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Sunwoo J, Shah P, Thuptimdang W, Khaleel M, Chalacheva P, Kato RM, Coates TD, Khoo MCK. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based prefrontal cortex oxygenation during working memory tasks in sickle cell disease. NEUROPHOTONICS 2023; 10:045004. [PMID: 37854507 PMCID: PMC10581024 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.10.4.045004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Significance Sickle cell disease (SCD), characterized by painful vaso-occlusive crises, is associated with cognitive decline. However, objective quantification of cognitive decline in SCD remains a challenge, and the associated hemodynamics are unknown. Aim To address this, we utilized functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenation responses to N -back working memory tasks in SCD patients and compared them with healthy controls. Approach We quantified the PFC oxygenation rate as an index of cognitive activity in each group and compared them. In half of the participants, a Stroop test was administered before they started N -back to elevate their baseline stress level. Results In SCD compared to healthy controls, we found that (1) under a high baseline stress level, there were significantly greater oxygenation responses during the 2-back task, further elevated with histories of stroke; (2) there was a marginally slower N -back response time, and it was even slower with a history of stroke; and (3) the task accuracy was not different. Conclusions Additional requirements for processing time, PFC resources, and PFC oxygenation in SCD patients offer an important basis for understanding their cognitive decline and highlight the potential of fNIRS for evaluating cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Sunwoo
- University of Southern California, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Payal Shah
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Hematology Section of Children’s Center for Cancer, Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Wanwara Thuptimdang
- University of Southern California, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Prince of Songkla University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Maha Khaleel
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Hematology Section of Children’s Center for Cancer, Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Patjanaporn Chalacheva
- University of Southern California, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Roberta M. Kato
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Thomas D. Coates
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Hematology Section of Children’s Center for Cancer, Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Michael C. K. Khoo
- University of Southern California, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Los Angeles, California, United States
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Ramos K, Guilliams KP, Fields ME. The Development of Neuroimaging Biomarkers for Cognitive Decline in Sickle Cell Disease. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2022; 36:1167-1186. [PMID: 36400537 PMCID: PMC9973749 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is complicated by neurologic complications including vasculopathy, hemorrhagic or ischemic overt stroke, silent cerebral infarcts and cognitive dysfunction. Patients with SCD, even in the absence of vasculopathy or stroke, have experience cognitive dysfunction that progresses with age. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound and structural brain MRI are currently used for primary and secondary stroke prevention, but laboratory or imaging biomarkers do not currently exist that are specific to the risk of cognitive dysfunction in patients with SCD. Recent investigations have used advanced MR sequences assessing cerebral hemodynamics, white matter microstructure and functional connectivity to better understand the pathophysiology of cognitive decline in SCD, with the long-term goal of developing neuroimaging biomarkers to be used in risk prediction algorithms and to assess the efficacy of treatment options for patients with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie Ramos
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kristin P Guilliams
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Melanie E Fields
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Hood AM, Crosby LE, Stotesbury H, Kölbel M, Kirkham FJ. Considerations for Selecting Cognitive Endpoints and Psychological Patient-Reported Outcomes for Clinical Trials in Pediatric Patients With Sickle Cell Disease. Front Neurol 2022; 13:835823. [PMID: 35800079 PMCID: PMC9253275 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.835823] [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: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience a range of medical complications that result in significant morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in prophylactic and curative treatment approaches have highlighted the need for sensitive and clinically-meaningful trial endpoints. The detrimental effects of cognitive and psychological difficulties on social and economic mobility are well described. Although numerous reviews have assessed cognitive outcomes in other rare genetic disorders, SCD has not received the same focus. This review describes the cognitive (i.e., executive function and processing speed) and psychological domains (i.e., depression and anxiety) that are consistently associated with SCD pathology and, therefore, may be of particular interest as clinical trial endpoints. We then discuss corresponding well-validated and reliable cognitive tests and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) that may be appropriate for clinical trials given their robust psychometric properties, ease of administration, and previous use in the SCD population. Further, we provide a discussion of potential pitfalls and considerations to guide endpoint selection. In line with the move toward patient-centered medicine, we identify specific tests (e.g., NIH Toolbox Cognition Module, Wechsler Cancellation Test) and psychological PROs (e.g., PROMIS depression and anxiety scales) that are sensitive to SCD morbidity and have the potential to capture changes that are clinically meaningful in the context of patients' day to day lives. In particularly vulnerable cognitive domains, such as executive function, we highlight the advantages of composite over single-test scores within the context of trials. We also identify general (i.e., practice effects, disease heterogeneity) and SCD-specific considerations (i.e., genotype, treatment course, and disease course, including degree of neurologic, pain, and sleep morbidity) for trial measures. Executive function composites hold particular promise as trial endpoints that are clinically meaningful, amenable to change, relatively easy to collect, and can be incorporated into the routine care of patients with SCD in various settings and countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Hood
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Lori E. Crosby
- Division of Behavioral Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Hanne Stotesbury
- Developmental Neurosciences Unit and Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie Kölbel
- Developmental Neurosciences Unit and Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fenella J. Kirkham
- Developmental Neurosciences Unit and Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
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Stotesbury H, Kawadler JM, Saunders DE, Kirkham FJ. MRI detection of brain abnormality in sickle cell disease. Expert Rev Hematol 2021; 14:473-491. [PMID: 33612034 PMCID: PMC8315209 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2021.1893687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Over the past decades, neuroimaging studies have clarified that a significant proportion of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have functionally significant brain abnormalities. Clinically, structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences (T2, FLAIR, diffusion-weighted imaging) have been used by radiologists to diagnose chronic and acute cerebral infarction (both overt and clinically silent), while magnetic resonance angiography and venography have been used to diagnose arteriopathy and venous thrombosis. In research settings, imaging scientists are increasingly applying quantitative techniques to shine further light on underlying mechanisms.Areas covered: From a June 2020 PubMed search of 'magnetic' or 'MRI' and 'sickle' over the previous 5 years, we selected manuscripts on T1-based morphometric analysis, diffusion tensor imaging, arterial spin labeling, T2-oximetry, quantitative susceptibility, and connectivity.Expert Opinion: Quantitative MRI techniques are identifying structural and hemodynamic biomarkers associated with risk of neurological and neurocognitive complications. A growing body of evidence suggests that these biomarkers are sensitive to change with treatments, such as blood transfusion and hydroxyurea, indicating that they may hold promise as endpoints in future randomized clinical trials of novel approaches including hemoglobin F upregulation, reduction of polymerization, and gene therapy. With further validation, such techniques may eventually also improve neurological and neurocognitive risk stratification in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Stotesbury
- Developmental Neurosciences Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Jamie Michelle Kawadler
- Developmental Neurosciences Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Dawn Elizabeth Saunders
- Developmental Neurosciences Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Fenella Jane Kirkham
- Developmental Neurosciences Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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Fields ME, Mirro AE, Guilliams KP, Binkley MM, Gil Diaz L, Tan J, Fellah S, Eldeniz C, Chen Y, Ford AL, Shimony JS, King AA, An H, Smyser CD, Lee JM. Functional Connectivity Decreases with Metabolic Stress in Sickle Cell Disease. Ann Neurol 2020; 88:995-1008. [PMID: 32869335 PMCID: PMC7592195 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience cognitive deficits even when unaffected by stroke. Using functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential biomarker of cognitive function, we tested our hypothesis that children with SCD would have decreased functional connectivity, and that children experiencing the greatest metabolic stress, indicated by elevated oxygen extraction fraction, would have the lowest connectivity. METHODS We prospectively obtained brain MRIs and cognitive testing in healthy controls and children with SCD. RESULTS We analyzed data from 60 participants (20 controls and 40 with sickle cell disease). There was no difference in global cognition or cognitive subdomains between cohorts. However, we found decreased functional connectivity within the sensory-motor, lateral sensory-motor, auditory, salience, and subcortical networks in participants with SCD compared with controls. Further, as white matter oxygen extraction fraction increased, connectivity within the visual (p = 0.008, parameter estimate = -0.760 [95% CI = -1.297, -0.224]), default mode (p = 0.012, parameter estimate = -0.417 [95% CI = -0.731, -0.104]), and cingulo-opercular (p = 0.009, parameter estimate = -0.883 [95% CI = -1.517, -0.250]) networks decreased. INTERPRETATION We conclude that there is diminished functional connectivity within these anatomically contiguous networks in children with SCD compared with controls, even when differences are not seen with cognitive testing. Increased white matter oxygen extraction fraction was associated with decreased connectivity in select networks. These data suggest that elevated oxygen extraction fraction and disrupted functional connectivity are potentially presymptomatic neuroimaging biomarkers for cognitive decline in SCD. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:995-1008.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie E Fields
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Amy E Mirro
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kristin P Guilliams
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael M Binkley
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Luisa Gil Diaz
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jessica Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Slim Fellah
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Cihat Eldeniz
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yasheng Chen
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andria L Ford
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joshua S Shimony
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Allison A King
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Program of Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hongyu An
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christopher D Smyser
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jin-Moo Lee
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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