1
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Siva K, Ponnusamy P, Ramanathan M. Disrupted Brain Network Measures in Parkinson's Disease Patients with Severe Hyposmia and Cognitively Normal Ability. Brain Sci 2024; 14:685. [PMID: 39061425 PMCID: PMC11274763 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14070685] [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: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroscience has revolved around brain structural changes, functional activity, and connectivity alteration in Parkinson's Disease (PD); however, how the network topology organization becomes altered is still unclear, specifically in Parkinson's patients with severe hyposmia. In this study, we have examined the functional network topological alteration in patients affected by Parkinson's Disease with normal cognitive ability (ODN), Parkinson's Disease with severe hyposmia (ODP), and healthy controls (HCs) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) data. We have analyzed brain topological organization using popular graph measures such as network segregation (clustering coefficient, modularity), network integration (participation coefficient, path length), small-worldness, efficiency, centrality, and assortativity. Then, we used a feature ranking approach based on the diagonal adaptation of neighborhood component analysis, aiming to determine a graph measure that is sensitive enough to distinguish between these three different groups. We noted significantly lower segregation and local efficiency and small-worldness in ODP compared to ODN and HCs. On the contrary, we did not find differences in network integration in ODP compared to ODN and HCs, which indicates that the brain network becomes fragmented in ODP. At the brain network level, a progressive increase in the DMN (Default Mode Network) was observed from healthy controls to ODN to ODP, and a continuous decrease in the cingulo-opercular network was observed from healthy controls to ODN to ODP. Further, the feature ranking approach has shown that the whole-brain clustering coefficient and small-worldness are sensitive measures to classify ODP vs. ODN, as well as HCs. Looking at the brain regional network segregation, we have found that the cerebellum and limbic, fronto-parietal, and occipital lobes have higher ODP reductions than ODN and HCs. Our results suggest network topological measures, specifically whole-brain segregation and small-worldness decreases. At the network level, an increase in DMN and a decrease in the cingulo-opercular network could be used as biomarkers to characterize ODN and ODP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Malmathanraj Ramanathan
- Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli 620015, India; (K.S.); (P.P.)
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2
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Novello M, Bosman LWJ, De Zeeuw CI. A Systematic Review of Direct Outputs from the Cerebellum to the Brainstem and Diencephalon in Mammals. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:210-239. [PMID: 36575348 PMCID: PMC10864519 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01499-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellum is involved in many motor, autonomic and cognitive functions, and new tasks that have a cerebellar contribution are discovered on a regular basis. Simultaneously, our insight into the functional compartmentalization of the cerebellum has markedly improved. Additionally, studies on cerebellar output pathways have seen a renaissance due to the development of viral tracing techniques. To create an overview of the current state of our understanding of cerebellar efferents, we undertook a systematic review of all studies on monosynaptic projections from the cerebellum to the brainstem and the diencephalon in mammals. This revealed that important projections from the cerebellum, to the motor nuclei, cerebral cortex, and basal ganglia, are predominantly di- or polysynaptic, rather than monosynaptic. Strikingly, most target areas receive cerebellar input from all three cerebellar nuclei, showing a convergence of cerebellar information at the output level. Overall, there appeared to be a large level of agreement between studies on different species as well as on the use of different types of neural tracers, making the emerging picture of the cerebellar output areas a solid one. Finally, we discuss how this cerebellar output network is affected by a range of diseases and syndromes, with also non-cerebellar diseases having impact on cerebellar output areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuele Novello
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Chris I De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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3
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Chandrasekaran J, Petit E, Park YW, Tezenas du Montcel S, Joers JM, Deelchand DK, Považan M, Banan G, Valabregue R, Ehses P, Faber J, Coupé P, Onyike CU, Barker PB, Schmahmann JD, Ratai EM, Subramony SH, Mareci TH, Bushara KO, Paulson H, Durr A, Klockgether T, Ashizawa T, Lenglet C, Öz G. Clinically Meaningful Magnetic Resonance Endpoints Sensitive to Preataxic Spinocerebellar Ataxia Types 1 and 3. Ann Neurol 2023; 93:686-701. [PMID: 36511514 PMCID: PMC10261544 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to identify magnetic resonance (MR) metrics that are most sensitive to early changes in the brain in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) and type 3 (SCA3) using an advanced multimodal MR imaging (MRI) protocol in the multisite trial setting. METHODS SCA1 or SCA3 mutation carriers and controls (n = 107) underwent MR scanning in the US-European READISCA study to obtain structural, diffusion MRI, and MR spectroscopy data using an advanced protocol at 3T. Morphometric, microstructural, and neurochemical metrics were analyzed blinded to diagnosis and compared between preataxic SCA (n = 11 SCA1, n = 28 SCA3), ataxic SCA (n = 14 SCA1, n = 37 SCA3), and control (n = 17) groups using nonparametric testing accounting for multiple comparisons. MR metrics that were most sensitive to preataxic abnormalities were identified using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. RESULTS Atrophy and microstructural damage in the brainstem and cerebellar peduncles and neurochemical abnormalities in the pons were prominent in both preataxic groups, when patients did not differ from controls clinically. MR metrics were strongly associated with ataxia symptoms, activities of daily living, and estimated ataxia duration. A neurochemical measure was the most sensitive metric to preataxic changes in SCA1 (ROC area under the curve [AUC] = 0.95), and a microstructural metric was the most sensitive metric to preataxic changes in SCA3 (AUC = 0.92). INTERPRETATION Changes in cerebellar afferent and efferent pathways underlie the earliest symptoms of both SCAs. MR metrics collected with a harmonized advanced protocol in the multisite trial setting allow detection of disease effects in individuals before ataxia onset with potential clinical trial utility for subject stratification. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:686-701.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayashree Chandrasekaran
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Emilien Petit
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute, Inserm, INRIA, CNRS, APHP, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Young-Woo Park
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | - James M. Joers
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Dinesh K. Deelchand
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Michal Považan
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Guita Banan
- Norman Fixel Center for Neurological Disorders, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Romain Valabregue
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute, Inserm, INRIA, CNRS, APHP, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Philipp Ehses
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennifer Faber
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Pierrick Coupé
- Laboratoire Bordelais de Recherche en Informatique, Université de Bordeaux, 33405 France
| | - Chiadi U. Onyike
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Peter B. Barker
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jeremy D. Schmahmann
- Ataxia Center, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Eva-Maria Ratai
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02114, USA
| | - S. H. Subramony
- Norman Fixel Center for Neurological Disorders, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Thomas H. Mareci
- Norman Fixel Center for Neurological Disorders, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Khalaf O. Bushara
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Henry Paulson
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Alexandra Durr
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute, Inserm, INRIA, CNRS, APHP, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Thomas Klockgether
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tetsuo Ashizawa
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christophe Lenglet
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Gülin Öz
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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4
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Putka AF, Mato JP, McLoughlin HS. Myelinating Glia: Potential Therapeutic Targets in Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040601. [PMID: 36831268 PMCID: PMC9953858 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Human studies, in combination with animal and cellular models, support glial cells as both major contributors to neurodegenerative diseases and promising therapeutic targets. Among glial cells, oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells are the myelinating glial cells of the central and peripheral nervous system, respectively. In this review, we discuss the contributions of these central and peripheral myelinating glia to the pathomechanisms of polyglutamine (polyQ) spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 17. First, we highlight the function of oligodendrocytes in healthy conditions and how they are disrupted in polyQ SCA patients and diseased model systems. We then cover the role of Schwann cells in peripheral nerve function and repair as well as their possible role in peripheral neuropathy in polyQ SCAs. Finally, we discuss potential polyQ SCA therapeutic interventions in myelinating glial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra F. Putka
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Juan P. Mato
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hayley S. McLoughlin
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence:
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5
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Nigri A, Sarro L, Mongelli A, Castaldo A, Porcu L, Pinardi C, Grisoli M, Ferraro S, Canafoglia L, Visani E, Bruzzone MG, Nanetti L, Taroni F, Mariotti C. Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1: One-Year Longitudinal Study to Identify Clinical and MRI Measures of Disease Progression in Patients and Presymptomatic Carriers. THE CEREBELLUM 2021; 21:133-144. [PMID: 34106418 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant disease usually manifesting in adulthood. We performed a prospective 1-year longitudinal study in 14 presymptomatic mutation carriers (preSCA1), 11 ataxic patients, and 21 healthy controls. SCA1 patients had a median disease duration of 6 years (range 2-16) and SARA score of 7 points (range 3.5-20). PreSCA1 had an estimated time before disease onset of 9.7 years (range 4-30), and no signs of ataxia. At baseline, SCA1 patients significantly differed from controls in SARA score (Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia), cognitive tests, and structural MRI measures. Significant volume loss was found in cerebellum, brainstem, basal ganglia, and cortical thinning in frontal, temporal, and occipital regions. PreSCA1 did not differ from controls. At 1-year follow-up, SCA1 patients showed significant increase in SARA score, and decreased volume of cerebellum (- 0.6%), pons (- 5.5%), superior cerebellar peduncles (- 10.7%), and midbrain (- 3.0%). Signs of disease progression were also observed in preSCA1 subjects, with increased SARA score and reduced total cerebellar volume. Our exploratory study suggests that clinical scores and MRI measures provide valuable data to monitor and quantify the earliest changes associated with the preclinical and the symptomatic phases of SCA1 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nigri
- Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Lidia Sarro
- Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Martini Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessia Mongelli
- Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Castaldo
- Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Porcu
- Methodology for Clinical Research Laboratory, Oncology Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Pinardi
- Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Grisoli
- Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Ferraro
- Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Canafoglia
- Neurophysiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Visani
- Neurophysiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Nanetti
- Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Taroni
- Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Mariotti
- Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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6
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Lin YC, Hsu CCH, Wang PN, Lin CP, Chang LH. The Relationship Between Zebrin Expression and Cerebellar Functions: Insights From Neuroimaging Studies. Front Neurol 2020; 11:315. [PMID: 32390933 PMCID: PMC7189018 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum has long been known to play an important role in motor and balance control, and accumulating evidence has revealed that it is also involved in multiple cognitive functions. However, the evidence from neuroimaging studies and clinical observations is not well-integrated at the anatomical or molecular level. The goal of this review is to summarize and link different aspects of the cerebellum, including molecular patterning, functional topography images, and clinical cerebellar disorders. More specifically, we explored the potential relationships between the cerebrocerebellar connections and the expression of particular molecules and, in particular, zebrin stripe (a Purkinje cell-specific antibody molecular marker, which is a glycolytic enzyme expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells). We hypothesized that the zebrin patterns contribute to cerebellar functional maps—especially when cerebrocerebellar circuit changes exist in cerebellar-related diseases. The zebrin stripe receives input from climbing fibers and project to different parts of the cerebral cortex through its cerebrocerebellar connection. Since zebrin-positive cerebellar Purkinje cells are resistant to excitotoxicity and cell injury while zebrin-negative zones are more prone to damage, we suggest that motor control dysfunction symptoms such as ataxia and dysmetria present earlier and are easier to observe than non-ataxia symptoms due to zebrin-negative cell damage by cerebrocerebellar connections. In summary, we emphasize that the molecular zebrin patterns provide the basis for a new viewpoint from which to investigate cerebellar functions and clinico-neuroanatomic correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Cheng Lin
- Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chin Heather Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ning Wang
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Po Lin
- Institute of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Hung Chang
- Institute of Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Education Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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7
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Abstract
The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) comprise more than 40 autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorders that present principally with progressive ataxia. Within the past few years, studies of pathogenic mechanisms in the SCAs have led to the development of promising therapeutic strategies, especially for SCAs caused by polyglutamine-coding CAG repeats. Nucleotide-based gene-silencing approaches that target the first steps in the pathogenic cascade are one promising approach not only for polyglutamine SCAs but also for the many other SCAs caused by toxic mutant proteins or RNA. For these and other emerging therapeutic strategies, well-coordinated preparation is needed for fruitful clinical trials. To accomplish this goal, investigators from the United States and Europe are now collaborating to share data from their respective SCA cohorts. Increased knowledge of the natural history of SCAs, including of the premanifest and early symptomatic stages of disease, will improve the prospects for success in clinical trials of disease-modifying drugs. In addition, investigators are seeking validated clinical outcome measures that demonstrate responsiveness to changes in SCA populations. Findings suggest that MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy biomarkers will provide objective biological readouts of disease activity and progression, but more work is needed to establish disease-specific biomarkers that track target engagement in therapeutic trials. Together, these efforts suggest that the development of successful therapies for one or more SCAs is not far away.
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8
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Juliano AF, Policeni B, Agarwal V, Burns J, Bykowski J, Harvey HB, Hoang JK, Hunt CH, Kennedy TA, Moonis G, Pannell JS, Parsons MS, Powers WJ, Rosenow JM, Schroeder JW, Slavin K, Whitehead MT, Corey AS. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Ataxia. J Am Coll Radiol 2019; 16:S44-S56. [PMID: 31054758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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9
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Mascalchi M, Vella A. Neuroimaging Applications in Chronic Ataxias. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2018; 143:109-162. [PMID: 30473193 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are the main instruments for neuroimaging investigation of patients with chronic ataxia. MRI has a predominant diagnostic role in the single patient, based on the visual detection of three patterns of atrophy, namely, spinal atrophy, cortical cerebellar atrophy and olivopontocerebellar atrophy, which correlate with the aetiologies of inherited or sporadic ataxia. In fact spinal atrophy is observed in Friedreich ataxia, cortical cerebellar atrophy in Ataxia Telangectasia, gluten ataxia and Sporadic Adult Onset Ataxia and olivopontocerebellar atrophy in Multiple System Atrophy cerebellar type. The 39 types of dominantly inherited spinocerebellar ataxias show either cortical cerebellar atrophy or olivopontocerebellar atrophy. T2 or T2* weighted MR images can contribute to the diagnosis by revealing abnormally increased or decreased signal with a characteristic distribution. These include symmetric T2 hyperintensity of the posterior and lateral columns of the cervical spinal cord in Friedreich ataxia, diffuse and symmetric hyperintensity of the cerebellar cortex in Infantile Neuro-Axonal Dystrophy, symmetric hyperintensity of the peridentate white matter in Cerebrotendineous Xanthomatosis, and symmetric hyperintensity of the middle cerebellar peduncles and peridentate white matter, cerebral white matter and corpus callosum in Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome. Abnormally decreased T2 or T2* signal can be observed with a multifocal distribution in Ataxia Telangectasia and with a symmetric distribution in the basal ganglia in Multiple System Atrophy. T2 signal hypointensity lining diffusely the outer surfaces of the brainstem, cerebellum and cerebrum enables diagnosis of superficial siderosis of the central nervous system. The diagnostic role of nuclear medicine techniques is smaller. SPECT and PET show decreased uptake of radiotracers investigating the nigrostriatal system in Multiple System Atrophy and in patients with Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome. Semiquantitative or quantitative MRI, SPECT and PET data describing structural, microstructural and functional changes of the cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord have been widely applied to investigate physiopathological changes in patients with chronic ataxias. Moreover they can track diseases progression with a greater sensitivity than clinical scales. So far, a few small-size and single center studies employed neuroimaging techniques as surrogate markers of treatment effects in chronic ataxias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Mascalchi
- Meyer Children Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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10
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Hohenfeld C, Werner CJ, Reetz K. Resting-state connectivity in neurodegenerative disorders: Is there potential for an imaging biomarker? Neuroimage Clin 2018; 18:849-870. [PMID: 29876270 PMCID: PMC5988031 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Biomarkers in whichever modality are tremendously important in diagnosing of disease, tracking disease progression and clinical trials. This applies in particular for disorders with a long disease course including pre-symptomatic stages, in which only subtle signs of clinical progression can be observed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers hold particular promise due to their relative ease of use, cost-effectiveness and non-invasivity. Studies measuring resting-state functional MR connectivity have become increasingly common during recent years and are well established in neuroscience and related fields. Its increasing application does of course also include clinical settings and therein neurodegenerative diseases. In the present review, we critically summarise the state of the literature on resting-state functional connectivity as measured with functional MRI in neurodegenerative disorders. In addition to an overview of the results, we briefly outline the methods applied to the concept of resting-state functional connectivity. While there are many different neurodegenerative disorders cumulatively affecting a substantial number of patients, for most of them studies on resting-state fMRI are lacking. Plentiful amounts of papers are available for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), but only few works being available for the less common neurodegenerative diseases. This allows some conclusions on the potential of resting-state fMRI acting as a biomarker for the aforementioned two diseases, but only tentative statements for the others. For AD, the literature contains a relatively strong consensus regarding an impairment of the connectivity of the default mode network compared to healthy individuals. However, for AD there is no considerable documentation on how that alteration develops longitudinally with the progression of the disease. For PD, the available research points towards alterations of connectivity mainly in limbic and motor related regions and networks, but drawing conclusions for PD has to be done with caution due to a relative heterogeneity of the disease. For rare neurodegenerative diseases, no clear conclusions can be drawn due to the few published results. Nevertheless, summarising available data points towards characteristic connectivity alterations in Huntington's disease, frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple systems atrophy and the spinocerebellar ataxias. Overall at this point in time, the data on AD are most promising towards the eventual use of resting-state fMRI as an imaging biomarker, although there remain issues such as reproducibility of results and a lack of data demonstrating longitudinal changes. Improved methods providing more precise classifications as well as resting-state network changes that are sensitive to disease progression or therapeutic intervention are highly desirable, before routine clinical use could eventually become a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hohenfeld
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Neurology, Aachen, Germany; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Cornelius J Werner
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Neurology, Aachen, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Section Interdisciplinary Geriatrics, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Reetz
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Neurology, Aachen, Germany; JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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11
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Olivito G, Cercignani M, Lupo M, Iacobacci C, Clausi S, Romano S, Masciullo M, Molinari M, Bozzali M, Leggio M. Neural substrates of motor and cognitive dysfunctions in SCA2 patients: A network based statistics analysis. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2017; 14:719-725. [PMID: 28393013 PMCID: PMC5377430 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive cerebellar syndrome, which can be isolated or associated with extracerebellar signs. It has been shown that patients affected by SCA2 present also cognitive impairments and psychiatric symptoms. The cerebellum is known to modulate cortical activity and to contribute to distinct functional networks related to higher-level functions beyond motor control. It is therefore conceivable that one or more networks, rather than isolated regions, may be dysfunctional in cerebellar degenerative diseases and that an abnormal connectivity within specific cerebello-cortical regions might explain the widespread deficits typically observed in patients. In the present study, the network-based statistics (NBS) approach was used to assess differences in functional connectivity between specific cerebellar and cerebral “nodes” in SCA2 patients. Altered inter-nodal connectivity was found between more posterior regions in the cerebellum and regions in the cerebral cortex clearly related to cognition and emotion. Furthermore, more anterior cerebellar lobules showed altered inter-nodal connectivity with motor and somatosensory cerebral regions. The present data suggest that in SCA2 a cerebellar dysfunction affects long-distance cerebral regions and that the clinical symptoms may be specifically related with connectivity changes between motor and non-motor cerebello-cortical nodes. A cerebellar dysfunction affects long-distance cerebral regions in SCA2 patients. Connectivity changes affect sensorimotor and cognitive cerebello-cortical nodes. Cerebellar symptoms may be related to altered cerebello-cerebral connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Olivito
- Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - M Cercignani
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Clinical Imaging Science Center, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - M Lupo
- Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - C Iacobacci
- Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - S Clausi
- Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - S Romano
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), "Sapienza" University of Rome-Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - M Masciullo
- SPInal REhabilitation Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia,Rome, Italy
| | - M Molinari
- Neurorehabilitation 1 and Spinal Center, Robotic Neurorehabilitation Lab, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - M Bozzali
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - M Leggio
- Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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12
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Yoo YJ, Oh J. Identification of early neurodegenerative change in presymptomatic spinocerebellar ataxia type 1: A diffusion tensor imaging study. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2017; 36:109-110. [PMID: 28073679 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2016.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report a 41-year-old man of presymptomatic spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) verified decreased fractional anisotropy of cerebellar afferent and efferent pathways compared to 5 age-matched healthy controls while conventional MRI revealed normal brain. DTI was valuable in detection of early microstructural damage of cerebellar pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Ji Yoo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jeehae Oh
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Huang SR, Wu YT, Jao CW, Soong BW, Lirng JF, Wu HM, Wang PS. CAG repeat length does not associate with the rate of cerebellar degeneration in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Neuroimage Clin 2016; 13:97-105. [PMID: 27942452 PMCID: PMC5133648 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study investigated the correlation between the CAG repeat length and the degeneration of cerebellum in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) patients based on neuroimaging approaches. Forty SCA3 patients were recruited and classified into two subgroups according to their CAG repeat lengths (≥ 74 and < 74). We measured each patient's Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) score, N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) ratios based on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and 3-dimensional fractal dimension (3D-FD) values derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results. Furthermore, the 3D-FD values were used to construct structural covariance networks based on graph theoretical analysis. The results revealed that SCA3 patients with a longer CAG repeat length demonstrated earlier disease onset. However, the CAG repeat length did not significantly correlate with their SARA scores, cerebellar NAA/Cr ratios or cerebellar 3D-FD values. Network dissociation between cerebellar regions and parietal-occipital regions was found in SCA3 patients with CAG ≥ 74, but not in those with CAG < 74. In conclusion, the CAG repeat length is uncorrelated with the change of SARA score, cerebellar function and cerebellar structure in SCA3. Nevertheless, a longer CAG repeat length may indicate early structural covariance network dissociation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Ran Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Te Wu
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chii-Wen Jao
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Wen Soong
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Sec. 2, Shipai Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiing-Feng Lirng
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Sec. 2, Shipai Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Mei Wu
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Sec. 2, Shipai Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Shan Wang
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Sec. 2, Shipai Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No.155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital, No.12, Ln. 225, Zhixing Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
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Interhemispheric Connectivity Characterizes Cortical Reorganization in Motor-Related Networks After Cerebellar Lesions. THE CEREBELLUM 2016; 16:358-375. [DOI: 10.1007/s12311-016-0811-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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15
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Falcon MI, Gomez CM, Chen EE, Shereen A, Solodkin A. Early Cerebellar Network Shifting in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6. Cereb Cortex 2016; 26:3205-18. [PMID: 26209844 PMCID: PMC4898673 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhv154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia 6 (SCA6), an autosomal dominant degenerative disease, is characterized by diplopia, gait ataxia, and incoordination due to severe progressive degeneration of Purkinje cells in the vestibulo- and spinocerebellum. Ocular motor deficits are common, including difficulty fixating on moving objects, nystagmus and disruption of smooth pursuit movements. In presymptomatic SCA6, there are alterations in saccades and smooth-pursuit movements. We sought to assess functional and structural changes in cerebellar connectivity associated with a visual task, hypothesizing that gradual changes would parallel disease progression. We acquired functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging data during a passive smooth-pursuit task in 14 SCA6 patients, representing a range of disease duration and severity, and performed a cross-sectional comparison of cerebellar networks compared with healthy controls. We identified a shift in activation from vermis in presymptomatic individuals to lateral cerebellum in moderate-to-severe cases. Concomitantly, effective connectivity between regions of cerebral cortex and cerebellum was at its highest in moderate cases, and disappeared in severe cases. Finally, we noted structural differences in the cerebral and cerebellar peduncles. These unique results, spanning both functional and structural domains, highlight widespread changes in SCA6 and compensatory mechanisms associated with cerebellar physiology that could be utilized in developing new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - C M Gomez
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - E E Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
| | - A Shereen
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
| | - A Solodkin
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology Department of Neurology, UC Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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Manto M, Habas C. Cerebellar disorders: clinical/radiologic findings and modern imaging tools. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2016; 135:479-491. [PMID: 27432679 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-53485-9.00023-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cerebellar disorders, also called cerebellar ataxias, comprise a large group of sporadic and genetic diseases. Their core clinical features include impaired control of coordination and gait, as well as cognitive/behavioral deficits usually not detectable by a standard neurologic examination and therefore often overlooked. Two forms of cognitive/behavioral syndromes are now well identified: (1) the cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome, which combines an impairment of executive functions, including planning and working memory, deficits in visuospatial skills, linguistic deficiencies such as agrammatism, and inappropriate behavior; and (2) the posterior fossa syndrome, a very acute form of cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome occurring essentially in children. Sporadic ataxias include stroke, toxic causes, immune ataxias, infectious/parainfectious ataxias, traumatic causes, neoplasias and paraneoplastic syndromes, endocrine disorders affecting the cerebellum, and the so-called "degenerative ataxias" (multiple system atrophy, and sporadic adult-onset ataxias). Genetic ataxias include mainly four groups of disorders: autosomal-recessive cerebellar ataxias, autosomal-dominant ataxias (spinocerebellar ataxias and episodic ataxias), mitochondrial disorders, and X-linked ataxias. In addition to biochemical studies and genetic tests, brain imaging techniques are a cornerstone for the diagnosis, clinicoanatomic correlations, and follow-up of cerebellar ataxias. Modern radiologic tools to assess cerebellar ataxias include: functional imaging studies, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, volumetric studies, and tractography. These complementary methods provide a multimodal appreciation of the whole long-range cerebellar network functioning, and allow the extraction of potential biomarkers for prognosis and rating level of recovery after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Manto
- Department of Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles Erasme, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Christophe Habas
- Neuroimaging Service, Centre National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, Paris, France
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Baldarçara L, Currie S, Hadjivassiliou M, Hoggard N, Jack A, Jackowski AP, Mascalchi M, Parazzini C, Reetz K, Righini A, Schulz JB, Vella A, Webb SJ, Habas C. Consensus paper: radiological biomarkers of cerebellar diseases. THE CEREBELLUM 2015; 14:175-96. [PMID: 25382714 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-014-0610-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary and sporadic cerebellar ataxias represent a vast and still growing group of diseases whose diagnosis and differentiation cannot only rely on clinical evaluation. Brain imaging including magnetic resonance (MR) and nuclear medicine techniques allows for characterization of structural and functional abnormalities underlying symptomatic ataxias. These methods thus constitute a potential source of radiological biomarkers, which could be used to identify these diseases and differentiate subgroups of them, and to assess their severity and their evolution. Such biomarkers mainly comprise qualitative and quantitative data obtained from MR including proton spectroscopy, diffusion imaging, tractography, voxel-based morphometry, functional imaging during task execution or in a resting state, and from SPETC and PET with several radiotracers. In the current article, we aim to illustrate briefly some applications of these neuroimaging tools to evaluation of cerebellar disorders such as inherited cerebellar ataxia, fetal developmental malformations, and immune-mediated cerebellar diseases and of neurodegenerative or early-developing diseases, such as dementia and autism in which cerebellar involvement is an emerging feature. Although these radiological biomarkers appear promising and helpful to better understand ataxia-related anatomical and physiological impairments, to date, very few of them have turned out to be specific for a given ataxia with atrophy of the cerebellar system being the main and the most usual alteration being observed. Consequently, much remains to be done to establish sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of available MR and nuclear medicine features as diagnostic, progression and surrogate biomarkers in clinical routine.
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18
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Sahama I, Sinclair K, Fiori S, Doecke J, Pannek K, Reid L, Lavin M, Rose S. Motor pathway degeneration in young ataxia telangiectasia patients: A diffusion tractography study. Neuroimage Clin 2015; 9:206-15. [PMID: 26413479 PMCID: PMC4561673 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2015.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our understanding of the effect of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated gene mutations on brain structure and function is limited. In this study, white matter motor pathway integrity was investigated in ataxia telangiectasia patients using diffusion MRI and probabilistic tractography. METHODS Diffusion MRI were obtained from 12 patients (age range: 7-22 years, mean: 12 years) and 12 typically developing age matched participants (age range 8-23 years, mean: 13 years). White matter fiber tracking and whole tract statistical analyses were used to assess quantitative fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity differences along the cortico-ponto-cerebellar, cerebellar-thalamo-cortical, somatosensory and lateral corticospinal tract length in patients using a linear mixed effects model. White matter tract streamline number and apparent fiber density in patient and control tracts were also assessed. RESULTS Reduced fractional anisotropy along all analyzed patient tracts were observed (p < 0.001). Mean diffusivity was significantly elevated in anterior tract locations but was reduced within cerebellar peduncle regions of all patient tracts (p < 0.001). Reduced tract streamline number and tract volume in the left and right corticospinal and somatosensory tracts were observed in patients (p < 0.006). In addition, reduced apparent fiber density in the left and right corticospinal and right somatosensory tracts (p < 0.006) occurred in patients. CONCLUSIONS Whole tract analysis of the corticomotor, corticospinal and somatosensory pathways in ataxia telangiectasia showed significant white matter degeneration along the entire length of motor circuits, highlighting that ataxia-telangiectasia gene mutation impacts the cerebellum and multiple other motor circuits in young patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishani Sahama
- University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kate Sinclair
- Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - James Doecke
- Digital Productivity Flagship/The Australian E-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Lee Reid
- Digital Productivity Flagship/The Australian E-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Martin Lavin
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Stephen Rose
- Digital Productivity Flagship/The Australian E-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Brisbane, Australia
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19
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Hernandez-Castillo CR, Galvez V, Mercadillo RE, Díaz R, Yescas P, Martinez L, Ochoa A, Velazquez-Perez L, Fernandez-Ruiz J. Functional connectivity changes related to cognitive and motor performance in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. Mov Disord 2015; 30:1391-9. [PMID: 26256273 DOI: 10.1002/mds.26320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several neuropathological studies in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) have revealed significant atrophy of the cerebellum, brainstem, sensorimotor cortex, and several regions in the frontal lobe. However, the impact of the neurodegeneration on the functional integration of the remaining tissue is unknown. To analyze the clinical impact of these functional changes, we correlated the abnormal functional connectivity found in SCA2 patients with their scores in clinical scales. To obtain the functional connectivity changes, we followed two approaches. In one we used areas with significant cerebellar gray matter atrophy as anchor seeds, and in the other we performed a whole-brain data-driven analysis. METHODS Fourteen genetically confirmed SCA2 patients and aged-matched healthy controls participated in the study. Voxel-based morphometry and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were done to analyze structural and functional brain changes. Independent component analysis and dual regression were used for intrinsic network comparison. Significant functional connectivity differences were correlated with the behavioral scores. RESULTS Seed-based analysis found reduced functional connectivity within the cerebellum and between the cerebellum and frontal/parietal cortices. Cerebellar functional connectivity increases were found with parietal, frontal, and temporal areas. Intrinsic network analysis found a functional decrease in the cerebellar network, and increase in the default-mode and fronto-parietal networks. Further analysis showed significant correlations between clinical scores and the abnormal functional connectivity strength. CONCLUSION Our findings show significant correlations between functional connectivity changes in key areas affected in SCA2 and these patients' motor and neuropsychological impairments, adding an important insight to our understanding of the pathophysiology of SCA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos R Hernandez-Castillo
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología-Cátedras-Instituto de Neuroetologia, Universidad Veracruzana, México
| | - Víctor Galvez
- Programa de Doctorado en Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, México
| | - Roberto E Mercadillo
- Cátedras CONACYT, Área de Neurociencias, Depto. de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Iztapalapa, México
| | - Rosalinda Díaz
- Laboratorio de Neuropsicología, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México
| | - Petra Yescas
- Departamento de Neurogenética y Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía. Manuel Velasco Suarez, México
| | - Leticia Martinez
- Departamento de Neurogenética y Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía. Manuel Velasco Suarez, México
| | - Adriana Ochoa
- Departamento de Neurogenética y Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía. Manuel Velasco Suarez, México
| | | | - Juan Fernandez-Ruiz
- Programa de Doctorado en Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, México.,Laboratorio de Neuropsicología, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México.,Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Veracruzana, México
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20
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Knabe W, Washausen S. Early development of the nervous system of the eutherian <i>Tupaia belangeri</i>. Primate Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.5194/pb-2-25-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract. The longstanding debate on the taxonomic status of Tupaia belangeri (Tupaiidae, Scandentia, Mammalia) has persisted in times of molecular biology and genetics. But way beyond that Tupaia belangeri has turned out to be a valuable and widely accepted animal model for studies in neurobiology, stress research, and virology, among other topics. It is thus a privilege to have the opportunity to provide an overview on selected aspects of neural development and neuroanatomy in Tupaia belangeri on the occasion of this special issue dedicated to Hans-Jürg Kuhn. Firstly, emphasis will be given to the optic system. We report rather "unconventional" findings on the morphogenesis of photoreceptor cells, and on the presence of capillary-contacting neurons in the tree shrew retina. Thereafter, network formation among directionally selective retinal neurons and optic chiasm development are discussed. We then address the main and accessory olfactory systems, the terminal nerve, the pituitary gland, and the cerebellum of Tupaia belangeri. Finally, we demonstrate how innovative 3-D reconstruction techniques helped to decipher and interpret so-far-undescribed, strictly spatiotemporally regulated waves of apoptosis and proliferation which pass through the early developing forebrain and eyes, midbrain and hindbrain, and through the panplacodal primordium which gives rise to all ectodermal placodes. Based on examples, this paper additionally wants to show how findings gained from the reported projects have influenced current neuroembryological and, at least partly, medical research.
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21
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Cocozza S, Saccà F, Cervo A, Marsili A, Russo CV, Giorgio SMDA, De Michele G, Filla A, Brunetti A, Quarantelli M. Modifications of resting state networks in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. Mov Disord 2015; 30:1382-90. [PMID: 26094751 DOI: 10.1002/mds.26284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to investigate the integrity of the Resting State Networks in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) and the correlations between the modification of these networks and clinical variables. METHODS Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) data from 19 SCA2 patients and 29 healthy controls were analyzed using an independent component analysis and dual regression, controlling at voxel level for the effect of atrophy by co-varying for gray matter volume. Correlations between the resting state networks alterations and disease duration, age at onset, number of triplets, and clinical score were assessed by Spearman's coefficient, for each cluster which was significantly different in SCA2 patients compared with healthy controls. RESULTS In SCA2 patients, disruption of the cerebellar components of all major resting state networks was present, with supratentorial involvement only for the default mode network. When controlling at voxel level for gray matter volume, the reduction in functional connectivity in supratentorial regions of the default mode network, and in cerebellar regions within the default mode, executive and right fronto-parietal networks, was still significant. No correlations with clinical variables were found for any of the investigated resting state networks. CONCLUSIONS The SCA2 patients show significant alterations of the resting state networks, only partly explained by the atrophy. The default mode network is the only resting state network that shows also supratentorial changes, which appear unrelated to the cortical gray matter volume. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical significance of these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirio Cocozza
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Saccà
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Amedeo Cervo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Marsili
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Valeria Russo
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe De Michele
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Filla
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Arturo Brunetti
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Quarantelli
- Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
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22
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Sahama I, Sinclair K, Pannek K, Lavin M, Rose S. Radiological imaging in ataxia telangiectasia: a review. THE CEREBELLUM 2015; 13:521-30. [PMID: 24683014 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-014-0557-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The human genetic disorder ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is characterised by neurodegeneration, immunodeficiency, radiosensitivity, cell cycle checkpoint defects, genomic instability and cancer predisposition. Progressive cerebellar ataxia represents the most debilitating aspect of this disorder. At present, there is no therapy available to cure or prevent the progressive symptoms of A-T. While it is possible to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with immunodeficiency and deficient lung function, neither the predisposition to cancer nor the progressive neurodegeneration can be prevented. Significant effort has focused on improving our understanding of various clinical, genetic and immunological aspects of A-T; however, little attention has been directed towards identifying altered brain structure and function using MRI. To date, most imaging studies have reported radiological anomalies in A-T. This review outlines the clinical and biological features of A-T along with known radiological imaging anomalies. In addition, we briefly discuss the advent of high-resolution MRI in conjunction with diffusion-weighted imaging, which enables improved investigation of the microstructural tissue environment, giving insight into the loss in integrity of motor networks due to abnormal neurodevelopmental or progressive neurodegenerative processes. Such imaging approaches have yet to be applied in the study of A-T and could provide important new information regarding the relationship between mutation of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene and the integrity of motor circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishani Sahama
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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23
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Abstract
Background Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative diseases that are clinically and genetically heterogeneous. SCAs are characterized by a range of neurological symptoms. SCA12 is an autosomal-dominant (AD) ataxia caused by a CAG repeat expansion mutation in a presumed promoter region of the gene PPP2R2B in a non-coding region on chromosome 5q32. This study sought to determine changes in different positions in a single Uyghur SCA12 pedigree by measuring the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA). Material/Methods A single Uyghur pedigree was collected and was confirmed to possess SCA12 by genetic diagnosis, among which 13 cases were patients and 54 cases were “healthy” individuals. Five patients were presymptomatic and 15 individuals selected as a control group were examination in the same time. DTI was performed on a 1.5T scanner, with b=1000 s/mm2 and 15 directions. ADC and FA were measured by regions of interest positioned in the corticospinal tract at the level of the pons (pons), superior peduncle (SCP), middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP), cerebellar cortex (CeC), cerebral cortex (CC), and cerebellar vermis (CV) white matter. Results Compared with the controls, the ADC was significantly elevated in the CeC, SCP, CC, and CV regions in SCA12 patients. The FA significantly decreased in the CC region in SCA12 patients and the CC and CV regions in SCA12 presymptomatic patients. The course of the disease, SARA score, and ADC values in CV showed highly positive correlations. Conclusions SCA12 pedigree patients exhibited microstructural damage in the brain white matter. The damage in white matter fiber may first occur in the CC and CV regions in SCA12 presymptomatic patients. The ADC values in the CV region could reflect disease severity in SCA12 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Li
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumuqi, China (mainland)
| | - Jingjing Ma
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumuqi, China (mainland)
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumuqi, China (mainland)
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Hernandez-Castillo CR, Alcauter S, Galvez V, Barrios FA, Yescas P, Ochoa A, Garcia L, Diaz R, Gao W, Fernandez-Ruiz J. Disruption of visual and motor connectivity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 7. Mov Disord 2013; 28:1708-16. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.25618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos R. Hernandez-Castillo
- Instituto de Neuroetologia; Universidad Veracruzana; Xalapa Mexico
- Department of Radiology and BRIC; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Sarael Alcauter
- Department of Radiology and BRIC; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Victor Galvez
- Instituto de Neuroetologia; Universidad Veracruzana; Xalapa Mexico
| | - Fernando A. Barrios
- Instituto de Neurobiología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Petra Yescas
- Departamento de Neurogenetica y Biologia Molecular; Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia. Manuel Velasco Suarez; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Adriana Ochoa
- Departamento de Neurogenetica y Biologia Molecular; Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia. Manuel Velasco Suarez; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Lizbeth Garcia
- Departamento de Neurogenetica y Biologia Molecular; Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia. Manuel Velasco Suarez; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Rosalinda Diaz
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Radiology and BRIC; University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
| | - Juan Fernandez-Ruiz
- Instituto de Neuroetologia; Universidad Veracruzana; Xalapa Mexico
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; Mexico City Mexico
- Facultad de Psicologia; Universidad Veracruzana; Xalapa Mexico
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Husárová I, Mikl M, Lungu OV, Mareček R, Vaníček J, Bareš M. Similar circuits but different connectivity patterns between the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and supplementary motor area in early Parkinson's disease patients and controls during predictive motor timing. J Neuroimaging 2013; 23:452-62. [PMID: 23701268 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Revised: 03/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The cerebellum, basal ganglia (BG), and other cortical regions, such as supplementary motor area (SMA) have emerged as important structures dealing with various aspects of timing, yet the modulation of functional connectivity between them during motor timing tasks remains unexplored. METHODS We used dynamic causal modeling to investigate the differences in effective connectivity (EC) between these regions and its modulation by behavioral outcome during a motor timing prediction task in a group of 16 patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD) and 17 healthy controls. Behavioral events (hits and errors) constituted the driving input connected to the cerebellum, and the modulation in connectivity was assessed relative to the hit condition (successful interception of target). RESULTS The driving input elicited response in the target area, while modulatory input changed the specific connection strength. The neuroimaging data revealed similar structure of intrinsic connectivity in both groups with unidirectional connections from cerebellum to both sides of the BG, from BG to the SMA, and then from SMA to the cerebellum. However, the type of intrinsic connection was different between two groups. In the PD group, the connection between the SMA and cerebellum was inhibitory in comparison to the HC group, where the connection was activated. Furthermore, the modulation of connectivity by the performance in the task was different between the two groups, with decreased connectivity between the cerebellum and left BG and SMA and a more pronounced symmetry of these connections in controls. In the same time, there was an increased EC between the cerebellum and both sides of BG with more pronounced asymmetry (stronger connection with left BG) in patients. In addition, in the PD group the modulatory input strengthened inhibitory connectivity between the SMA and the cerebellum, while in the HC group the excitatory connection was slightly strengthened. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that although early PD subjects and controls use similar functional circuits to maintain a successful outcome in predictive motor timing behavior, the type and strength of EC and its modulation by behavioral performance differ between these two groups. These functional differences might represent the first step of cortical reorganization aimed at maintaining a normal performance in the brain affected by early Parkinson's disease and may have implications for the neuro-rehabilitation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivica Husárová
- Faculty of Medicine, First Department of Neurology, St. Anne's Teaching Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Guimarães RP, D'Abreu A, Yasuda CL, França MC, Silva BHB, Cappabianco FAM, Bergo FPG, Lopes-Cendes IT, Cendes F. A multimodal evaluation of microstructural white matter damage in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Mov Disord 2013; 28:1125-32. [PMID: 23553599 DOI: 10.1002/mds.25451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2012] [Revised: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although white matter damage may play a major role in the pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3), available data rely exclusively upon macrostructural analyses. In this setting we designed a study to investigate white matter integrity. We evaluated 38 genetically-confirmed SCA3 patients (mean age, 52.76 ± 12.70 years; 21 males) with clinical scales and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 38 healthy subjects as a control group (mean age, 48.86 ± 12.07 years, 20 male). All individuals underwent the same protocol for high-resolution T1 and T2 images and diffusion tensor imaging acquisition (32 directions) in a 3-T scanner. We used Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (FSL 4.1.4) to analyze diffusion data and SPM8/DARTEL for voxel-based morphometry of infratentorial structures. T2-relaxometry of cerebellum was performed with in-house-developed software Aftervoxel and Interactive Volume Segmentation (IVS). Patients' mean age at onset was 40.02 ± 11.48 years and mean duration of disease was 9.3 ± 2.7 years. Mean International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) scores were 32.08 ± 4.01 and 14.65 ± 7.33, respectively. Voxel-based morphometry demonstrated a volumetric reduction of gray and white matter in cerebellum and brainstem (P <.001). We found reduced fractional anisotropy (P <.05) in the cerebellum and brainstem. There were also areas of increased radial diffusivity (P <.05) in the cerebellum, brainstem, thalamus, frontal lobes, and temporal lobes. In addition, we found decreased T2-relaxation values in the white matter of the right cerebellar hemisphere. Microstructural white matter dysfunction, not previously reported, occurs in the cerebellum and brainstem of SCA3 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel P Guimarães
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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