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Lobo CC, Wertheimer GS, Schmitt GS, Matos PC, Rezende TJ, Silva JM, Borba FC, Lima FD, Martinez AR, Barsottini OG, Pedroso JL, Marques W, França MC. Cranial Nerve Thinning Distinguishes RFC1-Related Disorder from Other Late-Onset Ataxias. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2024; 11:45-52. [PMID: 38291837 PMCID: PMC10828611 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RFC1-related disorder (RFC1/CANVAS) shares clinical features with other late-onset ataxias, such as spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) and multiple system atrophy cerebellar type (MSA-C). Thinning of cranial nerves V (CNV) and VIII (CNVIII) has been reported in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of RFC1/CANVAS, but its specificity remains unclear. OBJECTIVES To assess the usefulness of CNV and CNVIII thinning to differentiate RFC1/CANVAS from SCA and MSA-C. METHODS Seventeen individuals with RFC1/CANVAS, 57 with SCA (types 2, 3 and 6), 11 with MSA-C and 15 healthy controls were enrolled. The Balanced Fast Field Echo sequence was used for assessment of cranial nerves. Images were reviewed by a neuroradiologist, who classified these nerves as atrophic or normal, and subsequently the CNV was segmented manually by an experienced neurologist. Both assessments were blinded to patient and clinical data. Non-parametric tests were used to assess between-group comparisons. RESULTS Atrophy of CNV and CNVIII, both alone and in combination, was significantly more frequent in the RFC1/CANVAS group than in healthy controls and all other ataxia groups. Atrophy of CNV had the highest sensitivity (82%) and combined CNV and CNVIII atrophy had the best specificity (92%) for diagnosing RFC1/CANVAS. In the quantitative analyses, CNV was significantly thinner in the RFC1/CANVAS group relative to all other groups. The cutoff CNV diameter that best identified RFC1/CANVAS was ≤2.2 mm (AUC = 0.91; sensitivity 88.2%, specificity 95.6%). CONCLUSION MRI evaluation of CNV and CNVIII using a dedicated sequence is an easy-to-use tool that helps to distinguish RFC1/CANVAS from SCA and MSA-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila C. Lobo
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | | | - Gabriel S. Schmitt
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Paula C.A.A.P. Matos
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of MedicineFederal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Thiago J.R. Rezende
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Joyce M. Silva
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Fabrício C. Borba
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Fabrício D. Lima
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Alberto R.M. Martinez
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Orlando G.P. Barsottini
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of MedicineFederal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - José Luiz Pedroso
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of MedicineFederal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Wilson Marques
- Department of Neurosciences, School of MedicineUniversity of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto (USP‐RP)Ribeirão PretoBrazil
| | - Marcondes C. França
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
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Kulkarni M, Kent JS, Park K, Guell X, Anteraper S. Resting-state functional connectivity-based parcellation of the human dentate nucleus: new findings and clinical relevance. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:1799-1810. [PMID: 37439862 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02665-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
For years, the cerebellum was left out of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies due to technological limitations. The advent of novel data acquisition and reconstruction strategies (e.g., whole-brain simultaneous multi-slice imaging) employing multi-channel array coils has overcome such limitations, ushering unprecedented improvements in temporal signal-to-noise ratio and spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we aim to provide a brief report on the deep cerebellar nuclei, specifically focusing on the dentate nuclei, the primary output nuclei, situated within both cognitive and motor cerebello-cerebral circuits. We highlight the importance of functional parcellation in refining our understanding of broad resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in both health and disease. First, we review work relevant to the functional topography of the dentate nuclei, including recent advances in functional parcellation. Next, we review RSFC studies using the dentate nuclei as seed regions of interest in neurological and psychiatric populations and discuss the potential benefits of applying functionally defined subdivisions. Finally, we discuss recent technological advances and underscore ultrahigh-field neuroimaging as a tool to potentiate functionally parcellated RSFC analyses in clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maitreyee Kulkarni
- Department of Psychology, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Jerillyn S Kent
- Department of Psychology, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Katie Park
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Xavier Guell
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sheeba Anteraper
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 2201 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, United States.
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3
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Jäschke D, Steiner KM, Chang DI, Claaßen J, Uslar E, Thieme A, Gerwig M, Pfaffenrot V, Hulst T, Gussew A, Maderwald S, Göricke SL, Minnerop M, Ladd ME, Reichenbach JR, Timmann D, Deistung A. Age-related differences of cerebellar cortex and nuclei: MRI findings in healthy controls and its application to spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA6) patients. Neuroimage 2023; 270:119950. [PMID: 36822250 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.119950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding cerebellar alterations due to healthy aging provides a reference point against which pathological findings in late-onset disease, for example spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6), can be contrasted. In the present study, we investigated the impact of aging on the cerebellar nuclei and cerebellar cortex in 109 healthy controls (age range: 16 - 78 years) using 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Findings were compared with 25 SCA6 patients (age range: 38 - 78 years). A subset of 16 SCA6 (included: 14) patients and 50 controls (included: 45) received an additional MRI scan at 7 Tesla and were re-scanned after one year. MRI included T1-weighted, T2-weighted FLAIR, and multi-echo T2*-weighted imaging. The T2*-weighted phase images were converted to quantitative susceptibility maps (QSM). Since the cerebellar nuclei are characterized by elevated iron content with respect to their surroundings, two independent raters manually outlined them on the susceptibility maps. T1-weighted images acquired at 3T were utilized to automatically identify the cerebellar gray matter (GM) volume. Linear correlations revealed significant atrophy of the cerebellum due to tissue loss of cerebellar cortical GM in healthy controls with increasing age. Reduction of the cerebellar GM was substantially stronger in SCA6 patients. The volume of the dentate nuclei did not exhibit a significant relationship with age, at least in the age range between 18 and 78 years, whereas mean susceptibilities of the dentate nuclei increased with age. As previously shown, the dentate nuclei volumes were smaller and magnetic susceptibilities were lower in SCA6 patients compared to age- and sex-matched controls. The significant dentate volume loss in SCA6 patients could also be confirmed with 7T MRI. Linear mixed effects models and individual paired t-tests accounting for multiple comparisons revealed no statistical significant change in volume and susceptibility of the dentate nuclei after one year in neither patients nor controls. Importantly, dentate volumes were more sensitive to differentiate between SCA6 (Cohen's d = 3.02) and matched controls than the cerebellar cortex volume (d = 2.04). In addition to age-related decline of the cerebellar cortex and atrophy in SCA6 patients, age-related increase of susceptibility of the dentate nuclei was found in controls, whereas dentate volume and susceptibility was significantly decreased in SCA6 patients. Because no significant changes of any of these parameters was found at follow-up, these measures do not allow to monitor disease progression at short intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Jäschke
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
| | - Katharina M Steiner
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; LVR-Hospital Essen, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Dae-In Chang
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum 44791, Germany
| | - Jens Claaßen
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; Fachklinik für Neurologie, MEDICLIN Klinik Reichshof, Reichshof-Eckenhagen 51580, Germany
| | - Ellen Uslar
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Andreas Thieme
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Marcus Gerwig
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Viktor Pfaffenrot
- Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45141, Germany
| | - Thomas Hulst
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; Erasmus University College, Rotterdam 3011 HP, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander Gussew
- University Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Radiology, Department for Radiation Medicine, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, Halle (Saale) 06120, Germany
| | - Stefan Maderwald
- Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45141, Germany
| | - Sophia L Göricke
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45141, Germany
| | - Martina Minnerop
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Juelich, Juelich 52425, Germany; Department of Neurology, Center for Movement Disorders and Neuromodulation, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany; Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Mark E Ladd
- Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45141, Germany; Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Faculty of Physics and Astronomy and Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Jürgen R Reichenbach
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Dagmar Timmann
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45141, Germany
| | - Andreas Deistung
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; University Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Radiology, Department for Radiation Medicine, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, Halle (Saale) 06120, Germany; Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena 07743, Germany.
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4
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Zhang Y, Huang P, Wang X, Xu Q, Liu Y, Jin Z, Li Y, Cheng Z, Tang R, Chen S, He N, Yan F, Haacke EM. Visualizing the deep cerebellar nuclei using quantitative susceptibility mapping: An application in healthy controls, Parkinson's disease patients and essential tremor patients. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:1810-1824. [PMID: 36502376 PMCID: PMC9921226 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26178] [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] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The visualization and identification of the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) (dentate [DN], interposed [IN] and fastigial nuclei [FN]) are particularly challenging. We aimed to visualize the DCN using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), predict the contrast differences between QSM and T2* weighted imaging, and compare the DCN volume and susceptibility in movement disorder populations and healthy controls (HCs). Seventy-one Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, 39 essential tremor patients, and 80 HCs were enrolled. The PD patients were subdivided into tremor dominant (TD) and postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD) groups. A 3D strategically acquired gradient echo MR imaging protocol was used for each subject to obtain the QSM data. Regions of interest were drawn manually on the QSM data to calculate the volume and susceptibility. Correlation analysis between the susceptibility and either age or volume was performed and the intergroup differences of the volume and magnetic susceptibility in all the DCN structures were evaluated. For the most part, all the DCN structures were clearly visualized on the QSM data. The susceptibility increased as a function of volume for both the HC group and disease groups in the DN and IN (p < .001) but not the FN (p = .74). Only the volume of the FN in the TD-PD group was higher than that in the HCs (p = .012), otherwise, the volume and susceptibility among these four groups did not differ significantly. In conclusion, QSM provides clear visualization of the DCN structures. The results for the volume and susceptibility of the DCN can be used as baseline references in future studies of movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youmin Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei Huang
- Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinhui Wang
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuyun Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijia Jin
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zenghui Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongbiao Tang
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengdi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Naying He
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fuhua Yan
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - E Mark Haacke
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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5
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Zou W, Song P, Lu W, Shao R, Zhang R, Yau SY, Yuan TF, Wang Y, Lin K. Global hippocampus functional connectivity as a predictive neural marker for conversion to future mood disorder in unaffected offspring of bipolar disorder parents. Asian J Psychiatr 2022; 78:103307. [PMID: 36332319 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hippocampus-related functional alteration in genetically at-risk individuals may reflect an endophenotype of a mood disorder. Herein, we performed a prospective study to investigate whether baseline hippocampus functional connectivity (FC) in offspring of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) would predict subsequent conversion to mood disorder. METHODS Eighty bipolar offspring and 40 matched normal controls (NC) underwent resting state functional MRI (rsfMRI) scanning on a 3.0 Tesla MR scanner. The offspring were subdivided into asymptomatic offspring (AO) (n = 41) and symptomatic offspring (SO) (n = 39) according to whether they manifested subthreshold mood symptoms. After identifying the different hippocampus FCs between the AO and SO, a logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate whether the baseline hippocampus FCs predicted a future mood disorder during a 6-year follow-up. RESULTS We identified seven baseline para/hippocampus FCs that showed differences between AO and SO, which were entered as predictive features in the logistic regressive model. Of the 80 bipolar offspring entering the analysis, the FCs between left hippocampus and left precuneus, and between right hippocampus and left posterior cingulate, showed a discriminative capacity for predicting future mood disorder (area-under-curve, or AUC=75.76 % and 75.00 % respectively), and for predicting BD onset (AUC=77.46 % and 81.63 %, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The present findings revealed high predictive utility of the hippocampus resting state FCs for future mood disorder and BD onset in individuals at familial risk. These neural markers can potentially improve early detection of individuals carrying particularly high risk for future mood disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjin Zou
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peilun Song
- School of Information Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weicong Lu
- Department of Affective Disorders, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Robin Shao
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Laboratory of Social Cognitive Affective, Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ruoxi Zhang
- Department of Affective Disorders, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suk-Yu Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Ti-Fei Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
| | - Yaping Wang
- School of Information Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Kangguang Lin
- Department of Affective Disorders, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, No. 17, Shandong Road, Shinan district, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China.
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6
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Roberts LJ, McVeigh M, Seiderer L, Harding IH, Corben LA, Delatycki M, Szmulewicz DJ. Overview of the Clinical Approach to Individuals With Cerebellar Ataxia and Neuropathy. Neurol Genet 2022; 8:e200021. [PMID: 36187726 PMCID: PMC9520343 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000200021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Increasingly, cerebellar syndromes are recognized as affecting multiple systems. Extracerebellar features include peripheral neuropathies affecting proprioception; cranial neuropathies such as auditory and vestibular; and neuronopathies, for example, dorsal root and vestibular. The presence of such features, which in and of themselves may cause ataxia, likely contribute to key disabilities such as gait instability and falls. Based on the evolving available literature and experience, we outline a clinical approach to the diagnosis of adult-onset ataxia where a combination of cerebellar and peripheral or cranial nerve pathology exists. Objective diagnostic modalities including electrophysiology, oculomotor, and vestibular function testing are invaluable in accurately defining an individual's phenotype. Advances in MRI techniques have led to an increased recognition of disease-specific patterns of cerebellar pathology, including those conditions where neuronopathies may be involved. Depending on availability, a stepwise approach to genetic testing is suggested. This is guided by factors such as pattern of inheritance and age at disease onset, and genetic testing may range from specific genetic panels through to whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing. Management is best performed with the involvement of a multidisciplinary team, aiming at minimization of complications such as falls and aspiration pneumonia and maximizing functional status.
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7
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Miranda CO, Nobre RJ, Paiva VH, Duarte JV, Castelhano J, Petrella LI, Sereno J, Santana M, Afonso S, Januário C, Castelo-Branco M, de Almeida LP. Cerebellar morphometric and spectroscopic biomarkers for Machado-Joseph Disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:37. [PMID: 35305685 PMCID: PMC8933766 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01329-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) or Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common form of dominant SCA worldwide. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS) provide promising non-invasive diagnostic and follow-up tools, also serving to evaluate therapies efficacy. However, pre-clinical studies showing relationship between MRI-MRS based biomarkers and functional performance are missing, which hampers an efficient clinical translation of therapeutics. This study assessed motor behaviour, neurochemical profiles, and morphometry of the cerebellum of MJD transgenic mice and patients aiming at establishing magnetic-resonance-based biomarkers. 1H-MRS and structural MRI measurements of MJD transgenic mice were performed with a 9.4 Tesla scanner, correlated with motor performance on rotarod and compared with data collected from human patients. We found decreased cerebellar white and grey matter and enlargement of the fourth ventricle in both MJD mice and human patients as compared to controls. N-acetylaspartate (NAA), NAA + N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAA + NAAG), Glutamate, and Taurine, were significantly decreased in MJD mouse cerebellum regardless of age, whereas myo-Inositol (Ins) was increased at early time-points. Lower neurochemical ratios levels (NAA/Ins and NAA/total Choline), previously correlated with worse clinical status in SCAs, were also observed in MJD mice cerebella. NAA, NAA + NAAG, Glutamate, and Taurine were also positively correlated with MJD mice motor performance. Importantly, these 1H-MRS results were largely analogous to those found for MJD in human studies and in our pilot data in human patients. We have established a magnetic resonance-based biomarker approach to monitor novel therapies in preclinical studies and human clinical trials.
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Priovoulos N, Roos T, Ipek Ö, Meliado EF, Nkrumah RO, Klomp DWJ, van der Zwaag W. A local multi-transmit coil combined with a high-density receive array for cerebellar fMRI at 7 T. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2021; 34:e4586. [PMID: 34231292 PMCID: PMC8519055 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The human cerebellum is involved in a wide array of functions, ranging from motor control to cognitive control, and as such is of great neuroscientific interest. However, its function is underexplored in vivo, due to its small size, its dense structure and its placement at the bottom of the brain, where transmit and receive fields are suboptimal. In this study, we combined two dense coil arrays of 16 small surface receive elements each with a transmit array of three antenna elements to improve BOLD sensitivity in the human cerebellum at 7 T. Our results showed improved B1+ and SNR close to the surface as well as g-factor gains compared with a commercial coil designed for whole-head imaging. This resulted in improved signal stability and large gains in the spatial extent of the activation close to the surface (<3.5 cm), while good performance was retained deeper in the cerebellum. Modulating the phase of the transmit elements of the head coil to constructively interfere in the cerebellum improved the B1+ , resulting in a temporal SNR gain. Overall, our results show that a dedicated transmit array along with the SNR gains of surface coil arrays can improve cerebellar imaging, at the cost of a decreased field of view and increased signal inhomogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Priovoulos
- Spinoza Center for NeuroimagingRoyal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Thomas Roos
- Spinoza Center for NeuroimagingRoyal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Özlem Ipek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Ettore F. Meliado
- Image Sciences InstituteUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Richard O. Nkrumah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Dennis W. J. Klomp
- Image Sciences InstituteUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Wietske van der Zwaag
- Spinoza Center for NeuroimagingRoyal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
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9
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Cocozza S, Pontillo G, De Michele G, Di Stasi M, Guerriero E, Perillo T, Pane C, De Rosa A, Ugga L, Brunetti A. Conventional MRI findings in hereditary degenerative ataxias: a pictorial review. Neuroradiology 2021; 63:983-999. [PMID: 33733696 PMCID: PMC8213578 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-021-02682-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Cerebellar ataxias are a large and heterogeneous group of disorders. The evaluation of brain parenchyma via MRI plays a central role in the diagnostic assessment of these conditions, being mandatory to exclude the presence of other underlying causes in determining the clinical phenotype. Once these possible causes are ruled out, the diagnosis is usually researched in the wide range of hereditary or sporadic ataxias. Methods We here propose a review of the main clinical and conventional imaging findings of the most common hereditary degenerative ataxias, to help neuroradiologists in the evaluation of these patients. Results Hereditary degenerative ataxias are all usually characterized from a neuroimaging standpoint by the presence, in almost all cases, of cerebellar atrophy. Nevertheless, a proper assessment of imaging data, extending beyond the mere evaluation of cerebellar atrophy, evaluating also the pattern of volume loss as well as concomitant MRI signs, is crucial to achieve a proper diagnosis. Conclusion The integration of typical neuroradiological characteristics, along with patient’s clinical history and laboratory data, could allow the neuroradiologist to identify some conditions and exclude others, addressing the neurologist to the more appropriate genetic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirio Cocozza
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Pontillo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Michele
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Di Stasi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Elvira Guerriero
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Perillo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Pane
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Anna De Rosa
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ugga
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Arturo Brunetti
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
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Li Y, Sethi SK, Zhang C, Miao Y, Yerramsetty KK, Palutla VK, Gharabaghi S, Wang C, He N, Cheng J, Yan F, Haacke EM. Iron Content in Deep Gray Matter as a Function of Age Using Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping: A Multicenter Study. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:607705. [PMID: 33488350 PMCID: PMC7815653 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.607705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of resolution on iron content using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM); to verify the consistency of QSM across field strengths and manufacturers in evaluating the iron content of deep gray matter (DGM) of the human brain using subjects from multiple sites; and to establish a susceptibility baseline as a function of age for each DGM structure using both a global and regional iron analysis. METHODS Data from 623 healthy adults, ranging from 20 to 90 years old, were collected across 3 sites using gradient echo imaging on one 1.5 Tesla and two 3.0 Tesla MR scanners. Eight subcortical gray matter nuclei were semi-automatically segmented using a full-width half maximum threshold-based analysis of the QSM data. Mean susceptibility, volume and total iron content with age correlations were evaluated for each measured structure for both the whole-region and RII (high iron content regions) analysis. For the purpose of studying the effect of resolution on QSM, a digitized model of the brain was applied. RESULTS The mean susceptibilities of the caudate nucleus (CN), globus pallidus (GP) and putamen (PUT) were not significantly affected by changing the slice thickness from 0.5 to 3 mm. But for small structures, the susceptibility was reduced by 10% for 2 mm thick slices. For global analysis, the mean susceptibility correlated positively with age for the CN, PUT, red nucleus (RN), substantia nigra (SN), and dentate nucleus (DN). There was a negative correlation with age in the thalamus (THA). The volumes of most nuclei were negatively correlated with age. Apart from the GP, THA, and pulvinar thalamus (PT), all the other structures showed an increasing total iron content despite the reductions in volume with age. For the RII regional high iron content analysis, mean susceptibility in most of the structures was moderately to strongly correlated with age. Similar to the global analysis, apart from the GP, THA, and PT, all structures showed an increasing total iron content. CONCLUSION A reasonable estimate for age-related iron behavior can be obtained from a large cross site, cross manufacturer set of data when high enough resolutions are used. These estimates can be used for correcting for age related iron changes when studying diseases like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other iron related neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sean K. Sethi
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
- MR Innovations, Inc., Bingham Farms, MI, United States
- SpinTech, Inc., Bingham Farms, MI, United States
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanwei Miao
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | | | | | | | - Chengyan Wang
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Naying He
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fuhua Yan
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ewart Mark Haacke
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
- MR Innovations, Inc., Bingham Farms, MI, United States
- SpinTech, Inc., Bingham Farms, MI, United States
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11
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Xie F, Weihua L, Lirong O, Wang X, Xing W. Quantitative susceptibility mapping in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD). Acta Radiol 2020; 61:520-527. [PMID: 31450947 DOI: 10.1177/0284185119868906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background The deep nuclei, brainstem, and anterior central gyrus are important sites of spinocerebellar ataxia type3/Machado–Joseph Disease (SCA3/MJD) involvement. These locations were the common iron deposition areas. We hypothesized that iron deposition changes occur in SCA3/MJD patients and are associated with disease progression. Purpose Quantitative susceptibility mapping was used to quantitatively analyze changes in iron levels in SCA3/MJD patients. Material and Methods Eighteen symptomatic SCA3/MJD patients and 18 age-matched normal controls (group 1; NC1), and 12 asymptomatic mutation carriers (pre-SCA3/MJD) and 16 age-matched normal controls (group 2; NC2) were examined by enhanced gradient echo T2*-weighted angiography. Data were processed to obtain the quantitative susceptibility mapping values. Independent sample t-tests were conducted to compare the differences in the quantitative susceptibility mapping values. Results In the red nuclei and substantia nigra, the quantitative susceptibility mapping values of the symptomatic SCA3/MJD group were significantly higher than those of NC1 ( P < 0.05). The quantitative susceptibility mapping values of the symptomatic SCA3/MJD group were higher than those of NC1 in the globus pallidus, but it was not statistically significant ( P = 0.056). No significant difference in quantitative susceptibility mapping values was found between the pre-SCA3/MJD and NC2. No significant correlation was found between the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia and the quantitative susceptibility mapping values. Conclusion The results clearly demonstrated the quantitative susceptibility mapping value increase in the globus pallidus, red nuclei, and substantia nigra of the symptomatic SCA3/MJD group, indicating iron overload in these nuclei, suggesting that iron deposition is associated with disease onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Xie
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, PR China
| | - Liao Weihua
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, PR China
| | - Ouyang Lirong
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, PR China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, PR China
| | - Wu Xing
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, PR China
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12
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Pattern of Cerebellar Atrophy in Friedreich's Ataxia-Using the SUIT Template. THE CEREBELLUM 2019; 18:435-447. [PMID: 30771164 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-019-1008-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies revealed patterns of patchy atrophy within the cerebellum of Friedreich's ataxia patients, missing clear clinico-anatomic correlations. Studies so far are lacking an appropriate registration to the infratentorial space. To circumvent these limitations, we applied a high-resolution atlas template of the human cerebellum and brainstem (SUIT template) to characterize regional cerebellar atrophy in Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) on 3-T MRI data. We used a spatially unbiased voxel-based morphometry approach together with T2-based manual segmentation, T2 histogram analysis, and atlas generation of the dentate nuclei in a representative cohort of 18 FRDA patients and matched healthy controls. We demonstrate that the cerebellar volume in FRDA is generally not significantly different from healthy controls but mild lobular atrophy develops beyond normal aging. The medial parts of lobule VI, housing the somatotopic representation of tongue and lips, are the major site of this lobular atrophy, which possibly reflects speech impairment. Extended white matter affection correlates with disease severity across and beyond the cerebellar inflow and outflow tracts. The dentate nucleus, as a major site of cerebellar degeneration, shows a mean volume loss of about 30%. Remarkably, not the atrophy but the T2 signal decrease of the dentate nuclei highly correlates with disease duration and severity.
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13
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Meira AT, Arruda WO, Ono SE, Neto ADC, Raskin S, Camargo CHF, Teive HAG. Neuroradiological Findings in the Spinocerebellar Ataxias. TREMOR AND OTHER HYPERKINETIC MOVEMENTS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 9:tre-09-682. [PMID: 31632837 PMCID: PMC6765228 DOI: 10.7916/tohm.v0.682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of autosomal dominant degenerative diseases characterized by cerebellar ataxia. Classified according to gene discovery, specific features of the SCAs – clinical, laboratorial, and neuroradiological (NR) – can facilitate establishing the diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to review the particular NR abnormalities in the main SCAs. Methods We conducted a literature search on this topic. Results The main NR characteristics of brain imaging (magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography) in SCAs were: (1) pure cerebellar atrophy; (2) cerebellar atrophy with other findings (e.g., pontine, olivopontocerebellar, spinal, cortical, or subcortical atrophy; “hot cross bun sign”, and demyelinating lesions); (3) selective cerebellar atrophy; (4) no cerebellar atrophy. Discussion The main NR abnormalities in the commonest SCAs, are not pathognomonic of any specific genotype, but can be helpful in limiting the diagnostic options. We are progressing to a better understanding of the SCAs, not only genetically, but also pathologically; NR is helpful in the challenge of diagnosing the specific genotype of SCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Tiburtino Meira
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, BR
| | - Walter Oleschko Arruda
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, BR
| | | | - Arnolfo de Carvalho Neto
- DAPI, Diagnóstico Avançado por Imagem, Curitiba, BR.,Neurological Diseases Group, Graduate Program of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, BR
| | - Salmo Raskin
- Genetika - Centro de aconselhamento e laboratório de genética, Curitiba, BR
| | - Carlos Henrique F Camargo
- Neurological Diseases Group, Graduate Program of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, BR
| | - Hélio Afonso G Teive
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, BR.,Neurological Diseases Group, Graduate Program of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, BR
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14
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Coarelli G, Brice A, Durr A. Recent advances in understanding dominant spinocerebellar ataxias from clinical and genetic points of view. F1000Res 2018; 7. [PMID: 30473770 PMCID: PMC6234732 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.15788.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are rare types of cerebellar ataxia with a dominant mode of inheritance. To date, 47 SCA subtypes have been identified, and the number of genes implicated in SCAs is continually increasing. Polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion diseases (
ATXN1/SCA1,
ATXN2/SCA2,
ATXN3/SCA3,
CACNA1A/SCA6,
ATXN7/SCA7,
TBP/SCA17, and
ATN1/DRPLA) are the most common group of SCAs. No preventive or curative treatments are currently available, but various therapeutic approaches, including RNA-targeting treatments, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), are being developed. Clinical trials of ASOs in SCA patients are already planned. There is, therefore, a need to identify valid outcome measures for such studies. In this review, we describe recent advances towards identifying appropriate biomarkers, which are essential for monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy. Neuroimaging biomarkers are the most powerful markers identified to date, making it possible to reduce sample sizes for clinical trials. Changes on brain MRI are already evident at the premanifest stage in SCA1 and SCA2 carriers and are correlated with CAG repeat size. Other potential biomarkers have also been developed, based on neurological examination, oculomotor study, cognitive assessment, and blood and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Longitudinal studies based on multimodal approaches are required to establish the relationships between parameters and to validate the biomarkers identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Coarelli
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Department of Neurology, Avicenne Hospital, Paris 13 University, Bobigny, 93000, France.,Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Alexis Brice
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Paris, 75013, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Genetic department, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, 75013, France
| | - Alexandra Durr
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne University, Paris, 75013, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Genetic department, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, 75013, France
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15
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Arterial spin labeling MR imaging for the clinical detection of cerebellar hypoperfusion in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration. J Neurol Sci 2018; 394:58-62. [PMID: 30216759 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of cerebellar hypoperfusion in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD). METHODS Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) were obtained from ASL and 123I-IMP single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images by volume-of-interest analysis in patients with SCD (n = 16). Regional CBF were also measured by ASL in age-matched controls (n = 19) and by SPECT in separate controls (n = 17). The cerebellar CBF values were normalized to the CBF values for the whole gray matter (nCBF) in ASL and SPECT. RESULTS The mean cerebellar nCBF measured by ASL was lower in patients with SCD (0.70 ± 0.09) than in the controls (0.91 ± 0.05) (p < 0.001), which was consistent with the comparison using SPECT (0.82 ± 0.05 vs. 0.98 ± 0.05, p < 0.001). The cerebellar nCBF measured by ASL significantly correlated with that determined by SPECT in patients (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS ASL imaging showed decreased cerebellar blood flow, which correlated with that measured by SPECT, in patients with SCD. These findings suggest the clinical utility of noninvasive MRI with ASL for detecting cerebellar hypoperfusion in addition to atrophy, which would aid the diagnosis of SCD.
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16
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Abstract
The dentate nucleus (DN) of the cerebellum is the major output nucleus of the cerebellum and is rich in iron. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) provides better iron-sensitive MRI contrast to delineate the boundary of the DN than either T2-weighted images or susceptibility-weighted images. Prior DN atlases used T2-weighted or susceptibility-weighted images to create DN atlases. Here, we employ QSM images to develop an improved dentate nucleus atlas for use in imaging studies. The DN was segmented in QSM images from 38 healthy volunteers. The resulting DN masks were transformed to a common space and averaged to generate the DN atlas. The center of mass of the left and right sides of the QSM-based DN atlas in the Montreal Neurological Institute space was -13.8, -55.8, and -36.4 mm, and 13.8, -55.7, and -36.4 mm, respectively. The maximal probability and mean probability of the DN atlas with the individually segmented DNs in this cohort were 100 and 39.3%, respectively, in contrast to the maximum probability of approximately 75% and the mean probability of 23.4 to 33.7% with earlier DN atlases. Using QSM, which provides superior iron-sensitive MRI contrast for delineating iron-rich structures, an improved atlas for the dentate nucleus has been generated. The atlas can be applied to investigate the role of the DN in both normal cortico-cerebellar physiology and the variety of disease states in which it is implicated.
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17
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Conventional MRI. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018. [PMID: 29903441 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63956-1.00013-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows for a detailed noninvasive visualization/examination of posterior fossa structures and represents a fundamental step in the diagnostic workup of many cerebellar disorders. In the first part of this chapter methodologic issues, like the correct choice of hardware (magnets, coils), pro and cons of the different MRI sequences, and patient management during the examination are discussed. In the second part, the MRI anatomy of the cerebellum, as noted on the various conventional MRI sequences, as well as a detailed description of cerebellar maturational processes from birth to childhood and into adulthood, are reported. Volumetric studies on the cerebellar growth based on three-dimensional MRI sequences are also presented. Moreover, we briefly discuss two main topics regarding conventional MRI of the cerebellum that have generated some debate in recent years: the differentiation between cerebellar atrophy, hypoplasia, and pontocerebellar hypoplasia, and signal changes of dentate nuclei after repetitive gadolinium-based contrast injections. The advantages and benefits of advanced neuroimaging techniques, including 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion-weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and perfusion-weighted imaging are discussed in the last section of the chapter.
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18
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Apostolakis S, Kypraiou AM. Iron in neurodegenerative disorders: being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Rev Neurosci 2018; 28:893-911. [PMID: 28792913 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2017-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Brain iron deposits have been reported consistently in imaging and histologic examinations of patients with neurodegenerative disorders. While the origins of this finding have not been clarified yet, it is speculated that impaired iron homeostasis or deficient transport mechanisms result in the accumulation of this highly toxic metal ultimately leading to formation of reactive oxygen species and cell death. On the other hand, there are also those who support that iron is just an incidental finding, a by product of neuronal loss. A literature review has been performed in order to present the key findings in support of the iron hypothesis of neurodegeneration, as well as to identify conditions causing or resulting from iron overload and compare and contrast their features with the most prominent neurodegenerative disorders. There is an abundance of experimental and observational findings in support of the hypothesis in question; however, as neurodegeneration is a rare incident of commonly encountered iron-associated disorders of the nervous system, and this metal is found in non-neurodegenerative disorders as well, it is possible that iron is the result or even an incidental finding in neurodegeneration. Understanding the underlying processes of iron metabolism in the brain and particularly its release during cell damage is expected to provide a deeper understanding of the origins of neurodegeneration in the years to come.
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19
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Polimeni JR, Renvall V, Zaretskaya N, Fischl B. Analysis strategies for high-resolution UHF-fMRI data. Neuroimage 2018; 168:296-320. [PMID: 28461062 PMCID: PMC5664177 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.04.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional MRI (fMRI) benefits from both increased sensitivity and specificity with increasing magnetic field strength, making it a key application for Ultra-High Field (UHF) MRI scanners. Most UHF-fMRI studies utilize the dramatic increases in sensitivity and specificity to acquire high-resolution data reaching sub-millimeter scales, which enable new classes of experiments to probe the functional organization of the human brain. This review article surveys advanced data analysis strategies developed for high-resolution fMRI at UHF. These include strategies designed to mitigate distortion and artifacts associated with higher fields in ways that attempt to preserve spatial resolution of the fMRI data, as well as recently introduced analysis techniques that are enabled by these extremely high-resolution data. Particular focus is placed on anatomically-informed analyses, including cortical surface-based analysis, which are powerful techniques that can guide each step of the analysis from preprocessing to statistical analysis to interpretation and visualization. New intracortical analysis techniques for laminar and columnar fMRI are also reviewed and discussed. Prospects for single-subject individualized analyses are also presented and discussed. Altogether, there are both specific challenges and opportunities presented by UHF-fMRI, and the use of proper analysis strategies can help these valuable data reach their full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Polimeni
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States.
| | - Ville Renvall
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - Natalia Zaretskaya
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bruce Fischl
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
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20
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Sarro L, Nanetti L, Castaldo A, Mariotti C. Monitoring disease progression in spinocerebellar ataxias: implications for treatment and clinical research. Expert Rev Neurother 2017; 17:919-931. [PMID: 28805093 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2017.1364628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are autosomal dominant diseases characterized by progressive gait and limb incoordination, disequilibrium, dysarthria, and eye movement disturbances. Approximately 40 genetic subtypes of SCAs are known and classified according to the causative disease gene/locus. With the possibility of the specific genetic diagnosis in patients and at-risk family members, several clinical scales and functional tests have been validated and used in ataxic patients with the purposes of measuring the entity of disease progression in natural history studies and the possible slowing of neurological impairment in therapeutic trials. Areas covered: This paper reviews the most widely used clinical scales and quantitative tests that contributed in monitoring disease progression of the most common forms of SCAs. Expert commentary: The currently available and validated clinical scales and quantitative performance scores are adequate to measure disease severity, but may require a considerable number of subjects and a long period of treatment to allow the recognition of beneficial effect of interventional therapies. Advanced MRI techniques are a consistent biomarker and maybe useful to track disease progression from the preclinical to the manifest ataxic phase in association with appropriate clinical or paraclinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Sarro
- a Unit of Genetics of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta , Milan , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Nanetti
- a Unit of Genetics of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta , Milan , Italy
| | - Anna Castaldo
- a Unit of Genetics of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta , Milan , Italy
| | - Caterina Mariotti
- a Unit of Genetics of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases , Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta , Milan , Italy
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21
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Milne SC, Corben LA, Georgiou-Karistianis N, Delatycki MB, Yiu EM. Rehabilitation for Individuals With Genetic Degenerative Ataxia: A Systematic Review. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2017; 31:609-622. [PMID: 28595509 DOI: 10.1177/1545968317712469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of genetic degenerative ataxia is currently based on symptom management and maintenance of function. However, utilization of rehabilitation is limited due to a lack of evidence supporting its efficacy. OBJECTIVE This systematic review evaluated rehabilitation interventions for individuals with genetic degenerative ataxia. In addition, long-term outcomes from rehabilitation and optimal duration and intensity of rehabilitation were examined. METHODS A comprehensive search of 4 databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PEDro, and Cochrane) identified randomized, nonrandomized controlled, and cohort studies published from inception through to January 2016. The studies included at least one measure examining function, ataxia, balance, or gait. Methodological quality was assessed with the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Hierarchy of Evidence and the randomized controlled trials were rated according to the PEDro scale. RESULTS Seventeen studies met eligibility criteria. Five randomized controlled trials were included; however, the majority were classified as level III-3 and IV studies. Of 292 participants included, 148 had autosomal dominant ataxia, and 85 had autosomal recessive ataxia. Rehabilitation interventions included coordination and balance training, multifaceted inpatient rehabilitation, a cycling regime, balance exercises with technology assisted biofeedback, respiratory muscle training, and treadmill training. Two studies examined adjuncts to rehabilitation. Fifteen of the 17 studies demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in at least 1 outcome measuring ataxia, function, gait, or balance. Less than half of the studies included assessment of long-term outcomes and follow-up time frames varied considerably. CONCLUSION There is consistent evidence that rehabilitation improves function, mobility, ataxia, and balance in genetic degenerative ataxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Milne
- 1 Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,2 Kingston Centre, Monash Health, Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia.,3 Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louise A Corben
- 1 Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,3 Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,4 Monash Medical Centre, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,5 The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Martin B Delatycki
- 1 Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,3 Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,5 The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,6 Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eppie M Yiu
- 1 Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,5 The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,7 The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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22
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Deistung A, Schweser F, Reichenbach JR. Overview of quantitative susceptibility mapping. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2017; 30:e3569. [PMID: 27434134 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic susceptibility describes the magnetizability of a material to an applied magnetic field and represents an important parameter in the field of MRI. With the recently introduced method of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and its conceptual extension to susceptibility tensor imaging (STI), the non-invasive assessment of this important physical quantity has become possible with MRI. Both methods solve the ill-posed inverse problem to determine the magnetic susceptibility from local magnetic fields. Whilst QSM allows the extraction of the spatial distribution of the bulk magnetic susceptibility from a single measurement, STI enables the quantification of magnetic susceptibility anisotropy, but requires multiple measurements with different orientations of the object relative to the main static magnetic field. In this review, we briefly recapitulate the fundamental theoretical foundation of QSM and STI, as well as computational strategies for the characterization of magnetic susceptibility with MRI phase data. In the second part, we provide an overview of current methodological and clinical applications of QSM with a focus on brain imaging. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Deistung
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Ferdinand Schweser
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, NY, USA
- MRI Clinical and Translational Research Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jürgen R Reichenbach
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Michael Stifel Center for Data-driven and Simulation Science Jena, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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23
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Wang Y, Spincemaille P, Liu Z, Dimov A, Deh K, Li J, Zhang Y, Yao Y, Gillen KM, Wilman AH, Gupta A, Tsiouris AJ, Kovanlikaya I, Chiang GCY, Weinsaft JW, Tanenbaum L, Chen W, Zhu W, Chang S, Lou M, Kopell BH, Kaplitt MG, Devos D, Hirai T, Huang X, Korogi Y, Shtilbans A, Jahng GH, Pelletier D, Gauthier SA, Pitt D, Bush AI, Brittenham GM, Prince MR. Clinical quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM): Biometal imaging and its emerging roles in patient care. J Magn Reson Imaging 2017; 46:951-971. [PMID: 28295954 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) has enabled magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tissue magnetic susceptibility to advance from simple qualitative detection of hypointense blooming artifacts to precise quantitative measurement of spatial biodistributions. QSM technology may be regarded to be sufficiently developed and validated to warrant wide dissemination for clinical applications of imaging isotropic susceptibility, which is dominated by metals in tissue, including iron and calcium. These biometals are highly regulated as vital participants in normal cellular biochemistry, and their dysregulations are manifested in a variety of pathologic processes. Therefore, QSM can be used to assess important tissue functions and disease. To facilitate QSM clinical translation, this review aims to organize pertinent information for implementing a robust automated QSM technique in routine MRI practice and to summarize available knowledge on diseases for which QSM can be used to improve patient care. In brief, QSM can be generated with postprocessing whenever gradient echo MRI is performed. QSM can be useful for diseases that involve neurodegeneration, inflammation, hemorrhage, abnormal oxygen consumption, substantial alterations in highly paramagnetic cellular iron, bone mineralization, or pathologic calcification; and for all disorders in which MRI diagnosis or surveillance requires contrast agent injection. Clinicians may consider integrating QSM into their routine imaging practices by including gradient echo sequences in all relevant MRI protocols. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:951-971.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Pascal Spincemaille
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zhe Liu
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Alexey Dimov
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Kofi Deh
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jianqi Li
- Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Yihao Yao
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Kelly M Gillen
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alan H Wilman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ajay Gupta
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Ilhami Kovanlikaya
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Jonathan W Weinsaft
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Weiwei Chen
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Wenzhen Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Shixin Chang
- Department of Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Min Lou
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Brian H Kopell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael G Kaplitt
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - David Devos
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Lille, Lille, France.,Department of Neurology and Movement Disorders, University of Lille, Lille, France.,Department of Toxicology, Public Health and Environment, University of Lille, Lille, France.,INSERM U1171, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Toshinori Hirai
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Xuemei Huang
- Department of Neurology, Penn State University-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Penn State University-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State University-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Radiology, Penn State University-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yukunori Korogi
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Alexander Shtilbans
- Department of Neurology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.,Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Geon-Ho Jahng
- Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Daniel Pelletier
- Department of Neurology, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Susan A Gauthier
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - David Pitt
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ashley I Bush
- Oxidation Biology Unit, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gary M Brittenham
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, Children's Hospital of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Martin R Prince
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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24
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Cerebellum: from Fundamentals to Translational Approaches. The Seventh International Symposium of the Society for Research on the Cerebellum. THE CEREBELLUM 2016; 15:1-4. [PMID: 26744149 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-015-0752-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In terms of cerebellar research and ataxiology, a most fascinating period is currently going on. Numerous academic groups are now focusing their innovative research on the so-called little brain, hidden at the bottom of our brain. Indeed, its unique anatomical features make the cerebellum a wonderful window to address major questions about the central nervous system. The seventh international symposium of the SRC was held in Brussels at the Palace of Academies from May 8 to 10, 2015. The main goal of this dense symposium was to gather in a 2-day meeting senior researchers of exceptional scientific quality and talented junior scientists from all over the world working in the multidisciplinary field of cerebellar research. Fundamental and clinical researchers shared the latest knowledge and developments in this rapidly growing field. New ideas, addressed in a variety of inspiring talks, provoked a vivid debate. Advances in genetics, development, electrophysiology, neuroimaging, neurocognition and affect, as well as in the cerebellar ataxias and the controversies on the roles and functions of the cerebellum were presented. The Ferdinando Rossi lecture and the key-note lecture were delivered by Jan Voogd and Chris De Zeeuw, respectively. Contacts between researchers of different neuroscientific disciplines established a robust basis for novel trends and promising new cooperations between researchers and their centers spread all over the world.
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