van Erp S, Ercan E, Breedveld P, Brakenhoff L, Ghariq E, Schmid S, Osch MV, van Buchem M, Emmer B, van der Grond J, Wolterbeek R, Hommes D, Fidder H, van der Wee N, Huizinga T, van der Heijde D, Middelkoop H, Ronen I, van der Meulen-de Jong A. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging in quiescent Crohn’s disease patients with fatigue.
World J Gastroenterol 2017;
23:1018-1029. [PMID:
28246475 PMCID:
PMC5311090 DOI:
10.3748/wjg.v23.i6.1018]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM
To evaluate brain involvement in quiescent Crohn’s disease (CD) patients with fatigue using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
METHODS
Multiple MRI techniques were used to assess cerebral changes in 20 quiescent CD patients with fatigue (defined with at least 6 points out of an 11-point numeric rating scale compared with 17 healthy age and gender matched controls without fatigue. Furthermore, mental status was assessed by cognitive functioning, based on the neuropsychological inventory including the different domains global cognitive functioning, memory and executive functioning and in addition mood and quality of life scores. Cognitive functioning and mood status were correlated with MRI findings in the both study groups.
RESULTS
Reduced glutamate + glutamine (Glx = Glu + Gln) concentrations (P = 0.02) and ratios to total creatine (P = 0.02) were found in CD patients compared with controls. Significant increased Cerebral Blood Flow (P = 0.05) was found in CD patients (53.08 ± 6.14 mL/100 g/min) compared with controls (47.60 ± 8.62 mL/100 g/min). CD patients encountered significantly more depressive symptoms (P < 0.001). Cognitive functioning scores related to memory (P = 0.007) and executive functioning (P = 0.02) were lower in CD patients and both scores showed correlation with depression and anxiety. No correlation was found subcortical volumes between CD patients and controls in the T1-weighted analysis. In addition, no correlation was found between mental status and MRI findings.
CONCLUSION
This work shows evidence for perfusion, neurochemical and mental differences in the brain of CD patients with fatigue compared with healthy controls.
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