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Romanò F, Valsasina P, Pagani E, De Simone A, Parolin E, Filippi M, Rocca MA. Structural and functional correlates of disability, motor and cognitive performances in multiple sclerosis: Focus on the globus pallidus. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 86:105576. [PMID: 38579567 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105576] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore structural and functional alterations of external (GPe) and internal (GPi) globus pallidus in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) compared to healthy controls (HC) and analyze their relationship with measures of clinical disability, motor and cognitive impairment. METHODS Sixty pwMS and 30 HC comparable for age and sex underwent 3.0T MRI, including conventional, diffusion tensor MRI and resting state (RS) functional MRI. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were rated and timed 25-foot walk (T25FW) test, nine-hole peg test (9HPT), and paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT) were administered. Two operators segmented the GP into GPe and GPi. Volumes, T1/T2 ratio, diffusivity indices and seed-based RS functional connectivity (FC) of the GP and its components were assessed. RESULTS PwMS had no atrophy or altered diffusivity measures of the GP. Compared to HC, pwMS had higher T1/T2 ratio in both GP regions, which correlated with EDSS score (r = 0.26-0.39, p = 0.01-0.05). RS FC analysis highlighted component-specific functional alterations in pwMS: the GPe had decreased RS FC with fronto-parietal cortices, whereas the GPi had decreased intra-GP RS FC and increased RS FC with the thalamus. Worse EDSS, 9HPT, T25FW and PASAT scores were associated with GP RS FC modifications (r=-0.51‒0.51, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Structural GP involvement in MS was homogeneous across its portions. Increased T1/T2 ratio values, possibly representing iron accumulation, were related to more severe disability. RS FC alterations of the GPe and GPi were consistent with their roles within the basal ganglia network and correlated with worse functional status, suggesting less efficient communication between structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Romanò
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Valsasina
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Pagani
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice De Simone
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Emma Parolin
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Neurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria A Rocca
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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2
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Clarkson BDS, Grund E, David K, Johnson RK, Howe CL. ISGylation is induced in neurons by demyelination driving ISG15-dependent microglial activation. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:258. [PMID: 36261842 PMCID: PMC9583544 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02618-4] [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: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The causes of grey matter pathology and diffuse neuron injury in MS remain incompletely understood. Axonal stress signals arising from white matter lesions has been suggested to play a role in initiating this diffuse grey matter pathology. Therefore, to identify the most upstream transcriptional responses in neurons arising from demyelinated axons, we analyzed the transcriptome of actively translating neuronal transcripts in mouse models of demyelinating disease. Among the most upregulated genes, we identified transcripts associated with the ISGylation pathway. ISGylation refers to the covalent attachment of the ubiquitin-like molecule interferon stimulated gene (ISG) 15 to lysine residues on substrates targeted by E1 ISG15-activating enzyme, E2 ISG15-conjugating enzymes and E3 ISG15-protein ligases. We further confirmed that ISG15 expression is increased in MS cortical and deep gray matter. Upon investigating the functional impact of neuronal ISG15 upregulation, we noted that ISG15 expression was associated changes in neuronal extracellular vesicle protein and miRNA cargo. Specifically, extracellular vesicle-associated miRNAs were skewed toward increased frequency of proinflammatory and neurotoxic miRNAs and decreased frequency of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective miRNAs. Furthermore, we found that ISG15 directly activated microglia in a CD11b-dependent manner and that microglial activation was potentiated by treatment with EVs from neurons expressing ISG15. Further study of the role of ISG15 and ISGylation in neurons in MS and neurodegenerative diseases is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D. S. Clarkson
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA ,grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Guggenheim 1521C, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Ethan Grund
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA ,grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XMayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Medical Scientist Training Program, MN 55905 Rochester, USA
| | - Kenneth David
- grid.418935.20000 0004 0436 053XConcordia College, Moorhead, MN USA
| | - Renee K. Johnson
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Charles L. Howe
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA ,grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDivision of Experimental Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA ,grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XCenter for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
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3
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Stulík J, Keřkovský M, Kuhn M, Svobodová M, Benešová Y, Bednařík J, Šprláková-Puková A, Mechl M, Dostál M. Evaluating Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Properties Together with Brain Volumetry May Predict Progression to Multiple Sclerosis. Acad Radiol 2022; 29:1493-1501. [PMID: 35067451 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2021.12.015] [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: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Although the gold standard in predicting future progression from clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) consists in the McDonald criteria, efforts are being made to employ various advanced MRI techniques for predicting clinical progression. This study's main aim was to evaluate the predictive power of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the brain and brain volumetry to distinguish between patients having CIS with future progression to CDMS from those without progression during the following 2 years and to compare those parameters with conventional MRI evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS All participants underwent an MRI scan of the brain. DTI and volumetric data were processed and various parameters were compared between the study groups. RESULTS We found significant differences between the subgroups of patients differing by future progression to CDMS in most of those DTI and volumetric parameters measured. Fractional anisotropy of water diffusion proved to be the strongest predictor of clinical conversion among all parameters evaluated, demonstrating also higher specificity compared to evaluation of conventional MRI images according to McDonald criteria. CONCLUSION Conclusion: Our results provide evidence that the evaluation of DTI parameters together with brain volumetry in patients with early-stage CIS may be useful in predicting conversion to CDMS within the following 2 years of the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Stulík
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Jihlavská 20 Brno, 62500, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miloš Keřkovský
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Jihlavská 20 Brno, 62500, Czech Republic; Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Masaryk University, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Matyáš Kuhn
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Behavioural and Social Neuroscience, CEITEC Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Svobodová
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Yvonne Benešová
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Bednařík
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Šprláková-Puková
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Jihlavská 20 Brno, 62500, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Mechl
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Jihlavská 20 Brno, 62500, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Dostál
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Jihlavská 20 Brno, 62500, Czech Republic; Department of Biophysics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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4
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Collorone S, Prados F, Kanber B, Cawley NM, Tur C, Grussu F, Solanky BS, Yiannakas M, Davagnanam I, Wheeler-Kingshott CAMG, Barkhof F, Ciccarelli O, Toosy AT. Brain microstructural and metabolic alterations detected in vivo at onset of the first demyelinating event. Brain 2021; 144:1409-1421. [PMID: 33903905 PMCID: PMC8219367 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In early multiple sclerosis, a clearer understanding of normal-brain tissue microstructural and metabolic abnormalities will provide valuable insights into its pathophysiology. We used multi-parametric quantitative MRI to detect alterations in brain tissues of patients with their first demyelinating episode. We acquired neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging [to investigate morphology of neurites (dendrites and axons)] and 23Na MRI (to estimate total sodium concentration, a reflection of underlying changes in metabolic function). In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 42 patients diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome or multiple sclerosis within 3 months of their first demyelinating event and 16 healthy controls. Physical and cognitive scales were assessed. At 3 T, we acquired brain and spinal cord structural scans, and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging. Thirty-two patients and 13 healthy controls also underwent brain 23Na MRI. We measured neurite density and orientation dispersion indices and total sodium concentration in brain normal-appearing white matter, white matter lesions, and grey matter. We used linear regression models (adjusting for brain parenchymal fraction and lesion load) and Spearman correlation tests (significance level P ≤ 0.01). Patients showed higher orientation dispersion index in normal-appearing white matter, including the corpus callosum, where they also showed lower neurite density index and higher total sodium concentration, compared with healthy controls. In grey matter, compared with healthy controls, patients demonstrated: lower orientation dispersion index in frontal, parietal and temporal cortices; lower neurite density index in parietal, temporal and occipital cortices; and higher total sodium concentration in limbic and frontal cortices. Brain volumes did not differ between patients and controls. In patients, higher orientation dispersion index in corpus callosum was associated with worse performance on timed walk test (P = 0.009, B = 0.01, 99% confidence interval = 0.0001 to 0.02), independent of brain and lesion volumes. Higher total sodium concentration in left frontal middle gyrus was associated with higher disability on Expanded Disability Status Scale (rs = 0.5, P = 0.005). Increased axonal dispersion was found in normal-appearing white matter, particularly corpus callosum, where there was also axonal degeneration and total sodium accumulation. The association between increased axonal dispersion in the corpus callosum and worse walking performance implies that morphological and metabolic alterations in this structure could mechanistically contribute to disability in multiple sclerosis. As brain volumes were neither altered nor related to disability in patients, our findings suggest that these two advanced MRI techniques are more sensitive at detecting clinically relevant pathology in early multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Collorone
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ferran Prados
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.,Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Baris Kanber
- Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Niamh M Cawley
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Carmen Tur
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesco Grussu
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Computer Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Bhavana S Solanky
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marios Yiannakas
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Indran Davagnanam
- Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, University College London Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, UCL, London, UK
| | - Claudia A M Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Brain MRI 3T Research Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, University College London Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, UCL, London, UK.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit, The Netherlands.,National Institute for Health Research, University College London Hospitals, Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Olga Ciccarelli
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,National Institute for Health Research, University College London Hospitals, Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Ahmed T Toosy
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
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5
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De Meo E, Storelli L, Moiola L, Ghezzi A, Veggiotti P, Filippi M, Rocca MA. In vivo gradients of thalamic damage in paediatric multiple sclerosis: a window into pathology. Brain 2021; 144:186-197. [PMID: 33221873 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The thalamus represents one of the first structures affected by neurodegenerative processes in multiple sclerosis. A greater thalamic volume reduction over time, on its CSF side, has been described in paediatric multiple sclerosis patients. However, its determinants and the underlying pathological changes, likely occurring before this phenomenon becomes measurable, have never been explored. Using a multiparametric magnetic resonance approach, we quantified, in vivo, the different processes that can involve the thalamus in terms of focal lesions, microstructural damage and atrophy in paediatric multiple sclerosis patients and their distribution according to the distance from CSF/thalamus interface and thalamus/white matter interface. In 70 paediatric multiple sclerosis patients and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, we tested for differences in thalamic volume and quantitative MRI metrics-including fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity and T1/T2-weighted ratio-in the whole thalamus and in thalamic white matter, globally and within concentric bands originating from CSF/thalamus interface. In paediatric multiple sclerosis patients, the relationship of thalamic abnormalities with cortical thickness and white matter lesions was also investigated. Compared to healthy controls, patients had significantly increased fractional anisotropy in whole thalamus (f2 = 0.145; P = 0.03), reduced fractional anisotropy (f2 = 0.219; P = 0.006) and increased mean diffusivity (f2 = 0.178; P = 0.009) in thalamic white matter and a trend towards a reduced thalamic volume (f2 = 0.027; P = 0.058). By segmenting the whole thalamus and thalamic white matter into concentric bands, in paediatric multiple sclerosis we detected significant fractional anisotropy abnormalities in bands nearest to CSF (f2 = 0.208; P = 0.002) and in those closest to white matter (f2 range = 0.183-0.369; P range = 0.010-0.046), while we found significant mean diffusivity (f2 range = 0.101-0.369; P range = 0.018-0.042) and T1/T2-weighted ratio (f2 = 0.773; P = 0.001) abnormalities in thalamic bands closest to CSF. The increase in fractional anisotropy and decrease in mean diffusivity detected at the CSF/thalamus interface correlated with cortical thickness reduction (r range = -0.27-0.34; P range = 0.004-0.028), whereas the increase in fractional anisotropy detected at the thalamus/white matter interface correlated with white matter lesion volumes (r range = 0.24-0.27; P range = 0.006-0.050). Globally, our results support the hypothesis of heterogeneous pathological processes, including retrograde degeneration from white matter lesions and CSF-mediated damage, leading to thalamic microstructural abnormalities, likely preceding macroscopic tissue loss. Assessing thalamic microstructural changes using a multiparametric magnetic resonance approach may represent a target to monitor the efficacy of neuroprotective strategies early in the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermelinda De Meo
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Loredana Storelli
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Moiola
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Ghezzi
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Ospedale di Gallarate, Gallarate, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Veggiotti
- Paediatric Neurology Unit, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Biomedical and Clinical Science Department, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Neurophysiology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria A Rocca
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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6
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Woitek R, Leutmezer F, Dal-Bianco A, Furtner J, Kasprian G, Prayer D, Schöpf V. Diffusion tensor imaging of the normal-appearing deep gray matter in primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Acta Radiol 2020; 61:85-92. [PMID: 31169410 DOI: 10.1177/0284185119852735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Despite strongly overlapping patterns of clinical and histopathologic findings in primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, differences concerning motor symptoms, central nervous system inflammation, atrophy, and demyelination that cannot be accounted for by lesion load alone remain to be elucidated. Purpose To evaluate the normal-appearing deep gray matter in patients with primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, diffusion tensor imaging was used in this study. Material and Methods In 14 multiple sclerosis patients with primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, axial echo-planar single-shot diffusion tensor imaging sequences with 32 diffusion-encoding directions and axial FLAIR sequences were acquired on a 3T system using an eight-channel SENSE head coil. FLAIR hyperintense multiple sclerosis lesions were outlined semi-automatically and normal-appearing deep gray matter was outlined manually (caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, thalamus, substantia nigra, and red nucleus). Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity values within the normal-appearing deep gray matter for the two groups were compared. Results Interhemispheric differences in mean diffusivity values (but not in fractional anisotropy), were significantly higher in primary progressive multiple sclerosis than in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis for the substantia nigra ( P = 0.04) and the putamen ( P = 0.021). Volumes, mean diffusivity, or fractional anisotropy of the remaining normal-appearing deep gray matter did not differ significantly. Conclusion This study showed a higher interhemispheric difference in the mean diffusivity in the substantia nigra and putamen in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis than in those with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. These changes may represent edema, as well as axonal and myelin loss that can affect the normal-appearing deep gray matter of the two hemispheres differently and may point to differences in the laterality of motor symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Woitek
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fritz Leutmezer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Julia Furtner
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Kasprian
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Prayer
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Schöpf
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
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Van Schependom J, Guldolf K, D'hooghe MB, Nagels G, D'haeseleer M. Detecting neurodegenerative pathology in multiple sclerosis before irreversible brain tissue loss sets in. Transl Neurodegener 2019; 8:37. [PMID: 31827784 PMCID: PMC6900860 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-019-0178-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex chronic inflammatory and degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Accelerated brain volume loss, or also termed atrophy, is currently emerging as a popular imaging marker of neurodegeneration in affected patients, but, unfortunately, can only be reliably interpreted at the time when irreversible tissue damage likely has already occurred. Timing of treatment decisions based on brain atrophy may therefore be viewed as suboptimal. Main body This Narrative Review focuses on alternative techniques with the potential of detecting neurodegenerative events in the brain of subjects with MS prior to the atrophic stage. First, metabolic and molecular imaging provide the opportunity to identify early subcellular changes associated with energy dysfunction, which is an assumed core mechanism of axonal degeneration in MS. Second, cerebral hypoperfusion has been observed throughout the entire clinical spectrum of the disorder but it remains an open question whether this serves as an alternative marker of reduced metabolic activity, or exists as an independent contributing process, mediated by endothelin-1 hyperexpression. Third, both metabolic and perfusion alterations may lead to repercussions at the level of network performance and structural connectivity, respectively assessable by functional and diffusion tensor imaging. Fourth and finally, elevated body fluid levels of neurofilaments are gaining interest as a biochemical mirror of axonal damage in a wide range of neurological conditions, with early rises in patients with MS appearing to be predictive of future brain atrophy. Conclusions Recent findings from the fields of advanced neuroradiology and neurochemistry provide the promising prospect of demonstrating degenerative brain pathology in patients with MS before atrophy has installed. Although the overall level of evidence on the presented topic is still preliminary, this Review may pave the way for further longitudinal and multimodal studies exploring the relationships between the abovementioned measures, possibly leading to novel insights in early disease mechanisms and therapeutic intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Van Schependom
- 1Neurology Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussel, Belgium.,2Radiology Department Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kaat Guldolf
- 1Neurology Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Marie Béatrice D'hooghe
- 1Neurology Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussel, Belgium.,Nationaal Multiple Sclerose Centrum, Melsbroek, Belgium
| | - Guy Nagels
- 1Neurology Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussel, Belgium.,Nationaal Multiple Sclerose Centrum, Melsbroek, Belgium
| | - Miguel D'haeseleer
- 1Neurology Department, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussel, Belgium.,Nationaal Multiple Sclerose Centrum, Melsbroek, Belgium
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8
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Imaging in mice and men: Pathophysiological insights into multiple sclerosis from conventional and advanced MRI techniques. Prog Neurobiol 2019; 182:101663. [PMID: 31374243 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.101663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most important tool for diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS). However, MRI is still unable to precisely quantify the specific pathophysiological processes that underlie imaging findings in MS. Because autopsy and biopsy samples of MS patients are rare and biased towards a chronic burnt-out end or fulminant acute early stage, the only available methods to identify human disease pathology are to apply MRI techniques in combination with subsequent histopathological examination to small animal models of MS and to transfer these insights to MS patients. This review summarizes the existing combined imaging and histopathological studies performed in MS mouse models and humans with MS (in vivo and ex vivo), to promote a better understanding of the pathophysiology that underlies conventional MRI, diffusion tensor and magnetization transfer imaging findings in MS patients. Moreover, it provides a critical view on imaging capabilities and results in MS patients and mouse models and for future studies recommends how to combine those particular MR sequences and parameters whose underlying pathophysiological basis could be partly clarified. Further combined longitudinal in vivo imaging and histopathological studies on rationally selected, appropriate mouse models are required.
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9
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Baird JF, Hubbard EA, Sutton BP, Motl RW. The relationship between corticospinal tract integrity and lower-extremity strength is attenuated when controlling for age and sex in multiple sclerosis. Brain Res 2018; 1701:171-176. [PMID: 30213666 PMCID: PMC7906425 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Muscle weakness, particularly in the lower-extremities, is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and seemingly results from damage along white matter pathways in the central nervous system including the corticospinal tract (CST). This study examined CST structural integrity indicated by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) related metrics (fractional anisotropy [FA], mean diffusivity [MD], radial diffusivity [RD], and axial diffusivity [AD]) as correlates of knee flexor (KF) and knee extensor (KE) muscle strength in MS. We included 36 persons with MS who underwent MRI and measurements of peak KE and KF strength using an isokinetic dynamometer. We examined associations using bivariate Spearman (rs) and partial Spearman correlation (prs) analyses controlling for age and sex. Peak KF strength was significantly associated with FA (rs = 0.42) and RD (rs = -0.36) and peak KE strength was significantly associated with MD (rs = -0.47) and RD (rs = -0.36). The correlations were attenuated after controlling for age and sex, but the relationship between KF strength and FA demonstrated a trend towards significance (prs = 0.33, p = 0.056). We provide evidence that the anatomical integrity of the CST may be associated with lower-extremity strength in MS. The attenuated correlations when controlling for age and sex suggest these factors, rather than MS per se, may be important contributors toward an association between CST DTI-metrics and KF and KE strength. Future rehabilitation trials of resistance training should consider including CST integrity as an outcome and/or predictor of strength adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica F Baird
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A Hubbard
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Bradley P Sutton
- Bioengineering and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Robert W Motl
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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10
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Jakimovski D, Weinstock-Guttman B, Hagemeier J, Vaughn CB, Kavak KS, Gandhi S, Bennett SE, Fuchs TA, Bergsland N, Dwyer MG, Benedict RH, Zivadinov R. Walking disability measures in multiple sclerosis patients: Correlations with MRI-derived global and microstructural damage. J Neurol Sci 2018; 393:128-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2018.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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11
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Zivadinov R, Hagemeier J, Bergsland N, Tavazzi E, Weinstock‐Guttman B. Effect of dimethyl fumarate on gray and white matter pathology in subjects with relapsing multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study. Eur J Neurol 2018; 25:584-e36. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.13562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Zivadinov
- Department of Neurology Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo State University of New York Buffalo NY USA
- Translational Imaging Center at Clinical and Translational Science Institute Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo State University of New York Buffalo NY USA
| | - J. Hagemeier
- Department of Neurology Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo State University of New York Buffalo NY USA
| | - N. Bergsland
- Department of Neurology Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo State University of New York Buffalo NY USA
| | - E. Tavazzi
- Department of Neurology Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo State University of New York Buffalo NY USA
| | - B. Weinstock‐Guttman
- Department of Neurology Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo State University of New York Buffalo NY USA
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12
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Moroso A, Ruet A, Lamargue-Hamel D, Munsch F, Deloire M, Coupé P, Charré-Morin J, Saubusse A, Ouallet JC, Planche V, Tourdias T, Dousset V, Brochet B. Microstructural analyses of the posterior cerebellar lobules in relapsing-onset multiple sclerosis and their implication in cognitive impairment. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182479. [PMID: 28792528 PMCID: PMC5549727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The posterior cerebellar lobules seem to be the anatomical substrate of cognitive cerebellar processes, but their microstructural alterations in multiple sclerosis (MS) remain unclear. OBJECTIVES To correlate diffusion metrics in lobules VI to VIIIb in persons with clinically isolated syndrome (PwCIS) and in cognitively impaired persons with MS (CIPwMS) with their cognitive performances. METHODS Sixty-nine patients (37 PwCIS, 32 CIPwMS) and 36 matched healthy subjects (HS) underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging, including 3D T1-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated within each lobule and in the cerebellar peduncles. We investigated the correlations between cognitive outcomes and the diffusion parameters of cerebellar sub-structures and performed multiple linear regression analysis to predict cognitive disability. RESULTS FA was generally lower and MD was higher in the cerebellum and specifically in the vermis Crus II, lobules VIIb and VIIIb in CIPwMS compared with PwCIS and HS. In hierarchical regression analyses, 31% of the working memory z score variance was explained by FA in the left lobule VI and in the left superior peduncle. Working memory was also associated with MD in the vermis Crus II. FA in the left lobule VI and right VIIIa predicted part of the information processing speed (IPS) z scores. CONCLUSION DTI indicators of cerebellar microstructural damage were associated with cognitive deficits in MS. Our results suggested that cerebellar lobular alterations have an impact on attention, working memory and IPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Moroso
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, & Services de Neurologie et Neuroradiologie, Bordeaux, France
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Aurélie Ruet
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, & Services de Neurologie et Neuroradiologie, Bordeaux, France
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Fanny Munsch
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mathilde Deloire
- CHU de Bordeaux, INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, & Services de Neurologie et Neuroradiologie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierrick Coupé
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- LaBRI, UMR 5800, PICTURA, Talence, France
| | - Julie Charré-Morin
- CHU de Bordeaux, INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, & Services de Neurologie et Neuroradiologie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Aurore Saubusse
- CHU de Bordeaux, INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, & Services de Neurologie et Neuroradiologie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Ouallet
- CHU de Bordeaux, INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, & Services de Neurologie et Neuroradiologie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Vincent Planche
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Thomas Tourdias
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, & Services de Neurologie et Neuroradiologie, Bordeaux, France
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Vincent Dousset
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, & Services de Neurologie et Neuroradiologie, Bordeaux, France
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Bruno Brochet
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, & Services de Neurologie et Neuroradiologie, Bordeaux, France
- Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, Bordeaux, France
- * E-mail:
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13
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Planche V, Ruet A, Coupé P, Lamargue-Hamel D, Deloire M, Pereira B, Manjon JV, Munsch F, Moscufo N, Meier DS, Guttmann CR, Dousset V, Brochet B, Tourdias T. Hippocampal microstructural damage correlates with memory impairment in clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2016; 23:1214-1224. [PMID: 27780913 DOI: 10.1177/1352458516675750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) could reveal early hippocampal damage and clinically relevant correlates of memory impairment in persons with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS A total of 37 persons with CIS, 32 with MS and 36 controls prospectively included from 2011 to 2014 were tested for cognitive performances and scanned with 3T-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess volumetric and DTI changes within the hippocampus, whole brain volume and T2-lesion load. RESULTS While there was no hippocampal atrophy in the CIS group, hippocampal fractional anisotropy (FA) was significantly decreased compared to controls. Decrease in hippocampal FA together with increased mean diffusivity (MD) was even more prominent in MS patients. In CIS, hippocampal MD was correlated with episodic verbal memory performance ( r = -0.57, p = 0.0002 and odds ratio (OR) = 0.058, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.0057-0.59, p = 0.016 adjusted for age, gender, depression and T2-lesion load), but not with cognitive tasks unrelated to hippocampal functions. Hippocampal MD was the only variable discriminating memory-impaired from memory-preserved persons with CIS (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.77, sensitivity = 90.0%, specificity = 70.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) = 52.9%, negative predictive value (NPV) = 95.0%). CONCLUSION DTI alterations within the hippocampus might reflect early neurodegenerative processes that are correlated with episodic memory performance, discriminating persons with CIS according to their memory status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Planche
- Universite de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France/Inserm U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France/Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Aurélie Ruet
- Universite de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France/Inserm U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France/Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierrick Coupé
- Laboratoire Bordelais de Recherche en Informatique (LaBRI), Talence, France
| | - Delphine Lamargue-Hamel
- Universite de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France/Inserm U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mathilde Deloire
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Bruno Pereira
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - José V Manjon
- Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Fanny Munsch
- Universite de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France/Inserm U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nicola Moscufo
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dominik S Meier
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles Rg Guttmann
- Universite de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vincent Dousset
- Universite de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France/Inserm U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France/Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Bruno Brochet
- Universite de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France/Inserm U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France/Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Thomas Tourdias
- Universite de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France/Inserm U1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France/Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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14
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Labiano-Fontcuberta A, Mato-Abad V, Álvarez-Linera J, Hernández-Tamames JA, Martínez-Ginés ML, Aladro Y, Ayuso L, Domingo-Santos Á, Benito-León J. Gray Matter Involvement in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e3208. [PMID: 27043685 PMCID: PMC4998546 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000003208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The unanticipated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection in the brain of asymptomatic subjects of white matter lesions suggestive of multiple sclerosis has recently been named as radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS). The pathophysiological processes of RIS remain largely unknown and questions as to whether gray matter alterations actually occur in this entity are yet to be investigated in more detail. By means of a 3 T multimodal MRI approach, we searched for cortical and deep gray matter changes in a cohort of RIS patients. Seventeen RIS patients, 17 clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients (median disease duration from symptom onset = 12 months), and 17 healthy controls underwent MRI and neuropsychological testing. Normalized deep gray matter volumes and regional cortical thickness were assessed using FreeSurfer. SIENAX was used to obtain normalized global and cortical brain volumes. Voxelwise morphometry analysis was performed by using SPM8 software to localize regions of brain tissue showing significant changes of fractional anisotropy or mean diffusivity. Although no differences were observed between CIS and healthy controls groups, RIS patients showed significantly lower normalized cortical volume (673 ± 27.07 vs 641 ± 35.88 [cm³ × 10³, Tukey P test = 0.009) and mean thalamic volume (0.0051 ± 0.4 vs 0.0046 ± 0.4 mm, P = 0.014) compared with healthy controls. RIS patients also showed significant thinning in a number of cortical areas, that were primarily distributed in frontal and temporal lobes (P < 0.05, uncorrected). Strong correlations were observed between T2-white matter lesion volume and regional cortical thickness (rho spearman ranging from 0.60 to 0.80). Our data suggest that white matter lesions on T2-weighted images are not the only hallmark of RIS. Future longitudinal studies with larger samples are warranted to better clarify the effect of RIS-related white matter lesions on gray matter tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Labiano-Fontcuberta
- From the Department of Neurology, University Hospital "12 de Octubre" (AL-F, AD-S, JB-L); Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Biomedical Technology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Móstoles (VM-A, JAH-T); Department of Radiology, Hospital Ruber International (JA-L); Department of Neurology, University Hospital "Gregorio Marañón," Madrid, Spain (MLM-G); Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Getafe, Getafe (YA); Department of Neurology, University Hospital "Principe de Asturias," Alcalá de Henares (LA); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) (JB-L); and Department of Medicine, Complutense University (JB-L), Madrid, Spain
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15
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Muthuraman M, Fleischer V, Kolber P, Luessi F, Zipp F, Groppa S. Structural Brain Network Characteristics Can Differentiate CIS from Early RRMS. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:14. [PMID: 26869873 PMCID: PMC4735423 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Focal demyelinated lesions, diffuse white matter (WM) damage, and gray matter (GM) atrophy influence directly the disease progression in patients with multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was to identify specific characteristics of GM and WM structural networks in subjects with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) in comparison to patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Twenty patients with CIS, 33 with RRMS, and 40 healthy subjects were investigated using 3 T-MRI. Diffusion tensor imaging was applied, together with probabilistic tractography and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps for WM and cortical thickness correlation analysis for GM, to determine the structural connectivity patterns. A network topology analysis with the aid of graph theoretical approaches was used to characterize the network at different community levels (modularity, clustering coefficient, global, and local efficiencies). Finally, we applied support vector machines (SVM) to automatically discriminate the two groups. In comparison to CIS subjects, patients with RRMS were found to have increased modular connectivity and higher local clustering, highlighting increased local processing in both GM and WM. Both groups presented increased modularity and clustering coefficients in comparison to healthy controls. SVM algorithms achieved 97% accuracy using the clustering coefficient as classifier derived from GM and 65% using WM from probabilistic tractography and 67% from modularity of FA maps to differentiate between CIS and RRMS patients. We demonstrate a clear increase of modular and local connectivity in patients with early RRMS in comparison to CIS and healthy subjects. Based only on a single anatomic scan and without a priori information, we developed an automated and investigator-independent paradigm that can accurately discriminate between patients with these clinically similar disease entities, and could thus complement the current dissemination-in-time criteria for clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muthuraman Muthuraman
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Center of the Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Mainz, Germany
| | - Vinzenz Fleischer
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Center of the Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Mainz, Germany
| | - Pierre Kolber
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Center of the Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Mainz, Germany
| | - Felix Luessi
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Center of the Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Mainz, Germany
| | - Frauke Zipp
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Center of the Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Mainz, Germany
| | - Sergiu Groppa
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Center of the Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Mainz, Germany
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16
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Gunbey HP, Gunbey E, Aslan K, Bulut T, Unal A, Incesu L. Limbic-Auditory Interactions of Tinnitus: An Evaluation Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging. Clin Neuroradiol 2015; 27:221-230. [DOI: 10.1007/s00062-015-0473-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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17
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Bisecco A, Rocca MA, Pagani E, Mancini L, Enzinger C, Gallo A, Vrenken H, Stromillo ML, Copetti M, Thomas DL, Fazekas F, Tedeschi G, Barkhof F, Stefano ND, Filippi M. Connectivity-based parcellation of the thalamus in multiple sclerosis and its implications for cognitive impairment: A multicenter study. Hum Brain Mapp 2015; 36:2809-25. [PMID: 25873194 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In this multicenter study, we performed a tractography-based parcellation of the thalamus and its white matter connections to investigate the relationship between thalamic connectivity abnormalities and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS). Dual-echo, morphological and diffusion tensor (DT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were collected from 52 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 57 healthy controls from six European centers. Patients underwent an extensive neuropsychological assessment. Thalamic connectivity defined regions (CDRs) were segmented based on their cortical connectivity using diffusion tractography-based parcellation. Between-group differences of CDRs and cortico-thalamic tracts DT MRI indices were assessed. A vertex analysis of thalamic shape was also performed. A random forest analysis was run to identify the best imaging predictor of global cognitive impairment and deficits of specific cognitive domains. Twenty-two (43%) MS patients were cognitively impaired (CI). Compared to cognitively preserved, CI MS patients had increased fractional anisotropy of frontal, motor, postcentral and occipital connected CDRs (0.002<P<0.02). They also experienced more pronounced atrophy in anterior thalamic regions and abnormal DT MRI indices of all cortico-thalamic tracts. Damage of specific cortico-thalamic tracts explained global cognitive dysfunction and impairment of selected cognitive domains better than all other MRI variables. Thalamic CDR DT MRI abnormalities were correlated with abnormalities of the corresponding cortico-thalamic tracts. Cortico-thalamic disconnection is, at various levels, implicated in cognitive dysfunction in MS. Thalamic involvement in CI MS patients is likely related to gray matter rather than white matter damage of thalamic subregions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvino Bisecco
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,I Division of Neurology, Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.,MRI Center "SUN-FISM," Second University of Naples and Institute of Diagnosis and Care "Hermitage-Capodimonte,", Naples, Italy
| | - Maria A Rocca
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Pagani
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Mancini
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Antonio Gallo
- I Division of Neurology, Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.,MRI Center "SUN-FISM," Second University of Naples and Institute of Diagnosis and Care "Hermitage-Capodimonte,", Naples, Italy
| | - Hugo Vrenken
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, MS Centre Amsterdam, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Massimiliano Copetti
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - David L Thomas
- Neuroradiological Academic Unit, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
| | - Franz Fazekas
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Gioacchino Tedeschi
- I Division of Neurology, Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.,MRI Center "SUN-FISM," Second University of Naples and Institute of Diagnosis and Care "Hermitage-Capodimonte,", Naples, Italy
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, MS Centre Amsterdam, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicola De Stefano
- Department of Neurological and Behavioral Sciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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18
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Kipp M, Wagenknecht N, Beyer C, Samer S, Wuerfel J, Nikoubashman O. Thalamus pathology in multiple sclerosis: from biology to clinical application. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:1127-47. [PMID: 25417212 PMCID: PMC11113280 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1787-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
There is a broad consensus that MS represents more than an inflammatory disease: it harbors several characteristic aspects of a classical neurodegenerative disorder, i.e. damage to axons, synapses and nerve cell bodies. While the clinician is equipped with appropriate tools to dampen peripheral cell recruitment and, thus, is able to prevent immune-cell driven relapses, effective therapeutic options to prevent the simultaneously progressing neurodegeneration are still missing. Furthermore, while several sophisticated paraclinical methods exist to monitor the inflammatory-driven aspects of the disease, techniques to monitor progression of early neurodegeneration are still in their infancy and have not been convincingly validated. In this review article, we aim to elaborate why the thalamus with its multiple reciprocal connections is sensitive to pathological processes occurring in different brain regions, thus acting as a "barometer" for diffuse brain parenchymal damage in MS. The thalamus might be, thus, an ideal region of interest to test the effectiveness of new neuroprotective MS drugs. Especially, we will address underlying pathological mechanisms operant during thalamus degeneration in MS, such as trans-neuronal or Wallerian degeneration. Furthermore, we aim at giving an overview about different paraclinical methods used to estimate the extent of thalamic pathology in MS patients, and we discuss their limitations. Finally, thalamus involvement in different MS animal models will be described, and their relevance for the design of preclinical trials elaborated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Kipp
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Wendlingweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany,
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