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Sun W, Liu SH, Wei XJ, Sun H, Ma ZW, Yu XF. Potential of neuroimaging as a biomarker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from structure to metabolism. J Neurol 2024; 271:2238-2257. [PMID: 38367047 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12201-x] [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] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron degeneration. The development of ALS involves metabolite alterations leading to tissue lesions in the nervous system. Recent advances in neuroimaging have significantly improved our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of ALS, with findings supporting the corticoefferent axonal disease progression theory. Current studies on neuroimaging in ALS have demonstrated inconsistencies, which may be due to small sample sizes, insufficient statistical power, overinterpretation of findings, and the inherent heterogeneity of ALS. Deriving meaningful conclusions solely from individual imaging metrics in ALS studies remains challenging, and integrating multimodal imaging techniques shows promise for detecting valuable ALS biomarkers. In addition to giving an overview of the principles and techniques of different neuroimaging modalities, this review describes the potential of neuroimaging biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognostication of ALS. We provide an insight into the underlying pathology, highlighting the need for standardized protocols and multicenter collaborations to advance ALS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Si-Han Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Wei
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Zhen-Wei Ma
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xue-Fan Yu
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
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Tomé SO, Tsaka G, Ronisz A, Ospitalieri S, Gawor K, Gomes LA, Otto M, von Arnim CAF, Van Damme P, Van Den Bosch L, Ghebremedhin E, Laureyssen C, Sleegers K, Vandenberghe R, Rousseau F, Schymkowitz J, Thal DR. TDP-43 pathology is associated with increased tau burdens and seeding. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:71. [PMID: 37777806 PMCID: PMC10544192 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00653-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most Alzheimer's Disease (AD) cases also exhibit limbic predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathological changes (LATE-NC), besides amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) containing hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau). LATE-NC is characterized by cytoplasmic aggregates positive for pathological TDP-43 and is associated with more severe clinical outcomes in AD, compared to AD cases lacking TDP-43 pathology TDP-43: AD(LATE-NC-). Accumulating evidence suggests that TDP-43 and p-tau interact and exhibit pathological synergy during AD pathogenesis. However, it is not yet fully understood how the presence of TDP-43 affects p-tau aggregation in symptomatic AD. METHODS In this study, we investigated the impact of TDP-43 proteinopathy on p-tau pathology with different approaches: histologically, in a human post-mortem cohort (n = 98), as well as functionally using a tau biosensor cell line and TDP-43A315T transgenic mice. RESULTS We found that AD cases with comorbid LATE-NC, AD(LATE-NC+), have increased burdens of pretangles and/or NFTs as well as increased brain levels of p-tau199, compared to AD(LATE-NC-) cases and controls. The burden of TDP-43 pathology was also correlated with the Braak NFT stages. A tau biosensor cell line treated with sarkosyl-insoluble, brain-derived homogenates from AD(LATE-NC+) cases displayed exacerbated p-tau seeding, compared to control and AD(LATE-NC-)-treated cells. Consistently, TDP-43A315T mice injected with AD(LATE-NC+)-derived extracts also exhibited a more severe hippocampal seeding, compared to the remaining experimental groups, albeit no TDP-43 aggregation was observed. CONCLUSIONS Our findings extend the current knowledge by supporting a functional synergy between TDP-43 and p-tau. We further demonstrate that TDP-43 pathology worsens p-tau aggregation in an indirect manner and increases its seeding potential, probably by increasing p-tau levels. This may ultimately contribute to tau-driven neurotoxicity and cell death. Because most AD cases present with comorbid LATE-NC, this study has an impact on the understanding of TDP-43 and tau pathogenesis in AD and LATE, which account for the majority of dementia cases worldwide. Moreover, it highlights the need for the development of a biomarker that detects TDP-43 during life, in order to properly stratify AD and LATE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra O Tomé
- Laboratory of Neuropathology - Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Grigoria Tsaka
- Laboratory of Neuropathology - Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alicja Ronisz
- Laboratory of Neuropathology - Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simona Ospitalieri
- Laboratory of Neuropathology - Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Klara Gawor
- Laboratory of Neuropathology - Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luis Aragão Gomes
- Laboratory of Neuropathology - Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University of Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Christine A F von Arnim
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Geriatrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Neurobiology - VIB-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Neurobiology - VIB-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Estifanos Ghebremedhin
- Institute for Clinical Neuroanatomy - Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Celeste Laureyssen
- Complex Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Group, VIB-University of Antwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kristel Sleegers
- Complex Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Group, VIB-University of Antwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rik Vandenberghe
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology - Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederic Rousseau
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Schymkowitz
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dietmar Rudolf Thal
- Laboratory of Neuropathology - Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Ludolph A, Dupuis L, Kasarskis E, Steyn F, Ngo S, McDermott C. Nutritional and metabolic factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:511-524. [PMID: 37500993 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00845-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that is classically thought to impact the motor system. Over the past 20 years, research has started to consider the contribution of non-motor symptoms and features of the disease, and how they might affect ALS prognosis. Of the non-motor features of the disease, nutritional status (for example, malnutrition) and metabolic balance (for example, weight loss and hypermetabolism) have been consistently shown to contribute to more rapid disease progression and/or earlier death. Several complex cellular changes observed in ALS, including mitochondrial dysfunction, are also starting to be shown to contribute to bioenergetic failure. The resulting energy depletion in high energy demanding neurons makes them sensitive to apoptosis. Given that nutritional and metabolic stressors at the whole-body and cellular level can impact the capacity to maintain optimal function, these factors present avenues through which we can identify novel targets for treatment in ALS. Several clinical trials are now underway evaluating the effectiveness of modifying energy balance in ALS, making this article timely in reviewing the evidence base for metabolic and nutritional interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Site Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, UMR-S1118, Centre de Recherches en Biomédecine, Strasbourg, France
| | - Edward Kasarskis
- Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Frederik Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shyuan Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Maksimovic K, Youssef M, You J, Sung HK, Park J. Evidence of Metabolic Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Patients and Animal Models. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050863. [PMID: 37238732 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death. Research from the past few decades has appreciated that ALS is not only a disease of the motor neurons but also a disease that involves systemic metabolic dysfunction. This review will examine the foundational research of understanding metabolic dysfunction in ALS and provide an overview of past and current studies in ALS patients and animal models, spanning from full systems to various metabolic organs. While ALS-affected muscle tissue exhibits elevated energy demand and a fuel preference switch from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation, adipose tissue in ALS undergoes increased lipolysis. Dysfunctions in the liver and pancreas contribute to impaired glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion. The central nervous system (CNS) displays abnormal glucose regulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress. Importantly, the hypothalamus, a brain region that controls whole-body metabolism, undergoes atrophy associated with pathological aggregates of TDP-43. This review will also cover past and present treatment options that target metabolic dysfunction in ALS and provide insights into the future of metabolism research in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Maksimovic
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Mohieldin Youssef
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Justin You
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Hoon-Ki Sung
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jeehye Park
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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Longitudinal evaluation of five nasopharyngeal carcinoma animal models on the microPET/MR platform. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 49:1497-1507. [PMID: 34862520 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05633-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We longitudinally evaluated the tumour growth and metabolic activity of three nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line models (C666-1, C17 and NPC43) and two xenograft models (Xeno76 and Xeno23) using a micropositron emission tomography and magnetic resonance (microPET/MR). With a better understanding of the interplay between tumour growth and metabolic characteristics of these NPC models, we aim to provide insights for the selection of appropriate NPC cell line/xenograft models to assist novel drug discovery and evaluation. METHODS Mice were imaged by 18F-deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) microPET/MR twice a week for consecutive 3-7 weeks. [18F]FDG uptake was quantified by standardized uptake value (SUV) and presented as SUVmean tumour-to-liver ratio (SUVRmean). Longitudinal tumour growth patterns and metabolic patterns were recorded. SUVRmean and histological characteristics were compared across the five NPC models. Cisplatin was administrated to one selected optimal tumour model, C17, to evaluate our imaging platform. RESULTS We found variable tumour growth and metabolic patterns across different NPC tumour types. C17 has an optimal growth rate and higher tumour metabolic activity compared with C666-1. C666-1 has a fast growth rate but is low in SUVRmean at endpoint due to necrosis as confirmed by H&E. NPC43 and Xeno76 have relatively slow growth rates and are low in SUVRmean, due to severe necrosis. Xeno23 has the slowest growth rate, and a relative high SUVRmean. Cisplatin showed the expected therapeutic effect in the C17 model in marked reduction of tumour size and metabolism. CONCLUSION Our study establishes an imaging platform that characterizes the growth and metabolic patterns of different NPC models, and the platform is well able to demonstrate drug treatment outcome supporting its use in novel drug discovery and evaluation for NPC.
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Swim Training Ameliorates Hyperlocomotion of ALS Mice and Increases Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in the Spinal Cord. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111614. [PMID: 34769048 PMCID: PMC8583724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable, neurodegenerative disease. In some cases, ALS causes behavioral disturbances and cognitive dysfunction. Swimming has revealed a neuroprotective influence on the motor neurons in ALS. (2) Methods: In the present study, a SOD1-G93A mice model of ALS were used, with wild-type B6SJL mice as controls. ALS mice were analyzed before ALS onset (10th week of life), at ALS 1 onset (first symptoms of the disease, ALS 1 onset, and ALS 1 onset SWIM), and at terminal ALS (last stage of the disease, ALS TER, and ALS TER SWIM), and compared with wild-type mice. Swim training was applied 5 times per week for 30 min. All mice underwent behavioral tests. The spinal cord was analyzed for the enzyme activities and oxidative stress markers. (3) Results: Pre-symptomatic ALS mice showed increased locomotor activity versus control mice; the swim training reduced these symptoms. The metabolic changes in the spinal cord were present at the pre-symptomatic stage of the disease with a shift towards glycolytic processes at the terminal stage of ALS. Swim training caused an adaptation, resulting in higher glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and protection against oxidative stress. (4) Conclusion: Therapeutic aquatic activity might slow down the progression of ALS.
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Giacobbo BL, Mediavilla T, Marcellino DJ, Sultan F. Metabolic changes in an animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis evaluated by [ 18F]-FDG positron emission tomography. Transl Neurodegener 2021; 10:21. [PMID: 34162436 PMCID: PMC8220836 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-021-00246-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tomás Mediavilla
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Fahad Sultan
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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Tefera TW, Steyn FJ, Ngo ST, Borges K. CNS glucose metabolism in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: a therapeutic target? Cell Biosci 2021; 11:14. [PMID: 33431046 PMCID: PMC7798275 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-020-00511-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by selective degeneration of both the upper motor neurons in the brain and lower motor neurons in the brain stem and the spinal cord. The exact mechanism for the selective death of neurons is unknown. A growing body of evidence demonstrates abnormalities in energy metabolism at the cellular and whole-body level in animal models and in people living with ALS. Many patients with ALS exhibit metabolic changes such as hypermetabolism and body weight loss. Despite these whole-body metabolic changes being observed in patients with ALS, the origin of metabolic dysregulation remains to be fully elucidated. A number of pre-clinical studies indicate that underlying bioenergetic impairments at the cellular level may contribute to metabolic dysfunctions in ALS. In particular, defects in CNS glucose transport and metabolism appear to lead to reduced mitochondrial energy generation and increased oxidative stress, which seem to contribute to disease progression in ALS. Here, we review the current knowledge and understanding regarding dysfunctions in CNS glucose metabolism in ALS focusing on metabolic impairments in glucose transport, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. We also summarize disturbances found in glycogen metabolism and neuroglial metabolic interactions. Finally, we discuss options for future investigations into how metabolic impairments can be modified to slow disease progression in ALS. These investigations are imperative for understanding the underlying causes of metabolic dysfunction and subsequent neurodegeneration, and to also reveal new therapeutic strategies in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tesfaye Wolde Tefera
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Center for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Center for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karin Borges
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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