate the individualized prediction of CHE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Luo
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Da-Jing Guo
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuan-Ming Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huan Liu
- GE Healthcare Life Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Jia Wu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhao
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dong Sun
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin-Lin Shi
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei-Jia Zhong
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Reduced Cortical Complexity in Cirrhotic Patients with Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:7364649. [PMID: 32256557 PMCID: PMC7104259 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7364649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Gray matter volume loss, regional cortical thinning, and local gyrification index alteration have been documented in minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Fractal dimension (FD), another morphological parameter, has been widely used to describe structural complexity alterations in neurological or psychiatric disease. Here, we conducted the first study to investigate FD alterations in MHE. Methods and Materials We performed high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging on cirrhotic patients with MHE (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 21). We evaluated their cognitive performance using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES). The regional FD value was calculated by Computational Anatomy Toolbox (CAT12) and compared between groups. We further estimated the association between patients' cognitive performance and FD values. Results MHE patients presented significantly decreased FD values in the left precuneus, left supramarginal gyrus, right caudal anterior cingulate cortex, right isthmus cingulate cortex, right insula, bilateral pericalcarine cortex, and bilateral paracentral cortex compared to normal controls. In addition, the FD values in the right isthmus cingulate cortex and right insula were shown to be positively correlated with patients' cognitive performance. Conclusion Aberrant cortical complexity is an additional characteristic of MHE, and FD analysis may provide novel insight into the neurobiological basis of cognitive dysfunction in MHE.
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Chen QF, Zou TX, Yang ZT, Chen HJ. Identification of patients with and without minimal hepatic encephalopathy based on gray matter volumetry using a support vector machine learning algorithm. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2490. [PMID: 32051514 PMCID: PMC7016173 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59433-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is characterized by diffuse abnormalities in cerebral structure, such as reduced cortical thickness and altered brain parenchymal volume. This study tested the potential of gray matter (GM) volumetry to differentiate between cirrhotic patients with and without MHE using a support vector machine (SVM) learning method. High-resolution, T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were acquired from 24 cirrhotic patients with MHE and 29 cirrhotic patients without MHE (NHE). Voxel-based morphometry was conducted to evaluate the GM volume (GMV) for each subject. An SVM classifier was employed to explore the ability of the GMV measurement to diagnose MHE, and the leave-one-out cross-validation method was used to assess classification accuracy. The SVM algorithm based on GM volumetry achieved a classification accuracy of 83.02%, with a sensitivity of 83.33% and a specificity of 82.76%. The majority of the most discriminative GMVs were located in the bilateral frontal lobe, bilateral lentiform nucleus, bilateral thalamus, bilateral sensorimotor areas, bilateral visual regions, bilateral temporal lobe, bilateral cerebellum, left inferior parietal lobe, and right precuneus/posterior cingulate gyrus. Our results suggest that SVM analysis based on GM volumetry has the potential to help diagnose MHE in cirrhotic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Feng Chen
- College of Computer and Information Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Tian-Xiu Zou
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China
| | - Zhe-Ting Yang
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China
| | - Hua-Jun Chen
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China.
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9
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Atypical neuroimaging findings in patients with acquired hepatocerebral degeneration. Neurol Sci 2019; 41:175-181. [PMID: 31494818 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-04068-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acquired hepatocerebral degeneration (AHD) is now widely recognized by physicians. Although hyperintensity in the bilateral globus pallidus in T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRIs) are characteristic neuroimaging findings, accumulating reports indicate that atypical neuroimaging findings are not rare. This study aimed to describe the spectrum of atypical neuroimaging findings and related factors in patients with AHD. METHODS From February 2017 to January 2019, a retrospective study was conducted of 28 patients with AHD in the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. The neurological manifestations, clinical parameters, and biochemical and neuroimaging findings were analyzed. RESULTS Among 28 patients, 14 patients were diagnosed with viral hepatitis-caused hepatocirrhosis, which was the most common cause of AHD. Resting tremor, cognitive impairment, and parkinsonian gait were the most common neurologic symptoms. Bilateral globus pallidus T1-weighted hyperintensity was detected in 26 patients (26/28, 92.9%). Ten patients (10/28, 35.7%) were determined to have an atypical neuroimaging finding. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that age at onset of neurologic symptoms (odds ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.61; p = 0.030) and Child-Pugh scores (odds ratio = 2.52, 95% CI, 1.01-6.31; p = 0.048) were independently associated with atypical neuroimaging findings in AHD. CONCLUSION The clinical manifestations of AHD are diverse; resting tremor, cognitive impairment, and parkinsonian gait were the most common. More than one third of patients had atypical neuroimaging findings. Age at onset of neurologic symptoms and Child-Pugh scores may be important predictors of atypical neuroimaging findings in patients with AHD.
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Amirsardari Z, Rahmani F, Rezaei N. Cognitive impairments in HCV infection: From pathogenesis to neuroimaging. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2019; 41:987-1000. [PMID: 31405320 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2019.1652728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, in particular cognitive impairments, can be present in the absence of clinical liver dysfunction. Executive memory, attention, and concentration are cognitive domains that are most frequently affected. Microstructural and functional changes in cortical gray matter and basal ganglia associate these neuropsychiatric changes in early HCV infection. No study has covered the relationship between imaging features of HCV-related cognitive impairment and HCV pathology. Herein we summarize evidence suggesting a direct pathology of HCV in microglia, astrocytes, and microvascular endothelial cells, and a neuroinflammatory response in HCV-related cognitive decline. Lipoproteins and their receptors mediate HCV infectivity in the central nervous system and confer susceptibility to HCV-related cognitive decline. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy has revealed changes compatible with reactive gliosis and microglial activation in basal ganglia, frontal and occipital white matter, in the absence of cirrhosis or hepatic encephalopathy. Similarly, diffusion imaging shows evidence of structural disintegrity in the axonal fibers of white matter tracts associated with temporal and frontal cortices. We also discuss the cognitive benefits and side-effects of the two most popular therapeutic protocols interferon-based therapy and interferon-free therapy using direct acting anti-virals. Evidences support a network-based pattern of disruption in functional connectivity in HCV patients and a common neuronal substrate for HCV-related and interferon-therapy-associated cognitive decline. These evidences might help identify patients who benefit from either interferon-based or interferon-free treatment regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Amirsardari
- Student's Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.,NeuroImaging Network (NIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) , Tehran , Iran
| | - Farzaneh Rahmani
- Student's Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.,NeuroImaging Network (NIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) , Tehran , Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- NeuroImaging Network (NIN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) , Tehran , Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
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11
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Wang M, Cui J, Liu Y, Zhou Y, Wang H, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Nguchu BA, Qiu B, Wang X, Yu Y. Structural and functional abnormalities of vision-related brain regions in cirrhotic patients: a MRI study. Neuroradiology 2019; 61:695-702. [PMID: 30949745 PMCID: PMC6511351 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-019-02199-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Previous studies have focused on global cerebral alterations observed in cirrhosis. However, little was known about the specific abnormalities of vision-related brain regions in cirrhotic patients. In this study, we sought to explore neurological alterations of vision-related regions by measuring brain resting-state network connectivity, based on the structural investigation in cirrhotic patients without clinical sign of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Methods Structural and functional magnetic resonance image (MRI) data were collected from 20 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhotic patients without clinical sign of HE and from 20 healthy controls (HC). Voxel-based morphometric (VBM) analysis and brain functional network analysis were performed to detect abnormalities in cerebral structure and function. Results Cirrhotic patients showed regions with the most significant gray matter reduction primarily in vision-related brain regions, including the bilateral lingual gyri, left putamen, right fusiform gyrus, and right calcarine gyrus, and other significant gray matter reductions were distributed in bilateral hippocampus. Based on structural investigation focused on vision-related regions, brain functional network analysis revealed decreased functional connectivity between brain functional networks within vision-related regions (primary visual network (PVN), higher visual network (HVN), visuospatial network (VSN)) in the patient group compared with HC group. Conclusion These results indicate that structural and functional impairment were evident in the vision-related brain regions in cirrhotic patients without clinical sign of hepatic encephalopathy. The physiopathology and clinical relevance of these changes could not be ascertained from the present study, which provided a basis for further evolution of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingquan Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of AnHui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Jin Cui
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yanpeng Liu
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yawen Zhou
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Huijuan Wang
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yanming Wang
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuying Zhu
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | | | - Bensheng Qiu
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yongqiang Yu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of AnHui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China.
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12
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Zou TX, She L, Zhan C, Gao YQ, Chen HJ. Altered Topological Properties of Gray Matter Structural Covariance Networks in Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy. Front Neuroanat 2018; 12:101. [PMID: 30555305 PMCID: PMC6281039 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2018.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Liver cirrhosis commonly induces brain structural impairments that are associated with neurological complications (e.g., minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE)), but the topological characteristics of the brain structural network are still less well understood in cirrhotic patients with MHE. This study aimed to conduct the first investigation on the topological alterations of brain structural covariance networks in MHE. Methods: This study included 22 healthy controls (HCs) and 22 cirrhotic patients with MHE. We calculated the gray matter volume of 90 brain regions using an automated anatomical labeling (AAL) template, followed by construction of gray matter structural covariance networks by thresholding interregional structural correlation matrices as well as graph theoretical analysis. Results: MHE patients showed abnormal small-world properties of the brain structural covariance network, i.e., decreased clustering coefficient and characteristic path length and lower small-worldness parameters, which indicated a tendency toward more random architecture. In addition, MHE patients lost hubs in the prefrontal and parietal regions, although they had new hubs in the temporal and occipital regions. Compared to HC, MHE patients had decreased regional degree/betweenness involving several regions, primarily the prefrontal and parietal lobes, motor region, insula and thalamus. In addition, the MHE group also showed increased degree/betweenness in the occipital lobe and hippocampus. Conclusion: These results suggest that MHE leads to altered coordination patterns of gray matter morphology and provide structural evidence supporting the idea that MHE is a neurological complication related to disrupted neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Xiu Zou
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lilan She
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chuanyin Zhan
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yong-Qing Gao
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Radiology, Fuqing City Hospital, Fuqing, China
| | - Hua-Jun Chen
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
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13
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Zhang XD, Zhang LJ. Multimodal MR imaging in hepatic encephalopathy: state of the art. Metab Brain Dis 2018; 33:661-671. [PMID: 29374342 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neurological or neuropsychological complication due to liver failure or portosystemic shunting. The clinical manifestation is highly variable, which can exhibit mild cognitive or motor impairment initially, or gradually progress to a coma, even death, without treatment. Neuroimaging plays a critical role in uncovering the neural mechanism of HE. In particular, multimodality MR imaging is able to assess both structural and functional derangements of the brain with HE in focal or neural network perspectives. In recent years, there has been rapid development in novel MR technologies and applications to investigate the pathophysiological mechanism of HE. Therefore, it is necessary to update the latest MR findings regarding HE by use of multimodality MRI to refine and deepen our understanding of the neural traits in HE. Herein, this review highlights the latest MR imaging findings in HE to refresh our understanding of MRI application in HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Dong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Clinical School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, People's Republic of China
| | - Long Jiang Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, No. 305 Zhongshan East Road, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Zahr NM. The Aging Brain With HIV Infection: Effects of Alcoholism or Hepatitis C Comorbidity. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:56. [PMID: 29623036 PMCID: PMC5874324 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
As successfully treated individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected age, cognitive and health challenges of normal aging ensue, burdened by HIV, treatment side effects, and high prevalence comorbidities, notably, Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In 2013, people over 55 years old accounted for 26% of the estimated number of people living with HIV (~1.2 million). The aging brain is increasingly vulnerable to endogenous and exogenous insult which, coupled with HIV infection and comorbid risk factors, can lead to additive or synergistic effects on cognitive and motor function. This paper reviews the literature on neuropsychological and in vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) evaluation of the aging HIV brain, while also considering the effects of comorbidity for AUD and HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M Zahr
- Neuroscience Program, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
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15
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Lin YT, Cheng YK, Lin CL, Wang IK. Increased risk of subdural hematoma in patients with liver cirrhosis. QJM 2017; 110:815-820. [PMID: 29025006 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcx167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subdural hematoma (SDH) is associated with a high mortality rate. The risk of SDH in cirrhotic patients has not been well studied. AIM The aim of the study was to examine the risk of SDH in cirrhotic patients. DESIGN A retrospective study from a universal insurance claims database of Taiwan. METHODS A cohort of 9455 liver cirrhotic patients from 2000 to 2011 and an age-and sex-matched control cohort of 35992 subjects without cirrhosis were identified. The severity of liver cirrhosis was classified into uncomplicated and complicated according to presence of complications or not. The incidence and hazard ratio of SDH were measured by the end of 2011. RESULTS The mean follow-up years were 4.34 ± 3.45 years in the cirrhosis cohort and 6.36 ± 3.28 years in the non-cirrhosis cohort. The incidence of SDH was 2.73-fold higher in the cirrhosis cohort than in the control cohort (29.3 vs. 10.9 per 10 000 person-years), with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.73 (95% CI = 2.19-3.42), 2.42 (95% CI = 1.89-3.08), and 5.07 (95% CI = 3.38-7.60) in the all liver cirrhosis, the uncomplicated liver cirrhosis, and the complicated liver cirrhosis patients compared to the control cohort. The adjusted hazard ratios were 2.65 (95% CI = 2.06-3.41) for traumatic SDH and 3.09 (95% CI 1.91-5.02) for non-traumatic SDH in liver cirrhosis patients, compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that patients with cirrhosis are at higher risk of both traumatic and non-traumatic SDH than individuals without cirrhosis. The risk increases further in patients with complicated liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-T Lin
- From the Department of Emergency Medicine
| | | | - C-L Lin
- Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - I-K Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, China medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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16
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Diabetes Mellitus is Associated with More Severe Brain Spontaneous Activity Impairment and Gray Matter Loss in Patients with Cirrhosis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7775. [PMID: 28798299 PMCID: PMC5552886 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies showed many cirrhosis patients may have diabetes mellitus (DM), however, the effect of DM on brain in cirrhotic patients is unclear. This study included 34 cirrhosis patients (17 with DM, 17 without DM) and 17 age-, sex-matched healthy controls. MRI examination and neuropsychological tests were performed. Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and voxel-based morphometry algorithms were used to obtain fALFF values and gray matter volume, which were compared and correlated with clinical variables. In cirrhosis patients with and without DM, fALFF values were decreased in the left postcentral gyrus, right precentral gyrus, left supramarginal gyrus, bilateral lingual gyri and occipital lobe, while increased in the left orbital frontal gyrus. Gray matter volume was decreased in bilateral caudates and putamen, while increased in bilateral thalami. Compared with non-DM cirrhosis patients, DM cirrhosis patients showed decreased fALFF values in bilateral caudates and decreased gray matter volume in bilateral thalami. The blood glucose levels of cirrhosis patients showed negative correlations with fALFF values in bilateral caudates and gray matter volume in bilateral thalami. In conclusion, DM aggravates brain damage in cirrhosis patients. Thus, it is important to pay more attention to the management of DM in cirrhotic patients.
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17
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Kharabian Masouleh S, Herzig S, Klose L, Roggenhofer E, Tenckhoff H, Kaiser T, Thöne-Otto A, Wiese M, Berg T, Schroeter ML, Margulies DS, Villringer A. Functional connectivity alterations in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection: A multimodal MRI study. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24:216-225. [PMID: 27813284 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with fatigue and depression. Cognitive impairments are also reported in a smaller number of HCV-positive patients. Recent studies linked HCV to low-grade inflammation in brain. Here, we test the hypothesis that chronic HCV is associated with 3T-neuroimaging-derived grey matter volume (GMV) and functional connectivity alterations in a sample of chronic HCV (1b), without severe liver disease. Regional GMV and resting-state fMRI-derived eigenvector centrality (EC) were compared between 19 HCV-positive patients and 23 healthy controls (all females, 50-69 and 52-64 years, respectively), controlling for white matter hyperintensities and age. Standard tests were used to assess fatigue, depression and cognitive performance. Also, liver fibrosis stage and viral load were quantified among patients. In comparison with controls, HCV-positive patients had higher scores in fatigue and depression, and worse alertness scores. The groups performed similarly in other cognitive domains. We report higher EC in a cluster in the right anterior superior parietal lobule in patients, while no differences are found in GMV. Post hoc functional connectivity analysis showed increased connectivity of this cluster with primary and secondary somatosensory cortex, and temporal and occipital lobes in patients. Higher mean EC in the superior parietal cluster, adjusted for mean framewise displacement, was associated with better memory and attention performance, but not with fatigue, depression, viral load or level of liver fibrosis, among patients. These results suggest a compensatory mechanism in chronic hepatitis C and explain equivocal results in the literature about cognitive deficits in infected persons. Further studies should define the relation of these connectivity changes to the brain's inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kharabian Masouleh
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - S Herzig
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - L Klose
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - E Roggenhofer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.,LREN, Department for Clinical Neurosciences, CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - H Tenckhoff
- Section of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - T Kaiser
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - A Thöne-Otto
- Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - M Wiese
- Section of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - T Berg
- Section of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - M L Schroeter
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.,Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - D S Margulies
- Max Planck Research Group for Neuroanatomy and Connectivity, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - A Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.,Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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18
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Shin HW, Park HK. Recent Updates on Acquired Hepatocerebral Degeneration. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2017; 7:463. [PMID: 28975044 PMCID: PMC5623760 DOI: 10.7916/d8tb1k44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acquired hepatocerebral degeneration (AHD) refers to a chronic neurological syndrome in patients with advanced hepatobiliary diseases. This comprehensive review focuses on the pathomechanism and neuroimaging findings in AHD. METHODS A PubMed search was performed using the terms "acquired hepatocerebral degeneration," "chronic hepatocerebral degeneration," "Non-Wilsonian hepatocerebral degeneration," "cirrhosis-related parkinsonism," and "manganese and liver disease." RESULTS Multiple mechanisms involving the accumulation of toxic substances such as ammonia or manganese and neuroinflammation may lead to widespread neurodegeneration in AHD. Clinical characteristics include movement disorders, mainly parkinsonism and ataxia-plus syndrome, as well as cognitive impairment with psychiatric features. Neuroimaging studies of AHD with parkinsonism show hyperintensity in the bilateral globus pallidus on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images, whereas molecular imaging of the presynaptic dopaminergic system shows variable findings. Ataxia-plus syndrome in AHD may demonstrate high-signal lesions in the middle cerebellar peduncles on T2-weighted images. DISCUSSION Future studies are needed to elucidate the exact pathomechanism and neuroimaging findings of this heterogeneous syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae-Won Shin
- Department of Neurology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hee Kyung Park
- Department of Neurology, Inje University Ilsan-Paik Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
- Movement Disorder Center, Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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19
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Montes S, Castro-Chávez A, Florian-Soto C, Heras-Romero Y, Ríos C, Rivera-Mancía S. Bumetanide increases manganese accumulation in the brain of rats with liver damage. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 774:127-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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20
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Iwasa M, Takei Y. Pathophysiology and management of hepatic encephalopathy 2014 update: Ammonia toxicity and hyponatremia. Hepatol Res 2015; 45:1155-62. [PMID: 25604571 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hyperammonemia is a major factor involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Ammonia elicits astrocyte swelling and causes brain edema. In addition, hyponatremia, a condition frequently observed in hepatic cirrhosis, also exacerbates brain edema, potentially becoming a factor that exacerbates HE. Therefore, as a treatment strategy for HE, alleviating ammonia toxicity is essential. In addition to restricting protein intake, synthetic disaccharides such as lactulose and lactitol, probiotics that improve gut flora, and rifaximin, an antibiotic with poor bioavailability, are also administrated. Additionally, branched-chain amino acids and carnitine have also been administrated. Moreover, we investigated the current trend in the concomitant use of drugs with different mechanisms of action. In Japan, the V2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan can be administrated to hepatic cirrhosis patients with fluid retention. This drug is also useful as a countermeasure for hyponatremia in hepatic cirrhosis, and elucidating its effects in HE patients may therefore become an agenda in the future. These observations indicate that ammonia toxicity, gut flora control and low sodium control are major focuses in HE improvement and long-term prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yoshiyuki Takei
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan
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21
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Yadav SK, Gupta RK, Saraswat VA, Rangan M, Thomas MA, Rutella S, Danese S, Wang E, Marincola FM, Haris M. Reduced cortical thickness in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure due to non-alcoholic etiology. J Transl Med 2015; 13:322. [PMID: 26444271 PMCID: PMC4596551 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0679-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a form of liver disease with high short-term mortality. ACLF offers considerable potential to affect the cortical areas by significant tissue injury due to loss of neurons
and other supporting cells. We measured changes in cortical thickness and metabolites profile in ACLF patients following treatment, and compared it with those of age matched healthy volunteers. Methods For the cortical thickness analysis we performed whole brain high resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on 15 ACLF and 10 healthy volunteers at 3T clinical MR scanner. Proton MR Spectroscopy (1H MRS) was also performed to measure level of altered metabolites. Out of 15 ACLF patients 10 survived and underwent follow-up study after clinical recovery at 3 weeks. FreeSurfer program was used to quantify cortical thickness and LC- Model software was used to quantify absolute metabolites concentrations. Neuropsychological (NP) test was performed to assess the cognitive performance in follow-up ACLF patients compared to controls. Results Significantly reduced cortical thicknesses in multiple brain sites, and significantly decreased N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), myo-inositol (mI) and significantly increased glutamate/glutamine (glx) metabolites were observed in ACLF compared to those of controls at baseline study. Follow-up patients showed significant recovery in cortical thickness and Glx level, while NAA and mI were partially recovered compared to baseline study. When compared to controls, follow-up patients still showed reduced cortical thickness and altered metabolites level. Follow-up patients had abnormal neuropsychological (NP) scores compared to controls. Conclusions Neuronal loss as suggested by the reduced NAA, decreased cellular density due to increased cerebral hyperammonemia as supported by the increased glx level, and increased proinflammatory cytokines and free radicals may account for the reduced cortical thickness in ACLF patients. Presence of reduced cortical thickness, altered metabolites and abnormal NP test scores in post recovery subjects as compared to those of controls is associated with incomplete clinical recovery. The current imaging protocol can be easily implemented in clinical settings to evaluate and monitor brain tissue changes in patients with ACLF during the course of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh K Yadav
- Research Branch, Sidra Medical and Research Center, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Rakesh K Gupta
- Department of Radiology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.
| | - Vivek A Saraswat
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India.
| | - Murali Rangan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India.
| | - Michael A Thomas
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
| | - Sergio Rutella
- Research Branch, Sidra Medical and Research Center, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Silvio Danese
- Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy.
| | - Ena Wang
- Research Branch, Sidra Medical and Research Center, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
| | | | - Mohammad Haris
- Research Branch, Sidra Medical and Research Center, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
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22
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Wu X, Lv XF, Zhang YL, Wu HW, Cai PQ, Qiu YW, Zhang XL, Jiang GH. Cortical signature of patients with HBV-related cirrhosis without overt hepatic encephalopathy: a morphometric analysis. Front Neuroanat 2015; 9:82. [PMID: 26106307 PMCID: PMC4458689 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2015.00082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis (HBV-RC) without overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) are associated with a varying degree of cognitive dysfunction. Several resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have been conducted to explore the neural correlates of such cognitive deficits, whereas little effort has been made to investigate the cortical integrity in cirrhotic patients without OHE. Here, using cortical thickness, surface area and local gyrification index (lGI), this study performed a comprehensive analysis on the cortical morphometry of patients with HBV-RC without OHE (HBV-RC-NOHE) vs. matched healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, we found significantly increased cortical thickness in the bilateral lingual and parahippocampal gyrus, right posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, peri-calcarine sulcus and fusiform gyrus in patient with HBV-RC-NOHE, which may closely relate to be the low-grade brain edema. Cortical gyrification analysis showed significantly increased lGI in the left superior and inferior parietal cortex as well as lateral occipital cortex, which was speculated to be associated with disruptions in white matter connectivity and sub-optimal intra-cortical organization. In addition, the mean cortical thickness/lGI of the regions with structural abnormalities was shown to be negatively correlated with psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) of the patients with HBV-RC-NOHE. These morphological changes may serve as potential markers for the preclinical diagnosis and progression of HBV-RC-NOHE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Wu
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Chengdu, China ; Department of Medical Imaging, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Lv
- Department of Medical Imaging, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Ling Zhang
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Chengdu, China
| | - Hua-Wang Wu
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Chengdu, China ; Department of Medical imaging, Guangzhou Brain Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei-Qiang Cai
- Department of Medical Imaging, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Wei Qiu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Lin Zhang
- Medical Imaging Centre, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medial University Guangzhou, China
| | - Gui-Hua Jiang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital Guangzhou, China
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23
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Lv XF, Liu K, Qiu YW, Cai PQ, Li J, Jiang GH, Deng YJ, Zhang XL, Wu PH, Xie CM, Wen G. Anomalous gray matter structural networks in patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis without overt hepatic encephalopathy. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119339. [PMID: 25786256 PMCID: PMC4364769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Increasing evidence suggests that cirrhosis may affect the connectivity among different brain regions in patients before overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) occurs. However, there has been no study investigating the structural reorganization of these altered connections at the network level. The primary focus of this study was to investigate the abnormal topological organization of the structural network in patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis (HBV-RC) without OHE using structural MRI. Methods Using graph theoretical analysis, we compared the global and regional topological properties of gray matter structural networks between 28 patients with HBV-RC without OHE and 30 age-, sex- and education-matched healthy controls. The structural correlation networks were constructed for the two groups based on measures of gray matter volume. Results The brain network of the HBV-RC group exhibited a significant decrease in the clustering coefficient and reduced small-worldness at the global level across a range of network densities. Regionally, brain areas with altered nodal degree/betweenness centrality were observed predominantly in association cortices (frontal and temporal regions) (p < 0.05, uncorrected), including a significantly decreased nodal degree in the inferior temporal gyrus (p < 0.001, uncorrected). Furthermore, the HBV-RC group exhibited a loss of association hubs and the emergence of an increased number of non-association hubs compared with the healthy controls. Conclusion The results of this large-scale gray matter structural network study suggest reduced topological organization efficiency in patients with HBV-RC without OHE. Our findings provide new insight concerning the mechanisms of neurobiological reorganization in the HBV-RC brain from a network perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fei Lv
- Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Liu
- Medical Imaging Centre, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medial University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying-Wei Qiu
- Department of medical imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, People's Republic of China
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei-Qiang Cai
- Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Li
- Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Gui-Hua Jiang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Jia Deng
- Medical Imaging Centre, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medial University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xue-Lin Zhang
- Medical Imaging Centre, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medial University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pei-Hong Wu
- Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuan-Miao Xie
- Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (CMX); (GW)
| | - Ge Wen
- Medical Imaging Centre, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medial University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (CMX); (GW)
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Chavarria L, Cordoba J. Magnetic resonance of the brain in chronic and acute liver failure. Metab Brain Dis 2014; 29:937-44. [PMID: 24254992 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-013-9452-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Brain alterations such as hepatic encephalopathy or brain edema are usually associated with liver failure. The mechanisms that lead to the generation of edema seem to be different depending on the course of liver failure (acute, chronic or acute-on-chronic liver failure). Several neuroimaging methods allow a non-invasive assessment of brain alterations in liver failure. Magnetic resonance has gained more interest due to the ability of giving information about cerebral metabolism using spectroscopy, water distribution by diffusion methods or neuronal connectivity by means of resting state magnetic resonance. These techniques have been applied to experimental models and patients with liver failure to elucidate cerebral pathways involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. In the future, the development of new magnetic resonance implementations will generate handy tools for the study of the brain and get better understanding of the mechanisms that take place in liver failure. This could be useful for the early diagnosis, as well as for the design of new treatments for cerebral complications of liver failure.
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Persistence of cognitive impairment after resolution of overt hepatic encephalopathy. Am J Gastroenterol 2014; 109:1011-9. [PMID: 24777152 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2014.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) represents a spectrum of neurocognitive impairment seen in cirrhotic patients and is considered to be fully reversible with treatment; however, recent evidence suggests otherwise. This longitudinal study was carried out to evaluate the persistence of cognitive impairment in cirrhotics with prior overt HE (OHE) episode despite treatment. METHODS Of the 213 patients screened, 107 patients who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled and 102 patients completed the study (52 patients without prior OHE episode and 50 patients with prior OHE). All patients underwent psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) evaluation at three separate visits (day 1, day 3, and between 30 and 60 days). A one-point improvement in PHES between the first and second evaluation was considered as a measure of learning. RESULTS Patients with a previous OHE episode showed learning impairment in PHES on repetition on day 3 (P=0.084), whereas patients without a previous OHE episode demonstrated learning effect (P<0.0001) irrespective of whether they had minimal HE (MHE) or not. Univariate analysis demonstrated that Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, lactulose and/or rifaximin therapy, the presence of MHE, and a previous OHE episode were associated with learning impairment. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only the presence of a previous episode of OHE (adjusted odds ratio 38.398; 95% confidence interval 9.192-160.4; P<0.0001) significantly affected learning. CONCLUSIONS This study conclusively demonstrated learning impairment in cirrhotic patients with a previous episode of OHE despite normal mental status. Improvement in PHES on repetition may be a measure of learning.
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Qi R, Zhang LJ, Zhong J, Zhu T, Zhang Z, Xu C, Zheng G, Lu GM. Grey and white matter abnormalities in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a study combining voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics. Eur Radiol 2013; 23:3370-8. [PMID: 23839169 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-013-2963-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2013] [Revised: 06/09/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Low-grade cerebral oedema is considered to be pathognomonic of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in cirrhotic patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate both the grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) changes in a homogeneous cohort of patients with MHE by combining voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). METHODS Twenty-five MHE patients and 25 healthy controls participated in the study with three-dimensional T1 and diffusion-tensor imaging. Group differences in regional GM volume were assessed using VBM analysis while differences in fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) of WM were compared using TBSS analysis. RESULTS VBM displayed extensively decreased GM volume in MHE, mainly located in the frontal and temporal cortices, paracentral lobule, caudate, putamen and amygdale, and increased GM volume in the thalamus. TBSS showed decreased FA in MHE patients in the corpus callosum, cingulum, internal/external capsule, corticospinal tract, superior longitudinal fasciculus and posterior corona radiata. Areas of increased MD in MHE patients were more extensive and included, in addition to all the areas of decreased FA, the anterior corona radiata, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, fornix and the middle cerebellar peduncle. CONCLUSION The results suggest that cortical atrophy and low-grade brain oedema in WM co-exist in MHE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongfeng Qi
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medical College, Nanjing University, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210002, China
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