1
|
Tang G, Zhou H, Zeng C, Jiang Y, Li Y, Hou L, Liao K, Tan Z, Wu H, Tang Y, Cheng Y, Ling X, Guo Q, Xu H. Alterations of apparent diffusion coefficient from ultra high b-values in the bilateral thalamus and striatum in MRI-negative drug-resistant epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 2024. [PMID: 38943548 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Subcortical nuclei such as the thalamus and striatum have been shown to be related to seizure modulation and termination, especially in drug-resistant epilepsy. Enhance diffusion-weighted imaging (eDWI) technique and tri-component model have been used in previous studies to calculate apparent diffusion coefficient from ultra high b-values (ADCuh). This study aimed to explore the alterations of ADCuh in the bilateral thalamus and striatum in MRI-negative drug-resistant epilepsy. METHODS Twenty-nine patients with MRI-negative drug-resistant epilepsy and 18 healthy controls underwent eDWI scan with 15 b-values (0-5000 s/mm2). The eDWI parameters including standard ADC (ADCst), pure water diffusion (D), and ADCuh were calculated from the 15 b-values. Regions-of-interest (ROIs) analyses were conducted in the bilateral thalamus, caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus. ADCst, D, and ADCuh values were compared between the MRI-negative drug-resistant epilepsy patients and controls using multivariate generalized linear models. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman (BA) analysis. False discovery rate (FDR) method was applied for multiple comparisons correction. RESULTS ADCuh values in the bilateral thalamus, caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus in MRI-negative drug-resistant epilepsy were significantly higher than those in the healthy control subjects (all p < 0.05, FDR corrected). SIGNIFICANCE The alterations of the ADCuh values in the bilateral thalamus and striatum in MRI-negative drug-resistant epilepsy might reflect abnormal membrane water permeability in MRI-negative drug-resistant epilepsy. ADCuh might be a sensitive measurement for evaluating subcortical nuclei-related brain damage in epilepsy patients. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY This study aimed to explore the alterations of apparent diffusion coefficient calculated from ultra high b-values (ADCuh) in the subcortical nuclei such as the bilateral thalamus and striatum in MRI-negative drug-resistant epilepsy. The bilateral thalamus and striatum showed higher ADCuh in epilepsy patients than healthy controls. These findings may add new evidences of subcortical nuclei abnormalities related to water and ion hemostasis in epilepsy patients, which might help to elucidate the underlying epileptic neuropathophysiological mechanisms and facilitate the exploration of therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guixian Tang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hailing Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Chunyuan Zeng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanfang Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Hou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Liao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Tan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huanhua Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongjin Tang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueying Ling
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Guo
- Epilepsy Center, Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital, Affiliated Brain Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT-MRI Center, Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sun K, Li Y, Zhai Z, Yin H, Liang S, Zhai F, Cui Y, Zhang G. Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation and exploration of brain network mechanisms in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1337101. [PMID: 38374975 PMCID: PMC10875019 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1337101] [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: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a collection of neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by poor social interaction and communication, a limited range of interests, and stereotyped behavior. High-functioning autism (HFA) indicates a subgroup of individuals with autism who possess cognitive and/or language skills that are within the average to above-normal range for their age. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) holds promise in children with HFA. However, few studies have used randomized controlled trials to validate the effectiveness of taVNS. Therefore, in this study, we intend to provide a study protocol to examine the therapeutic effects of taVNS in individuals diagnosed with HFA and to investigate the process of brain network remodeling in individuals with ASD using functional imaging techniques to observe alterations in large-scale neural networks. Methods and design We planned to employ a randomized, double-blind experimental design, including 40 children receiving sham stimulation and 40 children receiving real stimulation. We will assess clinical scales and perform functional imaging examinations before and after the stimulation. Additionally, we will include age- and gender-matched healthy children as controls and conduct functional imaging examinations. We plan first to observe the therapeutic effects of taVNS. Furthermore, we will observe the impact of taVNS stimulation on the brain network. Discussion taVNS was a low-risk, easy-to-administer, low-cost, and portable option to modulate the vagus system. taVNS may improve the social performance of HFA. Changes in the network properties of the large-scale brain network may be related to the efficacy of taVNS. Clinical trial registration http://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2300074035.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ke Sun
- Functional Neurosurgery Department, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenhang Zhai
- Functional Neurosurgery Department, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Heqing Yin
- Functional Neurosurgery Department, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuli Liang
- Functional Neurosurgery Department, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Zhai
- Functional Neurosurgery Department, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yonghua Cui
- Department of Psychiatry, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guojun Zhang
- Functional Neurosurgery Department, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xu G, Chen X, Zhang Y. Quantitative susceptibility mapping shows lower brain iron content in children with childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. Jpn J Radiol 2023; 41:1344-1350. [PMID: 37418180 DOI: 10.1007/s11604-023-01464-5] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The dysregulation of brain iron homeostasis is closely relevant to a multitude of chronic neurological disorders. This study employed quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) to detect and compare whole-brain iron content between childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (CECTS) children and typically developing children. MATERIALS AND METHODS 32 children with CECTS and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy children were enrolled. All participants were imaged with 3.0-T MRI to acquire the structural and susceptibility-weighted data. The susceptibility-weighted data were processed using STISuite toolbox to obtain QSM. The magnetic susceptibility difference between the two groups was compared using voxel-wise and region of interest methods. Multivariable linear regression, controlling for age, were employed to investigate the associations between the brain magnetic susceptibility and age at onset. RESULTS Lower magnetic susceptibility was mainly observed in sensory- and motor-related brain regions in children with CECTS, including bilateral middle frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, midcingulate cortex, paracentral lobule and precentral gyrus, the magnetic susceptibility of right paracentral lobule, right precuneus and left supplementary motor area were found to have positive correlation with the age at onset. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the potential iron deficiency in certain brain regions is associated with CECTS, which might be helpful for further illumination of potential pathogenesis mechanism of CECTS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaoqiang Xu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Huichuan District, Zunyi, 563003, Guizhou, China.
| | - Xiaoxi Chen
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Huichuan District, Zunyi, 563003, Guizhou, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- The Public Experimental Center of Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Huichuan District, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li Y, Zhu H, Chen Q, Yang L, Chen F, Ma H, Xu H, Chen K, Bu J, Zhang R. Immediate Effects of Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Revealed by Magnetoencephalographic Recordings. Brain Connect 2023; 13:51-59. [PMID: 35974665 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2022.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been a neuromodulatory option for treating drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), but its mechanism remains unclear. To obtain insight into the mechanism by which VNS reduces epileptic seizures, the immediate effects of VNS in brain networks of DRE patients were investigated when the patients' vagal nerve stimulators were turned on. Methods: The brain network properties of 14 DRE patients with a vagal nerve stimulator and 14 healthy controls were evaluated using magnetoencephalography recordings for 6 main frequency bands. Results: Compared with healthy controls, DRE patients exhibited significant increases in functional connectivity in the theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands and significant reductions in the small-world measure in the theta and beta bands. During periods when patients' vagal nerve stimulators were turned on, DRE patients showed significant reductions in functional connectivity in the theta and alpha bands and a significant increase in the small-world measure in the theta band when compared with periods when patients' vagal nerve stimulators were turned off. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the brain networks of DRE patients were pathologically hypersynchronous and instantaneous VNS can decrease the synchronization of brain networks of epileptic patients, which might play a key role in the mechanism by which VNS reduces epileptic seizures. In the theta band, instantaneous VNS can increase the network efficiency of DRE patients, and the increment in network efficiency may be helpful for improving brain cognitive function in epileptic patients. Impact statement For the first time, we investigated the immediate effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in the brain networks of drug-resistant epilepsy patients using magnetoencephalography. Our results show that instantaneous VNS can decrease the hypersynchronization of epileptic networks and increase the network efficiency of epileptic patients. Our results are helpful in understanding the mechanism of action by which VNS reduces epileptic seizures and improves the cognitive function in epileptic patients and the brain network reorganization caused by long-term VNS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuejun Li
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Magnetoencephalography, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haitao Zhu
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiqi Chen
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Magnetoencephalography, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangqing Chen
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiyan Ma
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Honghao Xu
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kefan Chen
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinxin Bu
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|