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Hok P, Thai QT, Bučková BR, Domin M, Řasová K, Tintěra J, Lotze M, Grothe M, Hlinka J. Global functional connectivity reorganization reflects cognitive processing speed deficits and fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2024:e16421. [PMID: 39058296 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cognitive impairment (CI) in multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with bidirectional changes in resting-state centrality measures. However, practicable functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) biomarkers of CI are still lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the graph-theory-based degree rank order disruption index (kD) and its association with cognitive processing speed as a marker of CI in patients with MS (PwMS) in a secondary cross-sectional fMRI analysis. METHODS Differentiation between PwMS and healthy controls (HCs) using kD and its correlation with CI (Symbol Digit Modalities Test) was compared to established imaging biomarkers (regional degree, volumetry, diffusion-weighted imaging, lesion mapping). Additional associations were assessed for fatigue (Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions), gait and global disability. RESULTS Analysis in 56 PwMS and 58 HCs (35/27 women, median age 45.1/40.5 years) showed lower kD in PwMS than in HCs (median -0.30/-0.06, interquartile range 0.55/0.54; p = 0.009, Mann-Whitney U test), yielding acceptable yet non-superior differentiation (area under curve 0.64). kD and degree in medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) correlated with CI (kD/MPFC Spearman's ρ = 0.32/-0.45, p = 0.019/0.001, n = 55). kD also explained fatigue (ρ = -0.34, p = 0.010, n = 56) but neither gait nor disability. CONCLUSIONS kD is a potential biomarker of CI and fatigue warranting further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Hok
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Functional Imaging Unit, Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Quang Thong Thai
- Functional Imaging Unit, Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Barbora Rehák Bučková
- Department of Complex Systems, Institute of Computer Science of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Domin
- Functional Imaging Unit, Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kamila Řasová
- Department of Rehabilitation, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jaroslav Tintěra
- Radiodiagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Lotze
- Functional Imaging Unit, Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Grothe
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jaroslav Hlinka
- Department of Complex Systems, Institute of Computer Science of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
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Meza C, Stefan C, Staines WR, Feinstein A. A preliminary investigation of sex differences in cognitive and fMRI changes following 28 days of cannabis abstinence. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 89:105759. [PMID: 39024968 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105759] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have investigated the influence of cannabis on cognition among people with MS (pwMS), yet the influence of sex in the context of cannabis use remains unexplored. We aim to fill this gap by investigating cannabis-sex related differences in verbal learning, memory and processing speed in association with fMRI (resting state, and task-based) metrics. METHOD Our sample consisted of 19 long-term, frequent cannabis users (8 males, 11 females). Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 28 days of cannabis abstinence. The tests included measures of verbal memory (Selective Reminding Test (SRT)), working memory (n-back), information processing speed (Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)) and the resting state DMN. To evaluate the effects of cannabis abstinence, we performed a group x time interaction analysis using repeated measures ANCOVA. This analysis controlled for several covariates, including the level of disability (EDSS), baseline cannabis THC metabolite levels, and cannabis withdrawal symptoms. By controlling for these variables, we aimed to isolate the impact of cannabis abstinence on cognitive performance over time. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS There were no baseline cognitive differences between the sexes. After 28 days of cannabis abstinence, females performed better on the Selective Reminding Test (SRT) (p = 0.04), with a large effect size (η² = 0.286). The mean correct response improved over time for females, but there was no statistically significant group x time interaction on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and the n-back task. Resting state default mode network data showed overall increased activation in females relative to males at day 28, which meshed with lower brain activation during task-based fMRI paradigms. CONCLUSION Cannabis negated sex-based cognitive differences. Functional MRI task-based paradigms revealed less cerebral activation in females compared to males, which was associated with comparable or better cognitive performance in females, particularly after cannabis abstinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Meza
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Division of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cristiana Stefan
- Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - W Richard Staines
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony Feinstein
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Division of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Baldini S, Morelli ME, Sartori A, Pasquin F, Dinoto A, Bratina A, Bosco A, Manganotti P. Microstates in multiple sclerosis: an electrophysiological signature of altered large-scale networks functioning? Brain Commun 2022; 5:fcac255. [PMID: 36601622 PMCID: PMC9806850 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis has a highly variable course and disabling symptoms even in absence of associated imaging data. This clinical-radiological paradox has motivated functional studies with particular attention to the resting-state networks by functional MRI. The EEG microstates analysis might offer advantages to study the spontaneous fluctuations of brain activity. This analysis investigates configurations of voltage maps that remain stable for 80-120 ms, termed microstates. The aim of our study was to investigate the temporal dynamic of microstates in patients with multiple sclerosis, without reported cognitive difficulties, and their possible correlations with clinical and neuropsychological parameters. We enrolled fifty relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and 24 healthy subjects, matched for age and sex. Demographic and clinical data were collected. All participants underwent to high-density EEG in resting-state and analyzed 15 min free artefact segments. Microstates analysis consisted in two processes: segmentation, to identify specific templates, and back-fitting, to quantify their temporal dynamic. A neuropsychological assessment was performed by the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis. Repeated measures two-way ANOVA was run to compare microstates parameters of patients versus controls. To evaluate association between clinical, neuropsychological and microstates data, we performed Pearsons' correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression to estimate possible predictions. The alpha value was set to 0.05. We found six templates computed across all subjects. Significant differences were found in most of the parameters (global explained variance, time coverage, occurrence) for the microstate Class A (P < 0.001), B (P < 0.001), D (P < 0.001), E (P < 0.001) and F (P < 0.001). In particular, an increase of temporal dynamic of Class A, B and E and a decrease of Class D and F were observed. A significant positive association of disease duration with the mean duration of Class A was found. Eight percent of patients with multiple sclerosis were found cognitive impaired, and the multiple linear regression analysis showed a strong prediction of Symbol Digit Modalities Test score by global explained variance of Class A. The EEG microstate analysis in patients with multiple sclerosis, without overt cognitive impairment, showed an increased temporal dynamic of the sensory-related microstates (Class A and B), a reduced presence of the cognitive-related microstates (Class D and F), and a higher activation of a microstate (Class E) associated to the default mode network. These findings might represent an electrophysiological signature of brain reorganization in multiple sclerosis. Moreover, the association between Symbol Digit Modalities Test and Class A may suggest a possible marker of overt cognitive dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Baldini
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital ASUGI, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria Elisa Morelli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital ASUGI, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Arianna Sartori
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital ASUGI, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fulvio Pasquin
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital ASUGI, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dinoto
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital ASUGI, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessio Bratina
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital ASUGI, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonio Bosco
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital ASUGI, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Manganotti
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital ASUGI, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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Grothe M, Jochem K, Strauss S, Langner S, Kirsch M, Hoffeld K, Penner IK, Nagels G, Klepzig K, Domin M, Lotze M. Performance in information processing speed is associated with parietal white matter tract integrity in multiple sclerosis. Front Neurol 2022; 13:982964. [DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.982964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is most frequently used to test processing speed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Functional imaging studies emphasize the importance of frontal and parietal areas for task performance, but the influence of frontoparietal tracts has not been thoroughly studied. We were interested in tract-specific characteristics and their association with processing speed in MS patients.MethodsDiffusion tensor imaging was obtained in 100 MS patients and 24 healthy matched controls to compare seed-based tract characteristics descending from the superior parietal lobule [Brodman area 7A (BA7A)], atlas-based tract characteristics from the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and control tract characteristics from the corticospinal tract (CST) and their respective association with ability on the SDMT.ResultsPatients had decreased performance on the SDMT and decreased white matter volume (each p < 0.05). The mean fractional anisotropy (FA) for the BA7A tract and CST (p < 0.05), but not the SLF, differed between MS patients and controls. Furthermore, only the FA of the SLF was positively associated with SDMT performance even after exclusion of the lesions within the tract (r = 0.25, p < 0.05). However, only disease disability and total white matter volume were associated with information processing speed in a linear regression model.ConclusionsProcessing speed in MS is associated with the structural integrity of frontoparietal white matter tracts.
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Interplay Between Cognitive and Bowel/Bladder Function in Multiple Sclerosis. Int Neurourol J 2021; 25:310-318. [PMID: 33957715 PMCID: PMC8748300 DOI: 10.5213/inj.2040346.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of bowel/bladder dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its associations with cognitive impairment. Methods We prospectively enrolled 150 MS patients. Patients were administered the Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT), the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Score (NBDS), and the Actionable Bladder Symptom Screening Tool (ABSST). The associations between bowel/bladder dysfunction and cognitive function were assessed through hierarchical regression models using the SDMT and clinicodemographic features as independent variables and NBDS and ABSST scores as dependent variables. Results The prevalence of bowel/bladder deficits was 44.7%, with 26 patients (17.3%) suffering from bowel deficits and 60 patients (40%) from bladder deficits. The total NBDS and ABSST scores were correlated with the SDMT (β=-0.10, P<0.001 and β=-0.03, P=0.04, respectively) after correction for demographic features and physical disability. Conclusions Bowel/bladder disorders are common in MS and are associated with both physical and cognitive disability burdens. As SDMT is embedded into routine clinical assessments, a lower score may warrant investigating bowel/bladder dysfunction due to the strong interplay of these factors.
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Buyukturkoglu K, Zeng D, Bharadwaj S, Tozlu C, Mormina E, Igwe KC, Lee S, Habeck C, Brickman AM, Riley CS, De Jager PL, Sumowski JF, Leavitt VM. Classifying multiple sclerosis patients on the basis of SDMT performance using machine learning. Mult Scler 2020; 27:107-116. [DOI: 10.1177/1352458520958362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To build a model to predict cognitive status reflecting structural, functional, and white matter integrity changes in early multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Based on Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) performance, 183 early MS patients were assigned “lower” or “higher” performance groups. Three-dimensional (3D)-T2, T1, diffusion weighted, and resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were acquired in 3T. Using Random Forest, five models were trained to classify patients into two groups based on 1—demographic/clinical, 2—lesion volume/location, 3—local/global tissue volume, 4—local/global diffusion tensor imaging, and 5—whole-brain resting-state-functional-connectivity measures. In a final model, all important features from previous models were concatenated. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values were calculated to evaluate classifier performance. Results: The highest AUC value (0.90) was achieved by concatenating all important features from neuroimaging models. The top 10 contributing variables included volumes of bilateral nucleus accumbens and right thalamus, mean diffusivity of left cingulum-angular bundle, and functional connectivity among hubs of seven large-scale networks. Conclusion: These results provide an indication of a non-random brain pattern mostly compromising areas involved in attentional processes specific to patients who perform worse in SDMT. High accuracy of the final model supports this pattern as a potential neuroimaging biomarker of subtle cognitive changes in early MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korhan Buyukturkoglu
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dana Zeng
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Srinidhi Bharadwaj
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ceren Tozlu
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Enricomaria Mormina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Policlinico Universitario “G. Martino,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy/Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Kay C Igwe
- Department of Neurology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, G.H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seonjoo Lee
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA/Mental Health Data Science, Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christian Habeck
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adam M Brickman
- Department of Neurology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, G.H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claire S Riley
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Philip L De Jager
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA/Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - James F Sumowski
- Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Victoria M Leavitt
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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