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Friedrich I, von Kuenheim D, Wozniak D, Meyer P, Mauche N, Huang J, Classen J, Strauss M, Rumpf JJ. No evidence of structural abnormality of the substantia nigra in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a pilot cross-sectional cohort study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1395836. [PMID: 38873538 PMCID: PMC11169831 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1395836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Abnormal expansion of the echogenic substantia nigra (SN+) is a common observation in Parkinson's disease (PD) and considered a potential trait marker within this context. However, SN+ was also frequently detected in children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), where it has been discussed as a biomarker of maturational dopaminergic dysfunction. Interestingly, ADHD was recently linked to an elevated risk of PD in epidemiological studies, particularly among individuals treated with psychostimulants. Here, we investigated the potential of SN echogenicity as a disease biomarker in adults with ADHD and its relation to psychostimulant treatment. Methods In an exploratory cross-sectional cohort study, we performed transcranial sonography of the SN in 30 adults (mean age 33.3 ± 7.6 years, 19 males/11 females) diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-V criteria. Results and conclusions In this pilot study, we observed no evidence of structural abnormalities of the SN among adults diagnosed with ADHD, thus questioning the potential of SN+ as a biomarker for ADHD in this population. Moreover, we found no evidence of treatment-related SN echogenicity changes that would link therapeutic psychostimulant use to alterations in the structural integrity of the SN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Friedrich
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - David Wozniak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick Meyer
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nicole Mauche
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jue Huang
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Joseph Classen
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria Strauss
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jost-Julian Rumpf
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Measurement of the adult human midbrain with transcranial ultrasound. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247920. [PMID: 33647059 PMCID: PMC7920378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcranial sonography is increasingly used to aid clinical diagnoses of movement disorders, for example, to identify an enlarged area of substantia nigra echogenicity in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Objective The current study investigated characteristics of the midbrain at the anatomical plane for quantification of substantia nigra echogenicity. METHODS: Area of substantia nigra echogenicity, cross-sectional area of the midbrain, and interpeduncular angle were quantified in two groups of adults aged 18–50 years: 47 healthy non-drug-using controls (control group) and 22 individuals with a history of methamphetamine use (methamphetamine group), a cohort with a high prevalence of enlarged substantia nigra echogenicity and thus risk of Parkinson’s disease. Results In the control group, cross-sectional area of the midbrain (4.47±0.44 cm2) and interpeduncular angle were unaffected by age, sex, or image acquisition side. In the methamphetamine group, cross-sectional midbrain area (4.72±0.60 cm2) and area of substantia nigra echogenicity were enlarged compared to the control group, and the enlargement was sex-dependent (larger in males than females). Whole midbrain area and interpeduncular angle were found to be weak predictors of area of substantia nigra echogenicity after accounting for group and sex. Conclusions History of methamphetamine use is associated with an enlarged midbrain and area of substantia nigra echogenicity, and the abnormality is more pronounced in males than females. Thus, males may be more susceptible to methamphetamine-induced changes to the brainstem, and risk of Parkinson’s disease, than females.
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Mašková J, Školoudík D, Štofaniková P, Ibarburu V, Kemlink D, Zogala D, Trnka J, Krupička R, Šonka K, Růžička E, Dušek P. Comparative study of the substantia nigra echogenicity and 123I-Ioflupane SPECT in patients with synucleinopathies with and without REM sleep behavior disorder. Sleep Med 2020; 70:116-123. [PMID: 32403038 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN) and abnormal dopamine transporter-single-photon emission computed tomography (DAT-SPECT) are biomarkers commonly used in the assessment of prodromal synucleinopathy. Our goals were as follows: (1) to compare echogenicity of SN in idiopathic rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder (iRBD), Parkinson's disease (PD) without RBD (PD-noRBD), PD with RBD (PD + RBD), and control subjects; and (2) to examine association between SN degeneration assessed by DAT-SPECT and SN echogenicity. PATIENTS/METHODS A total of 61 subjects with confirmed iRBD were examined using Movement Disorders Society-unified PD rating scale (MDS-UPDRS), TCS (transcranial sonography) and DAT-SPECT. The results were compared with 44 patients with PD (25% PD + RBD) and with 120 age-matched healthy subjects. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The abnormal SN area was found in 75.5% PD, 23% iRBD and 7.3% controls. Median SN echogenicity area in PD (0.27 ± 0.22 cm2) was higher compared to iRBD (0.07 ± 0.07 cm2; p < 0.0001) and controls (0.05 ± 0.03 cm2; p < 0.0001). SN echogenicity in PD + RBD was not significantly different from PD-noRBD (0.30 vs. 0.22, p = 0.15). Abnormal DAT-SPECT was found in 16 iRBD (25.4%) and 44 PD subjects (100%). No correlation between the larger SN area and corresponding putaminal binding index was found in iRBD (r = -0.13, p = 0.29), nor in PD (r = -0.19, p = 0.22). The results of our study showed that: (1) SN echogenicity area in iRBD was higher compared to controls, but the hyperechogenicity was present only in a minority of iRBD patients; (2) SN echogenicity and DAT-SPECT binding index did not correlate in either group; and (3) SN echogenicity does not differ between PD with/without RBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mašková
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - D Školoudík
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - P Štofaniková
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | - V Ibarburu
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | - D Kemlink
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | - D Zogala
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Trnka
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | - R Krupička
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Republic
| | - K Šonka
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | - E Růžička
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
| | - P Dušek
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital Prague, Czech Republic
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Xu R, Chen G, Mao Z, Gao H, Deng Y, Tao A. Diagnostic Performance of Transcranial Sonography for Evaluating Substantia Nigra Hyper-echogenicity in Patients with Parkinson's Disease. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2020; 46:1208-1215. [PMID: 32102740 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
To determine the diagnostic performance of transcranial sonography (TCS) in assessing increased echogenic area of the substantia nigra (SN) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Institutional review board approval was obtained for this retrospective study. A total of 278 PD patients (mean age: 64.7 ± 9.8 y, 100 women) and 300 healthy control patients (mean age: 63.6 ± 9.3 y, 97 women) were referred for TCS assessment of SN hyper-echogenicity (SN+) from June 2016 to December 2018. Two sonographers independently measured the sizes of the echogenic areas of the SN by TCS imaging in both PD patients and healthy controls. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of TCS imaging were compared between PD patients and healthy controls. Inter-rater agreement was assessed with the Cohen's κ statistic. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of readers 1 and 2, respectively, for the identification of SN+ in TCS were 90.3% and 89.6% (251 and 249 of 278), 89.3% and 88.3% (268 and 265 of 300) and 89.8% and 88.9% (519 and 514 of 578). Inter-observer agreement was excellent (к = 0.84). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for differentiation of PD patients from healthy controls was 0.92 for reader 1 and 0.91 for reader 2. Cutoff values of 0.20 and 0.21 cm2 were derived from the assessments performed by readers 1 and 2, respectively. We defined 0.20 cm2 as the optimal cutoff value because it had a higher AUC. TCS is a promising diagnostic technique and can be very helpful in differentiating PD patients from healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renfan Xu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guangzhi Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhijuan Mao
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongling Gao
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Youbin Deng
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Anyu Tao
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Li T, Shi J, Qin B, Fan D, Liu N, Ni J, Zhang T, Zhou H, Xu X, Wei M, Zhang X, Wang X, Liu J, Wang Y, Tian J. Increased substantia nigra echogenicity correlated with visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease: a Chinese population-based study. Neurol Sci 2019; 41:661-667. [PMID: 31754876 PMCID: PMC7039836 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-04110-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
As a noninvasive technique, transcranial sonography (TCS) of substantia nigra (SN) has gradually showed its effectiveness not only in diagnosis but also in understanding clinical features of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This study aimed to further evaluate TCS for clinical diagnosis of PD, and to explore the association between sonographic manifestations and visual hallucinations (VH). A total of 226 subjects including 141 PD patients and 85 controls were recruited. All participants received TCS. A series of rating scales to evaluate motor and non-motor symptoms were performed in PD patients. Results showed that 172 subjects were successfully assessed by TCS. The area of SN was greater in PD patients than that in controls (P < 0.001). As receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed, the best cutoff value for the larger SN echogenicity size was 23.5 mm2 (sensitivity 70.3%, specificity 77.0%). Patients with VH had larger SN area (P = 0.019), as well as higher Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) scores (P = 0.018). Moreover, binary logistic regression analysis indicated that SN hyperechogenicity (odds ratio = 4.227, P = 0.012) and NMSS scores (odds ratio = 0.027, P = 0.042) could be the independent predictors for VH. In conclusion, TCS can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s disease. Increased SN echogenicity is correlated with VH in Parkinson’s disease, possibly because the brain stem is involved in the mechanism in the onset of VH. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- The Neurology Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jing Shi
- The Neurology Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Bin Qin
- Beijing Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Na Liu
- Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jingnian Ni
- The Neurology Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Tianqing Zhang
- The Neurology Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Hufang Zhou
- The Neurology Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xiaoqing Xu
- The Neurology Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Mingqing Wei
- The Neurology Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xuekai Zhang
- The Neurology Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xiangzhu Wang
- The Neurology Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jianping Liu
- Center for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yongyan Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jinzhou Tian
- The Neurology Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China.
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Midbrain area for differentiating Parkinson’s disease from progressive supranuclear palsy. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2019; 183:105383. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2019.105383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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7
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Tao A, Chen G, Deng Y, Xu R. Accuracy of Transcranial Sonography of the Substantia Nigra for Detection of Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:628-641. [PMID: 30612821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of substantia nigra hyper-echogenicity by transcranial sonography (TCS) for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were electronically searched from inception to June 2018 for all relevant studies. The methodological quality of each study was evaluated by two independent reviewers, who used the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Articles reporting information sufficient to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of TCS to diagnose PD were included. Statistical analysis included data pooling, heterogeneity testing, sensitivity analyses and forest meta-regression. Thirty-nine studies (3123 participants with PD) were analyzed. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of TCS were 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.81-0.87) and 0.85 (0.80-0.88), respectively, for differentiating PD from normal controls or participants with other parkinsonian syndromes. In the secondary outcome, PD participants exhibited a significant increase in substantia nigra areas than either normal controls (0.14 [0.12-0.16], p < 0.0001) or participants with other parkinsonian syndromes (0.11 [0.08-0.13], p < 0.0001). This meta-analysis revealed the high diagnostic performance of TCS in differentiating patients with PD from both normal controls and participants with other parkinsonian syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anyu Tao
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guangzhi Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Youbin Deng
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Renfan Xu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Toomsoo T, Liepelt-Scarfone I, Berg D, Kerner R, Pool AH, Kadastik-Eerme L, Rubanovits I, Asser T, Taba P. Effect of Age on Substantia Nigra Hyper-echogenicity in Parkinson's Disease Patients and Healthy Controls. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2019; 45:122-128. [PMID: 30482710 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Substantia nigra (SN) hyper-echogenicity (SN+) describes an enlargement (>90th percentile) of the area of echogenicity at the anatomic site of the SN in the midbrain detected by transcranial sonography. This ultrasound sign has proven to be a valuable marker supporting the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although there is considerable variation in the extent of echogenic signals at the anatomic site of the SN among PD patients, previous work suggests that SN+ is a stable marker throughout the course of the disease. The present study focused on two aspects: (i) determining whether SN+ values differ between the sides, mirroring the asymmetric character of the disease; and (ii) determining whether age has an influence on SN echogenicity. This cross-sectional study included 300 PD patients and 200 healthy controls. SN+ was measured planimetrically by transcranial sonography. Echogenicity was analyzed separately for onset and non-onset sides, with onset side defined as the SN contralateral to the side of the body that first manifested PD-related motor impairment. Age of the patients and healthy controls at study time was used for correlation. We found that the onset SN+ contralateral to the side of initial motor symptoms was on average 17.6% larger than its counterpart. However, we also found that contrary to the control group, where an increase in age was associated with an increase in size of SN+, age of PD patients was associated with a decline in size of the onset SN+. Furthermore, SN measured at the onset side of PD patients correlated significantly with patient age and Hoehn and Yahr stage, a scale that grades PD severity, although this was not the case for the non-onset side. The present study indicates that changes in SN echogenicity have a different dynamic depending on the onset side of the disease. The age at study time had a significantly negative effect on the size of onset SN+, the effect on the non-onset side was non-significant. We conclude that for appropriate PD analysis, onset SN+ is a more important marker than the average of both sides of SN. Furthermore, we found that among healthy controls, the size of SN+ increases with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toomas Toomsoo
- Center of Neurology, East Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Inga Liepelt-Scarfone
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Center of Neurology, Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research and German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniela Berg
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Center of Neurology, Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research and German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Neurology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | | | - Liis Kadastik-Eerme
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Inna Rubanovits
- Center of Neurology, East Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Toomas Asser
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pille Taba
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Drepper C, Geißler J, Pastura G, Yilmaz R, Berg D, Romanos M, Gerlach M. Transcranial sonography in psychiatry as a potential tool in diagnosis and research. World J Biol Psychiatry 2018; 19:484-496. [PMID: 28971725 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2017.1386325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES During the last two decades transcranial sonography (TCS) of the brain parenchyma evolved from a pure research tool to a clinical relevant neuroimaging method especially in Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders. The aim of this systematic review is to update and summarise the published TCS findings in psychiatric disorders and critically address the question whether TCS may be a valuable tool for the diagnosis or differential diagnosis of psychiatric disorders similarly to the field of movement disorders. METHODS This paper provides detailed information about the perspectives and limitations of TCS, including guidelines for the scanning procedures, assessment of midbrain structures and discusses the potential causes of the ultrasound abnormalities in psychiatric disorders. RESULTS Changes in the echogenicity of subcortical brain structures were detected in different disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, panic disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD), bipolar disorder and depressive disorder. Although the physical properties of brain tissue underlying the echogenic features in TCS are largely unknown, no alternative technique provides the same insight into the specific central nervous structural characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Urgent research questions to further clarify the underlying pathophysiological and structural alterations are further outlined to bring this promising technique to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Drepper
- a Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University Hospital of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany
| | - Julia Geißler
- a Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University Hospital of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany
| | - Giuseppe Pastura
- b Department of Pediatrics , The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Rezzak Yilmaz
- c Department of Neurology , Christian-Albrecht-University , Kiel , Germany
| | - Daniela Berg
- c Department of Neurology , Christian-Albrecht-University , Kiel , Germany.,d Department of Neurodegeneration , University of Tübingen , Tübingen , Germany
| | - Marcel Romanos
- a Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University Hospital of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany
| | - Manfred Gerlach
- a Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University Hospital of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany
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Heldmann M, Heeren J, Klein C, Rauch L, Hagenah J, Münte TF, Kasten M, Brüggemann N. Neuroimaging abnormalities in individuals exhibiting Parkinson's disease risk markers. Mov Disord 2018; 33:1412-1422. [PMID: 29756356 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The concept of prodromal Parkinson's disease (PD) involves variable combinations of nonmotor features and subtle motor abnormalities as a result of ongoing neurodegeneration in the brain stem including substantia nigra (SN) and abnormal findings upon transcranial sonography and nuclear imaging. Except for nuclear imaging, the predictive value of risk markers for the conversion to overt PD is low. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether PD risk markers are associated with changes in brain structure and to what extent cognitive changes are risk markers for PD. METHODS Diffusion-weighted imaging, voxel-based morphometry, and cortical thickness analysis was performed in 29 individuals with hyposmia and/or an increased SN hyperechogenicity (SN+) upon transcranial sonography and 28 controls without these 2 risk markers. Classical parkinsonian signs were an exclusion criterion. All of the participants underwent a neuropsychological test battery addressing executive functions, learning ability, and verbal fluency. RESULTS In the PD risk group, diffusion-weighted imaging mean diffusivity was increased in 4 left hemisphere clusters (posterior thalamus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, fornix, corticospinal tract). A negative relationship of mean diffusivity and smell function was present for the posterior thalamus and the corticospinal tract. There was a significant correlation of mean diffusivity values and SN+ in all clusters. Neither voxel-based morphometry nor cortical thickness analysis revealed any group differences. No relevant group differences were observed for cognitive tests included. CONCLUSION PD-free individuals with PD risk markers show microstructural changes of the white matter, including areas relevant for motor and limbic processes. In addition, our study provides for the first time a neuroanatomical correlate for SN hyperechogenicity. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Heldmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Janna Heeren
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christine Klein
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Linus Rauch
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Johann Hagenah
- Department of Neurology, Westküstenklinikum Heide, Heide, Germany
| | - Thomas F Münte
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Meike Kasten
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Norbert Brüggemann
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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11
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Favaretto S, Walter U, Baracchini C, Cagnin A. Transcranial Sonography in Neurodegenerative Diseases with Cognitive Decline. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 61:29-40. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-170382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Favaretto
- Department of Neurosciences (DNS), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Uwe Walter
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Annachiara Cagnin
- Department of Neurosciences (DNS), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- San Camillo Hospital IRCCS, Venice, Italy
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Rumpf JJ, Albers J, Fricke C, Mueller W, Classen J. Structural abnormality of substantia nigra induced by methamphetamine abuse. Mov Disord 2017; 32:1784-1788. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.27205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jana Albers
- Department of Neurology; University of Leipzig; Leipzig Germany
| | | | - Wolf Mueller
- Department of Neuropathology; University of Leipzig; Leipzig Germany
| | - Joseph Classen
- Department of Neurology; University of Leipzig; Leipzig Germany
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13
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Vázquez-Costa JF, Tembl JI, Fornés-Ferrer V, Cardona F, Morales-Caba L, Fortea G, Pérez-Tur J, Sevilla T. Genetic and constitutional factors are major contributors to substantia nigra hyperechogenicity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7119. [PMID: 28769074 PMCID: PMC5541052 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07835-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra (SNh) is a frequent finding in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other movement disorders (MD) patients, but its meaning is unclear. To ascertain the contribution of different factors to SNh area, we measured it in 108 ALS, 102 PD, 91 other MD patients and 91 healthy controls. Demographical data were collected in all patients and controls. In ALS patients, we also recorded clinical variables, performed genetic analysis and measured baseline levels of ferritin. After family history and genetic testing, ALS patients were classified as familial (15) or sporadic (93). ALS, PD and other MD patients had a larger SNh area than controls. Left SNh and male gender, but not age, associated with larger SNh area in both patients and controls. Familial ALS patients showed larger SNh area than sporadic ones and familial ALS was the only clinical variable in the multivariate analysis to be associated with larger SNh area in ALS patients. Our results suggest that SNh associates with genetic and constitutional factors (male gender, handedness), some of which predispose to certain neurodegenerative diseases. This evidence supports the idea of SNh as an inborn marker of unspecific neuronal vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F Vázquez-Costa
- Neuromuscular Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria la Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain. .,ALS Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain.
| | - José I Tembl
- Neurosonology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Victoria Fornés-Ferrer
- Biostatistics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria la Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Fernando Cardona
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institut de Biomedicina de València-CSIC, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Valencia, Spain
| | - Lluis Morales-Caba
- Neurosonology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gerardo Fortea
- Neurosonology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jordi Pérez-Tur
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institut de Biomedicina de València-CSIC, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Valencia, Spain.,Unidad mixta de Neurología y Genética, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria la Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Teresa Sevilla
- Neuromuscular Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria la Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain.,ALS Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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14
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Fernandes RDCL, Rosso ALZD, Vincent MB, Araújo NC. Use of Gray-Level Histograms to Assess Substantia Nigra Echogenicity in Transcranial Sonography Images of Parkinson Disease Patients. JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/8756479316667083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A substantial body of research has shown that Parkinson disease (PD) patients display an enlarged hyperechogenic substantia nigra (SN) by transcranial sonography (TCS). Nonetheless, the categorization of SN echogenicity is still subjective. A method is described to quantify SN echogenicity based on the gray-level histograms of digitized TCS images. In 31 PD patients and 57 controls, the gray-scale mean (GSM) of the SN, mesencephalon, and basal cisterns and their ratios were assessed using image-editing computer software. The GSM values were compared between the groups and correlated with age, SN area, and disease duration. The SN GSM was significantly higher in the PD group ( P < .05) with a positive correlation with age but not with disease duration. In this cohort of participants, mesencephalon echogenicity was found to increase with disease duration. These results would suggest quantitatively SN hyperechogenicity in PD. Quantifying SN echogenicity is feasible and might minimize subjectivity in PD diagnosis by TCS. The method has the potential to disclose subtle changes in other midbrain structures’ echogenicity engendered by the disease process as well.
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15
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Pilotto A, Yilmaz R, Berg D. Developments in the role of transcranial sonography for the differential diagnosis of parkinsonism. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2016; 15:43. [PMID: 26008814 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-015-0566-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In the last two decades transcranial sonography (TCS) has developed as a valuable, supplementary tool in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of movement disorders. In this review, we highlight recent evidence supporting TCS as a reliable method in the differential diagnosis of parkinsonism, combining substantia nigra (SN), basal ganglia and ventricular system findings. Moreover, several studies support SN hyperechogenicity as one of most important risk factors for Parkinson's disease (PD). The advantages of TCS include short investigation time, low cost and lack of radiation. Principal limitations are still the dependency on the bone window and operator experience. New automated algorithms may reduce the role of investigator skill in the assessment and interpretation, increasing TCS diagnostic reliability. Based on the convincing evidence available, the EFNS accredited the method of TCS a level A recommendation for supporting the diagnosis of PD and its differential diagnosis from secondary and atypical parkinsonism. An increasing number of training programmes is extending the use of this technique in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pilotto
- Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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16
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Abnormal Echogenicity of the Substantia Nigra, Raphe Nuclei, and Third-Ventricle Width as Markers of Cognitive Impairment in Parkinsonian Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study. PARKINSONS DISEASE 2016; 2016:4058580. [PMID: 26881179 PMCID: PMC4737005 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4058580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have a high risk of cognitive problems. Objective. This study assesses whether abnormal echogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN) and raphe nuclei (RN) and the diameter of third ventricle are markers of cognitive impairment in patients with PD and other forms of parkinsonism. Methods. 126 outpatients with early signs of parkinsonism underwent transcranial sonography (TCS). The scales for the outcome of Parkinson's disease cognition (SCOPA-COG) were used as cognitive measure. Definite neurological diagnosis was established after two-year follow-up. Results. One-third of the patients with PD and half of those with APS had signs of cognitive impairment. The echogenicity of the SN was not related to cognitive impairment. The diameter of the third ventricle was significantly larger in PD patients with cognitive impairment compared to those without. In patients with APS we found a significantly higher frequency of hypoechogenic RN in patients with cognitive problems. Conclusions. Cognitive impairment is already present in a substantial proportion of patients with PD and APS at first referral. In patients with APS the frequency of hypoechogenic RN points to the direction of other pathophysiology with more emphasis on deficits in the serotonergic neurotransmitter system. The larger diameter of the third ventricle in PD patients with cognitive impairment may reflect Alzheimer like brain atrophy, as has been reported in earlier studies.
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Tunc S, Graf J, Tadic V, Brüggemann N, Schmidt A, Al-Khaled M, Wolff S, Vollstedt EJ, Lorwin A, Hampf J, Piskol L, Klein C, Hagenah J, Kasten M. A population-based study on combined markers for early Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord 2014; 30:531-7. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.26100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sinem Tunc
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University of Luebeck; Germany
- Institute of Neurogenetics; University of Luebeck; Germany
| | - Julia Graf
- Institute of Neurogenetics; University of Luebeck; Germany
| | - Vera Tadic
- Institute of Neurogenetics; University of Luebeck; Germany
| | | | | | | | - Simone Wolff
- Institute of Neurogenetics; University of Luebeck; Germany
| | - Eva-Juliane Vollstedt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University of Luebeck; Germany
- Institute of Neurogenetics; University of Luebeck; Germany
| | - Anne Lorwin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University of Luebeck; Germany
- Institute of Neurogenetics; University of Luebeck; Germany
| | - Jennie Hampf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University of Luebeck; Germany
- Institute of Neurogenetics; University of Luebeck; Germany
| | - Linda Piskol
- Institute of Neurogenetics; University of Luebeck; Germany
| | | | - Johann Hagenah
- Department of Neurology; Westkuestenklinikum Heide Heide Germany
| | - Meike Kasten
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University of Luebeck; Germany
- Institute of Neurogenetics; University of Luebeck; Germany
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18
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Saft C, Hoffmann R, Strassburger-Krogias K, Lücke T, Meves SH, Ellrichmann G, Krogias C. Echogenicity of basal ganglia structures in different Huntington's disease phenotypes. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2014; 122:825-33. [PMID: 25503829 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-014-1335-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative-inherited disease, chorea as the typical kind of movement disorder is described. Beside chorea, however, all other kinds of movement disturbances, such as bradykinesia, dystonia, tremor or myoclonus can occur. Aim of the current study was to investigate alterations in the echogenicity of basal ganglia structures in different Huntington's disease phenotypes. 47 patients with manifest and genetically confirmed HD were recruited. All participants underwent a thorough neurological examination. According to a previously described method, classification into predominantly choreatic, mixed or bradykinetic-rigid motor phenotypes was performed depending on subscores of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale. In addition, findings in juvenile HD were compared to adult HD. Transcranial sonography was performed by investigators blinded to clinical classification. There were no significant differences in basal ganglia echogenicities between the three phenotypes. Size of echogenic area of substantia nigra (SN) correlated positively with CAG repeat and bradykinesia subscore, and negatively with age of onset and chorea subscore. Comparing juvenile and adult HD subtypes, SN hyperechogenicity was significantly more often detectable in the juvenile form (100 vs. 29.3 %, p = 0.002). Regarding echogenicity of caudate or lentiform nuclei, no significant differences were detected. HD patients with the juvenile variant exhibit marked hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra. No significant differences in basal ganglia echogenicities between predominantly choreatic, mixed or bradykinetic-rigid motor phenotypes were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Saft
- Department of Neurology, Huntington Centre NRW, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791, Bochum, Germany,
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Abstract
Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer disease with a lifetime risk in the UK population of almost 5%. An association between PD and Gaucher disease (GD) derived from the observation that GD patients and their heterozygous carrier relatives were at increased risk of PD. GD is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by homozygous mutations in the gene encoding glucocerebrosidase (GBA). Approximately 5%-10% of PD patients have GBA mutations, making these mutations numerically the most important genetic predisposing risk factor for the development of PD identified to date. GBA mutations result in a phenotype that is virtually indistinguishable clinically, pharmacologically, and pathologically from sporadic PD, except GBA mutations result in a slightly earlier age of onset and more frequent cognitive impairment among PD patients. The mechanisms by which GBA mutations result in PD are not yet understood. Both reduced glucocerebrosidase enzyme (GCase) activity with lysosomal dysfunction, and unfolded protein response (UPR) with endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) and stress are considered contributory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle S Beavan
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University College London Institute of Neurology , London NW3 2PF , United Kingdom
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Böttcher T, Rolfs A, Meyer B, Grossmann A, Berg D, Kropp P, Benecke R, Walter U. Clinical, genetic, and brain sonographic features related to Parkinson's disease in Gaucher disease. J Neurol 2013; 260:2523-31. [PMID: 23811968 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-013-7011-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene cause Gaucher disease. Moreover, heterozygous glucocerebrosidase gene mutations represent the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) known so far. Substantia nigra (SN) hyperechogenicity, a sonographic feature thought to reflect iron accumulation, has been described in both PD and Gaucher disease patients. Here we studied how clinical, genetic, and brain sonographic findings relate to the occurrence of PD in Gaucher disease. Sixteen Gaucher disease patients, 12 PD patients, and 32 control subjects were enrolled. The glucocerebrosidase genotypes were identified by DNA sequencing. All subjects underwent transcranial ultrasound, and eight Gaucher disease patients additionally MRI for comparison with SN ultrasound findings. SN hyperechogenicity and reduced echogenicity of brainstem raphe were more frequent in Gaucher disease patients (62, 37 %) than in controls (12, 12 %; p < 0.001, p < 0.05). SN hyperechogenicity in Gaucher disease patients was unrelated to type or severity of glucocerebrosidase gene mutation, but correlated with iron-sensitive MRI-T2 hypointensity of SN pars compacta, and with age at start of enzyme replacement therapy. While none of the five Gaucher disease patients with signs of PD (definite PD, n = 4; early PD, n = 1) had severe glucocerebrosidase gene mutations known to cause neuronopathic Gaucher disease, all carried a N370S allele, previously reported to predict non-neuronopathic Gaucher disease. Hyposmia, higher non-motor symptoms score (constipation, depression, executive dysfunction), and SN hyperechogenicity were characteristic features of Gaucher disease-related PD. We conclude that the combined clinical, genetic, and transcranial sonographic assessment may improve the PD risk evaluation in Gaucher disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Böttcher
- Albrecht-Kossel-Institute for Neuroregeneration, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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21
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Transcranial sonography and functional imaging in glucocerebrosidase mutation Parkinson disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2012; 19:186-91. [PMID: 23062841 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2012.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2012] [Revised: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 09/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heterozygous glucocerebrosidase (GBA) mutations are the leading genetic risk factor for Parkinson disease, yet imaging correlates, particularly transcranial sonography, have not been extensively described. METHODS To determine whether GBA mutation heterozygotes with Parkinson disease demonstrate hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra, transcranial sonography was performed in Ashkenazi Jewish Parkinson disease subjects, tested for the eight most common Gaucher disease mutations and the LRRK2 G2019S mutation, and in controls. [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose or [(18)F]-fluorodopa positron emission tomography is also reported from a subset of Parkinson disease subjects with heterozygous GBA mutations. RESULTS Parkinson disease subjects with heterozygous GBA mutations (n = 23) had a greater median maximal area of substantia nigral echogenicity compared to controls (n = 34, aSNmax = 0.30 vs. 0.18, p = 0.007). There was no difference in median maximal area of nigral echogenicity between Parkinson disease groups defined by GBA and LRRK2 genotype: GBA heterozygotes; GBA homozygotes/compound heterozygotes (n = 4, aSNmax = 0.27); subjects without LRRK2 or GBA mutations (n = 32, aSNmax = 0.27); LRRK2 heterozygotes/homozygotes without GBA mutations (n = 27, aSNmax = 0.28); and GBA heterozygotes/LRRK2 heterozygotes (n = 4, aSNmax = 0.32, overall p = 0.63). In secondary analyses among Parkinson disease subjects with GBA mutations, maximal area of nigral echogenicity did not differ based on GBA mutation severity or mutation number. [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (n = 3) and [(18)F]-fluorodopa (n = 2) positron emission tomography in Parkinson disease subjects with heterozygous GBA mutations was consistent with findings in idiopathic Parkinson disease. CONCLUSIONS Both transcranial sonography and positron emission tomography are abnormal in GBA mutation associated Parkinson disease, similar to other Parkinson disease subjects.
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Thome J, Ehlis AC, Fallgatter AJ, Krauel K, Lange KW, Riederer P, Romanos M, Taurines R, Tucha O, Uzbekov M, Gerlach M. Biomarkers for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A consensus report of the WFSBP task force on biological markers and the World Federation of ADHD. World J Biol Psychiatry 2012; 13:379-400. [PMID: 22834452 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2012.690535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Psychiatric "nosology" is largely based on clinical phenomenology using convention-based diagnostic systems not necessarily reflecting neurobiological pathomechanisms. While progress has been made regarding its molecular biology and neuropathology, the phenotypic characterization of ADHD has not improved. Thus, validated biomarkers, more directly linked to the underlying pathology, could constitute an objective measure for the condition. METHOD The task force on biological markers of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and the World Federation of ADHD commissioned this paper to develop a consensus report on potential biomarkers of ADHD. The criteria for biomarker-candidate evaluation were: (1) sensitivity >80%, (2) specificity >80%, (3) the candidate is reliable, reproducible, inexpensive, non-invasive, easy to use, and (4) confirmed by at least two independent studies in peer-reviewed journals conducted by qualified investigators. RESULTS No reliable ADHD biomarker has been described to date, but some promising candidates (e.g., olfactory sensitivity, substantial echogenicity) exist. A problem in the development of ADHD markers is sample heterogeneity due to aetiological and phenotypic complexity and age-dependent co-morbidities. CONCLUSIONS Most likely, no single ADHD biomarker can be identified. However, the use of a combination of markers may help to reduce heterogeneity and to identify homogeneous subtypes of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Thome
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
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Laučkaitė K, Rastenytė D, Šurkienė D, Vaitkus A, Sakalauskas A, Lukoševičius A, Gleiznienė R. Specificity of transcranial sonography in parkinson spectrum disorders in comparison to degenerative cognitive syndromes. BMC Neurol 2012; 12:12. [PMID: 22400906 PMCID: PMC3317847 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2377-12-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN+), detected by transcranial sonography (TCS), was reported as a characteristic finding in Parkinson's disease (PD), with high diagnostic accuracy values, when compared mainly to healthy controls or essential tremor (ET) group. However, some data is accumulating that the SN + could be detected in other neurodegenerative and even in non-neurodegenerative disorders too. Our aim was to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of TCS, mainly focusing on the specificity point, when applied to a range of the parkinsonian disorders, and comparing to the degenerative cognitive syndromes. Methods A prospective study was carried out at the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences from January until September 2011. Initially, a TCS and clinical examination were performed on 258 patients and 76 controls. The General Electric Voluson 730 Expert ultrasound system was used. There were 12.8% of cases excluded with insufficient temporal bones, and 4.3% excluded with an unclear diagnosis. The studied sample consisted of the groups: PD (n = 71, 33.2%), ET (n = 58, 27.1%), PD and ET (n = 10, 4.7%), atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS) (n = 3, 1.4%), hereditary neurodegenerative parkinsonism (HDP) (n = 3, 1.4%), secondary parkinsonism (SP) (n = 23, 10.8%), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 33, 15.4%), dementia (n = 13, 6.1%), and control (n = 71). Results There were 80.3% of PD patients at stages 1 & 2 according to Hoehn and Yahr. At the cut-off value of 0.20 cm2 of the SN+, the sensitivity for PD was 94.3% and the specificity - 63.3% (ROC analysis, AUC 0.891), in comparison to the rest of the cohort. At the cut-off value of 0.26 cm2, the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity 82.4%. The estimations for the lowest specificity for PD, in comparison to the latter subgroups (at the cut-off values of 0.20 cm2 and 0.26 cm2, respectively) were: 0% and 33.3% to APS, 33.3% and 66.7% to HDP, 34.8% and 69.6% to SP, 55.2% and 82.8% to ET, 75% and 91.7% to dementia. Conclusions The high sensitivity of the test could be employed as a valuable screening tool. But TCS is more useful as a supplementary diagnostic method, due to the specificity values not being comprehensive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Laučkaitė
- Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Academy of Medicine, Mickevičiaus street 9, Kaunas, Lithuania.
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Go CL, Frenzel A, Rosales RL, Lee LV, Benecke R, Dressler D, Walter U. Assessment of substantia nigra echogenicity in German and Filipino populations using a portable ultrasound system. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2012; 31:191-196. [PMID: 22298861 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2012.31.2.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transcranial sonography of the substantia nigra for diagnosing premotor stages of Parkinson disease has been attracting increasing interest. Standard reference values defining an abnormal increased echogenic size (hyperechogenicity) of the substantia nigra have been established in several populations using high-end stationary ultrasound systems. It is unknown whether a portable ultrasound system can be appropriately used and how the Filipino population would compare with the well-studied white population. METHODS We prospectively studied substantia nigra echogenic sizes and third ventricle widths in 71 healthy adult German participants and 30 age- and sex-matched Filipino participants using both a well-established stationary ultrasound system (in the German cohort) and a recently distributed portable ultrasound system (in both ethnic cohorts). RESULTS Mean substantia nigra echogenic sizes, cutoff values defining abnormal hyperechogenicity, and intra-rater reliability were similar with both systems and in both ethnic cohorts studied. The Filipino and German participants did not differ with respect to the frequency of insufficient insonation conditions (each 3%) and substantia nigra hyperechogenicity (10% versus 9%; P = .80). However, third ventricle widths were smaller in the Filipino than the German participants (mean ± SD, 1.6 ± 1.1 versus 2.4 ± 1.0 mm; P = .004). CONCLUSIONS The frequency of substantia nigra hyperechogenicity appears to be homogeneous in white and Asian populations. Screening for this feature may well be performed with a present-day portable ultrasound system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Criscely L Go
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimer Strasse 20, D-18147 Rostock, Germany
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Walter U. Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity is a risk marker of Parkinson's disease: no. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2010; 118:607-12. [PMID: 21190047 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-010-0564-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
During the past two decades, transcranial sonography (TCS) has developed to an increasingly used brain imaging method that visualizes characteristic patterns of basal ganglia alterations in distinct movement disorders. Since the discovery of a characteristic abnormal hyperechogenic appearance of substantia nigra (SN) on TCS in Parkinson's disease (PD), which is stable during the course of the disease and probably present already in preclinical disease stages, the results of several studies have promoted the idea that this TCS finding in healthy subjects might be a risk marker of PD. The present view summarizes current scientific evidence favouring the idea that the TCS finding of SN hyperechogenicity alone may not be a (strong) risk marker of PD. Especially, it is discussed how reliable this TCS finding is, whether this TCS finding can be regarded as a progression marker or a risk marker of PD, how strongly it may indicate a risk of PD, what else if not an increased risk of PD could be indicated, and which role TCS of SN may finally play in the detection of subjects at risk of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Walter
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany.
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26
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Bor-Seng-Shu E, Fonoff ET, Barbosa ER, Teixeira MJ. Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity in Parkinson's disease. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2010; 152:2085-7. [PMID: 20623147 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-010-0736-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Basal ganglia hyperechogenicity does not distinguish between patients with primary dystonia and healthy individuals. J Neurol 2010; 258:590-5. [PMID: 21042808 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-010-5795-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2010] [Revised: 09/30/2010] [Accepted: 10/05/2010] [Indexed: 09/29/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial sonography (TCS) of the basal ganglia is a non-invasive tool to study movement disorders. Very few studies have addressed the question of whether TCS may detect specific echofeatures in patients with primary dystonia. The basal ganglia including the substantia nigra (SN) and the ventricular system were investigated by TCS in 84 primary dystonia patients and 43 neurologically healthy controls. Any hyperechogenicity of the lenticular nucleus was present in 57.5% of the patients and in 50.0% of the controls (p = 0.453). While marked hyperechogenicity was more frequently present in the patients (17.8 vs. 7.9%), this difference was not significant (p = 0.227). No differences in the occurrence of hyperechogenicity were detectable either in the caudate nucleus (21.6 vs. 39.5%, p = 0.122) or the thalamus (4.1 vs. 0%, p = 0.199). Marked hyperechogenicity of the caudate nucleus was rare in dystonia (4.1%) and absent in controls. There was no relationship between the side of basal ganglia hyperechogenicity and the clinically affected side of cervical dystonia. The area of SN echogenicity was similar in patients and controls (0.19 ± 0.14 vs. 0.20 ± 0.13 cm(2)), but correlated negatively with increasing disease duration in the dystonia patients (ρ = -0.257, p = 0.028). Width of the third ventricle correlated with increasing age (ρ = 0.511, p = 0.000) and, in patients, with disease duration (ρ = 0.244, p = 0.034) and severity of cervical dystonia (ρ = 0.281, p = 0.038). No characteristic abnormalities were found in the basal ganglia of primary dystonia patients. It remains to be explored whether this is due to a true absence of signal alterations in the basal ganglia of dystonia patients or to limitations of the current technology used.
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Berg D. Hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra: pitfalls in assessment and specificity for Parkinson’s disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2010; 118:453-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-010-0469-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2010] [Accepted: 08/16/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Hagenah J, Seidel G. Parenchym-Ultraschall bei Parkinson-Syndromen. DER NERVENARZT 2010; 81:1189-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00115-010-3025-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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