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Lu Y, Pike JR, Hoogeveen R, Walker K, Raffield L, Selvin E, Avery C, Engel S, Mielke MM, Garcia T, Heiss G, Palta P. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Longitudinal Change in Imaging and Plasma Biomarkers of Alzheimer Disease and Vascular Pathology. Neurology 2024; 102:e209203. [PMID: 38471046 PMCID: PMC11033987 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000209203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Prospective measures of plasma and cerebral MRI biomarkers of Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular neuropathology provide an opportunity to investigate possible mechanisms linking liver disease and dementia. We aimed to quantify the association of midlife nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with change in plasma and brain MRI biomarkers of AD and vascular neuropathology. METHODS We included participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study with brain MRI measurements of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume and temporal-parietal lobe cortical thickness meta region of interest (ROI) at up to 2 different visits, in 2011-13 and 2016-19, and plasma biomarkers of β-amyloid (Aβ)42:40, phosphorylated tau at threonine 181, and neurofilament light (NfL) were measured up to 3 times in 1993-95, 2011-13, and 2016-19. NAFLD was categorized using the fatty liver index in 1990-92. Multivariate linear regression was performed for associations between midlife NAFLD and change in plasma and brain MRI biomarkers of AD and vascular neuropathology. The primary models adjusted for demographics, Apolipoprotein E, alcohol use, and kidney function. RESULTS Among 1,706 participants (mean age 56 years, 62% female, 28% Black), midlife NAFLD vs no NAFLD was associated with greater late-life WMH volume (difference per SD 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.31) and faster late-life WMH increase over 6 years (difference in annual change, SD 0.28, 95% CI 0.05-0.51), suggesting accumulating vascular pathology. Midlife NAFLD vs no NAFLD was also associated with AD biomarkers in midlife (lower Aβ42:40 [SD -0.21, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.04] measured in 1993-95) and late life (lower Aβ42:40 [SD -0.13, 95% CI -0.23 to -0.03] and lower temporal-parietal lobe cortical thickness meta ROI [SD -0.16, 95% CI -0.28 to -0.05] measured in 2011-13). Although midlife NfL was lower in individuals with vs without midlife NAFLD, those with NAFLD exhibited a faster rate of NfL increase that accelerated over time. DISCUSSION Midlife NAFLD shows associations with AD and accumulating vascular pathology, revealing potential pathways linking liver function to dementia. Plasma biomarkers of neuropathology and neuronal injury may serve as easily measurable and dynamic indicators for monitoring the impacts of impaired liver function on brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Lu
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - James R Pike
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Ron Hoogeveen
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Keenan Walker
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Laura Raffield
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Elizabeth Selvin
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Christy Avery
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Stephanie Engel
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Michelle M Mielke
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Tanya Garcia
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Gerardo Heiss
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Priya Palta
- From the Departments of Epidemiology (Y.L., C.A., S.E., G.H.) and Biostatistics (T.G.), Gillings School of Global Public Health and Departments of Genetics (L.R.) and Neurology (P.P.), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Epidemiology (J.R.P., E.S.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Medicine (R.H.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience (K.W.), National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Epidemiology and Prevention (M.M.M.), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
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Weinstein G, O’Donnell A, Frenzel S, Xiao T, Yaqub A, Yilmaz P, de Knegt RJ, Maestre GE, van Lent DM, Long M, Gireud-Goss M, Ittermann T, Frost F, Bülow R, Vasan RS, Grabe HJ, Ikram MA, Beiser AS, Seshadri S. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, and structural brain imaging: The Cross-Cohort Collaboration. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16048. [PMID: 37641505 PMCID: PMC10840827 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16048] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior studies reported conflicting findings regarding the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis with measures of brain health. We examined whether NAFLD and liver fibrosis are associated with structural brain imaging measures in middle- and old-age adults. METHODS In this cross-sectional study among dementia- and stroke-free individuals, data were pooled from the Offspring and Third Generation cohorts of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), the Rotterdam Study (RS), and the Study of Health in Pomerania. NAFLD was assessed through abdominal imaging. Transient hepatic elastography (FibroScan) was used to assess liver fibrosis in FHS and RS. Linear regression models were used to explore the relation of NAFLD and liver fibrosis with brain volumes, including total brain, gray matter, hippocampus, and white matter hyperintensities, adjusting for potential confounders. Results were combined using fixed effects meta-analysis. RESULTS In total, 5660 and 3022 individuals were included for NAFLD and liver fibrosis analyses, respectively. NAFLD was associated with smaller volumes of total brain (β = -3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -5.4 to -1.7), total gray matter (β = -1.9, 95% CI = -3.4 to -0.3), and total cortical gray matter (β = -1.9, 95% CI = -3.7 to -0.01). In addition, liver fibrosis (defined as liver stiffness measure ≥8.2 kPa) was related to smaller total brain volumes (β = -7.3, 95% CI = -11.1 to -3.5). Heterogeneity between studies was low. CONCLUSIONS NAFLD and liver fibrosis may be directly related to brain aging. Larger and prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings and identify liver-related preventive strategies for neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adrienne O’Donnell
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Framingham Study, Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stefan Frenzel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Tian Xiao
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Amber Yaqub
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pinar Yilmaz
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert J. de Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gladys E. Maestre
- Neurosciences Laboratory, Biological Research Institute and Research Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad del Zulia Maracaibo Venezuela, Maracaibo, Venezuela
- Division of Neurosciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Edinburg, Texas, USA
| | - Debora Melo van Lent
- Framingham Study, Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michelle Long
- Section of Gastroenterology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Monica Gireud-Goss
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Till Ittermann
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Fabian Frost
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Robin Bülow
- Institute for Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ramachandran S. Vasan
- Framingham Study, Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
- Section of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hans J. Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, partner site Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
| | - M. Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Alexa S. Beiser
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Framingham Study, Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sudha Seshadri
- Framingham Study, Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Parikh NS, Basu E, Hwang MJ, Rosenblatt R, VanWagner LB, Lim HI, Murthy SB, Kamel H. Management of Stroke in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease: A Practical Review. Stroke 2023; 54:2461-2471. [PMID: 37417238 PMCID: PMC10527812 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.123.043011] [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: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a highly prevalent condition. There is burgeoning recognition that there are many people with subclinical liver disease that may nonetheless be clinically significant. CLD has a variety of systemic aberrations relevant to stroke, including thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, elevated liver enzymes, and altered drug metabolism. There is a growing body of literature on the intersection of CLD and stroke. Despite this, there have been few efforts to synthesize these data, and stroke guidelines provide scant guidance on this topic. To fill this gap, this multidisciplinary review provides a contemporary overview of CLD for the vascular neurologist while appraising data regarding the impact of CLD on stroke risk, mechanisms, and outcomes. Finally, the review addresses acute and chronic treatment considerations for patients with stroke-ischemic and hemorrhagic-and CLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal S Parikh
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology (N.S.P., E.B., S.B.M., H.K.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | | | - Mu Ji Hwang
- Department of Neurology, Brown University, Providence, RI (M.J.H.)
| | - Russel Rosenblatt
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine (R.R.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Lisa B VanWagner
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas (L.B.V.)
| | - Hana I Lim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine.(H.I.L.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Santosh B Murthy
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology (N.S.P., E.B., S.B.M., H.K.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Hooman Kamel
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology (N.S.P., E.B., S.B.M., H.K.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
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Boccara E, Golan S, Beeri MS. The association between regional adiposity, cognitive function, and dementia-related brain changes: a systematic review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1160426. [PMID: 37457589 PMCID: PMC10349176 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1160426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adiposity has been previously associated with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD). Body mass index (BMI) is the most common measure of global adiposity, but inconsistent results were found since it is a global measurement. BMI does not represent regional fat distribution which differs between sexes, race, and age. Regional fat distribution may contribute differently to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related brain changes. Fat-specific targeted therapies could lead to personalized improvement of cognition. The goal of this systematic review is to explore whether regional fat depots, rather than central obesity, should be used to understand the mechanism underlying the association between adiposity and brain. Methods This systematic review included 33 studies in the English language, conducted in humans aged 18 years and over with assessment of regional adiposity, cognitive function, dementia, and brain measures. We included only studies that have assessed regional adiposity using imaging technics and excluded studies that were review articles, abstract only or letters to editor. Studies on children and adolescents, animal studies, and studies of patients with gastrointestinal diseases were excluded. PubMed, PsychInfo and web of science were used as electronic databases for literature search until November 2022. Results Based on the currently available literature, the findings suggest that different regional fat depots are likely associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment, brain changes and dementia, especially AD. However, different regional fat depots can have different cognitive outcomes and affect the brain differently. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was the most studied regional fat, along with liver fat through non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Pancreatic fat was the least studied regional fat. Conclusion Regional adiposity, which is modifiable, may explain discrepancies in associations of global adiposity, brain, and cognition. Specific regional fat depots lead to abnormal secretion of adipose factors which in turn may penetrate the blood brain barrier leading to brain damage and to cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethel Boccara
- Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
| | - Sapir Golan
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Schnaider Beeri
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Parikh NS, Kamel H, Zhang C, Gupta A, Cohen DE, de Leon MJ, Gottesman RF, Iadecola C. Association of liver fibrosis with cognitive test performance and brain imaging parameters in the UK Biobank study. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:1518-1528. [PMID: 36149265 PMCID: PMC10033462 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We hypothesized that liver fibrosis is associated with worse cognitive performance and corresponding brain imaging changes. METHODS We examined the association of liver fibrosis with cognition and brain imaging parameters in the UK Biobank study. Liver fibrosis was assessed using the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score. The primary cognitive outcome was the digit symbol substitution test (DSST); secondary outcomes were additional executive function/processing speed and memory tests. Imaging outcomes were hippocampal, total brain, and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes. RESULTS We included 105,313 participants with cognitive test data, and 41,982 with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In adjusted models, liver fibrosis was associated with worse performance on the DSST and tests of executive function but not memory. Liver fibrosis was associated with lower hippocampal and total brain volumes, without compelling association with WMH volume. DISCUSSION Liver fibrosis is associated with worse performance on select cognitive tests and lower hippocampal and total brain volumes. HIGHLIGHTS It is increasingly recognized that chronic liver conditions impact brain health. We performed an analysis of data from the UK Biobank prospective cohort study. Liver fibrosis was associated with worse performance on executive function tests. Liver fibrosis was not associated with memory impairment. Liver fibrosis was associated with lower hippocampal and total brain volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal S Parikh
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hooman Kamel
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Cenai Zhang
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ajay Gupta
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - David E Cohen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mony J de Leon
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rebecca F Gottesman
- Stroke Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Costantino Iadecola
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Yilmaz P, Alferink LJM, Cremers LGM, Murad SD, Niessen WJ, Ikram MA, Vernooij MW. Subclinical liver traits are associated with structural and hemodynamic brain imaging markers. Liver Int 2023; 43:1256-1268. [PMID: 36801835 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Impaired liver function affects brain health and therefore understanding potential mechanisms for subclinical liver disease is essential. We assessed the liver-brain associations using liver measures with brain imaging markers, and cognitive measures in the general population. METHODS Within the population-based Rotterdam Study, liver serum and imaging measures (ultrasound and transient elastography), metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and fibrosis phenotypes, and brain structure were determined in 3493 non-demented and stroke-free participants in 2009-2014. This resulted in subgroups of n = 3493 for MAFLD (mean age 69 ± 9 years, 56% ♀), n = 2938 for NAFLD (mean age 70 ± 9 years, 56% ♀) and n = 2252 for fibrosis (mean age 65 ± 7 years, 54% ♀). Imaging markers of small vessel disease and neurodegeneration, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and brain perfusion (BP) were acquired from brain MRI (1.5-tesla). General cognitive function was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination and the g-factor. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used for liver-brain associations and adjusted for age, sex, intracranial volume, cardiovascular risk factors and alcohol use. RESULTS Higher gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels were significantly associated with smaller total brain volume (TBV, standardized mean difference (SMD), -0.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-0.03 to -0.01); p = 8.4·10-4 ), grey matter volumes, and lower CBF and BP. Liver serum measures were not related to small vessel disease markers, nor to white matter microstructural integrity or general cognition. Participants with ultrasound-based liver steatosis had a higher fractional anisotropy (FA, SMD 0.11, 95% CI (0.04 to 0.17), p = 1.5·10-3 ) and lower CBF and BP. MAFLD and NAFLD phenotypes were associated with alterations in white matter microstructural integrity (NAFLD ~ FA, SMD 0.14, 95% CI (0.07 to 0.22), p = 1.6·10-4 ; NAFLD ~ mean diffusivity, SMD -0.12, 95% CI (-0.18 to -0.05), p = 4.7·10-4 ) and also with lower CBF and BP (MAFLD ~ CBF, SMD -0.13, 95% CI (-0.20 to -0.06), p = 3.1·10-4 ; MAFLD ~ BP, SMD -0.12, 95% CI (-0.20 to -0.05), p = 1.6·10-3 ). Furthermore, fibrosis phenotypes were related to TBV, grey and white matter volumes. CONCLUSIONS Presence of liver steatosis, fibrosis and elevated serum GGT are associated with structural and hemodynamic brain markers in a population-based cross-sectional setting. Understanding the hepatic role in brain changes can target modifiable factors and prevent brain dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Yilmaz
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Louise J M Alferink
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lotte G M Cremers
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sarwa D Murad
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wiro J Niessen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - M Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Meike W Vernooij
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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7
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Kwon H, Shin S, Baek CH, Chang JY, Kang DW, Kwon SU, Kim JS, Kim BJ. Characteristics of stroke after liver and kidney transplantation. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1123518. [PMID: 37034098 PMCID: PMC10073414 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1123518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The mechanism and characteristics of a post-transplantation stroke may differ between liver (LT) and kidney transplantation (KT), as the associated comorbidities and peri-surgical conditions are different. Herein, we investigated the characteristics and etiologies of stroke occurring after LT and KT. Methods Consecutive patients who received LT or KT between January 2005 to December 2020 who were diagnosed with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke after transplantation were enrolled. Ischemic strokes were further classified according to the etiologies. The characteristics of stroke, including in-hospital stroke, perioperative stroke, stroke etiology, and timing of stroke, were compared between the LT and KT groups. Results There were 105 (1.8%) and 58 (1.3%) post-transplantation stroke patients in 5,950 LT and 4,475 KT recipients, respectively. Diabetes, hypertension, and coronary arterial disease were less frequent in the LT than the KT group. In-hospital and perioperative strokes were more common in LT than in the KT group (LT, 57.9%; KT, 39.7%; p = 0.03, and LT, 43.9%; KT, 27.6%; p = 0.04, respectively). Hemorrhagic strokes were also more common in the LT group (LT, 25.2%; KT, 8.6%; p = 0.01). Analysis of ischemic stroke etiology did not reveal significant difference between the two groups; undetermined etiology was the most common, followed by small vessel occlusion and cardioembolism. The 3-month mortality was similar between the two groups (both LT and KT, 10.3%) and was independently associated with in-hospital stroke and elevated C-reactive protein. Conclusions In-hospital, perioperative, and hemorrhagic strokes were more common in the LT group than in the KT group. Ischemic stroke subtypes did not differ significantly between the two groups and undetermined etiology was the most common cause of ischemic stroke in both groups. High mortality after stroke was noted in transplantation patients and was associated with in-hospital stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanim Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Shin
- Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chung Hee Baek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Young Chang
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Wha Kang
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun U. Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong S. Kim
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neurology, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Bum Joon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- *Correspondence: Bum Joon Kim
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8
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McCracken C, Raisi-Estabragh Z, Veldsman M, Raman B, Dennis A, Husain M, Nichols TE, Petersen SE, Neubauer S. Multi-organ imaging demonstrates the heart-brain-liver axis in UK Biobank participants. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7839. [PMID: 36543768 PMCID: PMC9772225 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35321-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Medical imaging provides numerous insights into the subclinical changes that precede serious diseases such as heart disease and dementia. However, most imaging research either describes a single organ system or draws on clinical cohorts with small sample sizes. In this study, we use state-of-the-art multi-organ magnetic resonance imaging phenotypes to investigate cross-sectional relationships across the heart-brain-liver axis in 30,444 UK Biobank participants. Despite controlling for an extensive range of demographic and clinical covariates, we find significant associations between imaging-derived phenotypes of the heart (left ventricular structure, function and aortic distensibility), brain (brain volumes, white matter hyperintensities and white matter microstructure), and liver (liver fat, liver iron and fibroinflammation). Simultaneous three-organ modelling identifies differentially important pathways across the heart-brain-liver axis with evidence of both direct and indirect associations. This study describes a potentially cumulative burden of multiple-organ dysfunction and provides essential insight into multi-organ disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste McCracken
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Zahra Raisi-Estabragh
- William Harvey Research Institute, NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, UK.
| | - Michele Veldsman
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN FMRIB), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Betty Raman
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Andrea Dennis
- Perspectum Ltd, Gemini One, 5520 John Smith Drive, Oxford, OX4 2LL, UK
| | - Masud Husain
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN FMRIB), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas E Nichols
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN FMRIB), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Oxford Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Steffen E Petersen
- William Harvey Research Institute, NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, UK
- Health Data Research UK, London, UK
- The Alan Turing Institute, London, UK
| | - Stefan Neubauer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
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9
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Association of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor with hepatic enzymes, AST/ALT ratio, and FIB-4 index in middle-aged and older women. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273056. [PMID: 35998179 PMCID: PMC9398011 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Substantial evidence suggests an important role of liver function in brain health. Liver function is clinically assessed by measuring the activity of hepatic enzymes in the peripheral blood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important regulator of brain function. Therefore, we hypothesized that blood BDNF levels are associated with liver function and fibrosis. To test this hypothesis, in this cross-sectional study, we investigated whether serum BDNF concentration is associated with liver enzyme activity, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index in middle-aged and older women. We found that serum BDNF level showed a significant positive association with ALT and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activity and negative association with FIB-4 index, and a trend of negative association with the AST/ALT ratio after adjustment for age. Additionally, these associations remained statistically significant even after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) and fasting blood glucose level. These results demonstrate associations of serum BDNF levels with liver enzymes and hepatic fibrosis-related indices, which may underlie liver-brain interactions.
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10
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Weinstein G, O'Donnell A, Davis-Plourde K, Zelber-Sagi S, Ghosh S, DeCarli CS, Thibault EG, Sperling RA, Johnson KA, Beiser AS, Seshadri S. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Liver Fibrosis, and Regional Amyloid-β and Tau Pathology in Middle-Aged Adults: The Framingham Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 86:1371-1383. [PMID: 35213373 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver steatosis and fibrosis are emerging as risk factors for multiple extrahepatic health conditions; however, their relationship with Alzheimer's disease pathology is unclear. OBJECTIVE To examine whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and FIB-4, a non-invasive index of advanced fibrosis, are associated with brain amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathology. METHODS The study sample included Framingham Study participants from the Offspring and Third generation cohorts who attended exams 9 (2011-2014) and 2 (2008-2011), respectively. Participants underwent 11C-Pittsburgh Compound-B amyloid and 18F-Flortaucipir tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and abdomen computed tomography, or had information on all components of the FIB-4 index. Linear regression models were used to assess the relationship of NAFLD and FIB-4 with regional tau and Aβ, adjusting for potential confounders and multiple comparisons. RESULTS Of the subsample with NAFLD information (N = 169; mean age 52±9 y; 57% males), 57 (34%) had NAFLD. Of the subsample with information on liver fibrosis (N = 177; mean age 50±10 y; 51% males), 34 (19%) had advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 > 1.3). Prevalent NAFLD was not associated with Aβ or tau PET. However, FIB-4 index was significantly associated with increased rhinal tau (β= 1.03±0.33, p = 0.002). Among individuals with prevalent NAFLD, FIB-4 was related to inferior temporal, parahippocampal gyrus, entorhinal and rhinal tau (β= 2.01±0.47, p < 0.001; β= 1.60±0.53, p = 0.007, and β= 1.59±0.47, p = 0.003 and β= 1.60±0.42, p = 0.001, respectively) and to Aβ deposition overall and in the inferior temporal and parahippocampal regions (β= 1.93±0.47, p < 0.001; β= 1.59±0.38, p < 0.001, and β= 1.52±0.54, p = 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION This study suggests a possible association between liver fibrosis and early Alzheimer's disease pathology, independently of cardio-metabolic risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adrienne O'Donnell
- Department of Biostatistics, BostonUniversity School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Kendra Davis-Plourde
- Department of Biostatistics, BostonUniversity School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Shira Zelber-Sagi
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,Liver Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Saptaparni Ghosh
- The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Boston University Schoolof Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles S DeCarli
- Department ofNeurology, School of Medicine & Imaging of Dementia and AgingLaboratory, Center for Neuroscience, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Emma G Thibault
- Department of Radiology, AthinoulaA. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts GeneralHospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reisa A Sperling
- Department of Radiology, AthinoulaA. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts GeneralHospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts GeneralHospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith A Johnson
- Department of Radiology, AthinoulaA. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts GeneralHospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts GeneralHospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexa S Beiser
- Department of Biostatistics, BostonUniversity School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Boston University Schoolof Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sudha Seshadri
- The Framingham Study, Framingham, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Boston University Schoolof Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's andNeurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health SciencesCenter, San Antonio, TX, USA
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11
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common comorbidity and has wide ranging extrahepatic manifestations, including through cardiometabolic pathways. As such, there is growing interest in the impact of NAFLD on cerebrovascular disease and brain health more broadly. In this review, we assess recent research into understanding the association between NAFLD and brain health while highlighting potential clinical implications. RECENT FINDINGS Mechanistically, NAFLD is characterized by both a proinflammatory and proatherogenic state, which results in vascular inflammation and neurodegeneration, potentially leading to clinical and subclinical cerebrovascular disease. Mounting epidemiological evidence suggests an association between NAFLD and an increased risk and severity of stroke, independent of other vascular risk factors. Studies also implicate NAFLD in subclinical cerebrovascular disease, such as carotid atherosclerosis and microvascular disease. In contrast, there does not appear to be an independent association between NAFLD and cognitive impairment. SUMMARY The current literature supports the formulation of NAFLD as a multisystem disease that may also have implications for cerebrovascular disease and brain health. Further prospective studies are needed to better assess a temporal relationship between the two diseases, confirm these early findings, and decipher mechanistic links.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahil Khanna
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Neal S. Parikh
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine
| | - Lisa B. VanWagner
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
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12
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Liu Q, Liu C, Hu F, Deng X, Zhang Y. Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Longitudinal Cognitive Changes in Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:738835. [PMID: 35111769 PMCID: PMC8803120 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.738835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and PurposeNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cognitive impairment are common aging-related disorders. This study aims to explore the changes of cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly population with NAFLD from a Jidong impairment cohort.MethodsA total of 1,651 middle-aged and elderly participants (>40 years) without cognitive impairment were recruited into the current study in 2015 and were followed up until to 2019. Abdominal ultrasonography was used for diagnosis of NAFLD. Global cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Cognitive impairment was defined as a score <18 for illiterates, a score <21 for primary school graduates, and a score <25 for junior school graduates or above. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between NAFLD and the four-year cognitive changes.ResultsOut of 1,651 participants, 795 (48.2%) of them had NAFLD in 2015. Cognitive impairment occurred in 241 (14.6%) participants in 2019. Patients with NAFLD had higher 4-year incidence of cognitive impairment than non-NAFLD patients did (17.7 vs. 11.7%, p < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed significant association of baseline NAFLD with lower MMSE score in 2019 (β = −0.36, p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic analysis found that the adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of baseline NAFLD was 1.45 (1.00–2.11) for cognitive impairment in 2019 (p = 0.05). We also identified effects of baseline NAFLD on subsequent cognitive impairment as modified by age (interaction p < 0.01) and carotid stenosis (interaction p = 0.05) but not by gender.ConclusionsNAFLD is associated with cognitive decline, especially in middle-aged and with carotid stenosis population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Feifei Hu
- Clinical Research Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Deng
- Clinical Research Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yumei Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yumei Zhang
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13
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Cerebrovascular alterations in NAFLD: Is it increasing our risk of Alzheimer's disease? Anal Biochem 2021; 636:114387. [PMID: 34537182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multisystem disease, which has been classified as an emerging epidemic not only confined to liver-related morbidity and mortality. It is also becoming apparent that NAFLD is associated with moderate cerebral dysfunction and cognitive decline. A possible link between NAFLD and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has only recently been proposed due to the multiple shared genes and pathological mechanisms contributing to the development of these conditions. Although AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, the exact pathophysiological mechanism remains ambiguous and similarly to NAFLD, currently available pharmacological therapies have mostly failed in clinical trials. In addition to the usual suspects (inflammation, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier alterations and ageing) that could contribute to the NAFLD-induced development and progression of AD, changes in the vasculature, cerebral perfusion and waste clearance could be the missing link between these two diseases. Here, we review the most recent literature linking NAFLD and AD, focusing on cerebrovascular alterations and the brain's clearance system as risk factors involved in the development and progression of AD, with the aim of promoting further research using neuroimaging techniques and new mechanism-based therapeutic interventions.
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14
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Oh CH, Lee JS. Innumerable cerebral microbleeds in hepatitis B virus-related decompensated liver cirrhosis: a case report. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:245. [PMID: 34172015 PMCID: PMC8234623 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02291-9] [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: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are small, rounded, dark-signal lesions on brain MRI that represent cerebral hemosiderin deposits resulting from prior microhemorrhages and are neuroimaging biomarkers of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Here, we report a case of innumerable CMBs in a patient with hepatic encephalopathy underlying decompensated liver cirrhosis. Case presentation An 83-year-old woman diagnosed with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis 40 years before was referred to our neurology clinic for progressive disorientation of time and place, personality changes, and confusion with somnolence over 2 weeks. Based on the laboratory, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological findings, we diagnosed the patient with hepatic encephalopathy, and her symptoms recovered within 12 h after proper medical management. Brain MRI showed innumerable CMBs in the bilateral frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. Since the distribution of CMBs in the patient was mainly corticosubcortical and predominantly in the posterior cortical regions, and the apolipoprotein E genotype was ε4/ε4, we speculated that CAA and hepatic encephalopathy coexisted in this patient. Conclusions We suggest that severe liver dysfunction associated with long-term decompensated liver cirrhosis may be related to an increased number of CMBs in the brain. Our findings indicate that decompensated liver cirrhosis may be a risk factor for the development of CMBs and corroborate a link between the liver and the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Hyuk Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02447, South Korea
| | - Jin San Lee
- Department of Neurology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, #23 Kyunghee-daero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea.
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15
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Nakazaki M, Oka S, Sasaki M, Kataoka-Sasaki Y, Nagahama H, Hashi K, Kocsis JD, Honmou O. Prolonged lifespan in a spontaneously hypertensive rat (stroke prone) model following intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells. Heliyon 2021; 6:e05833. [PMID: 33392407 PMCID: PMC7773587 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been reported to provide therapeutic efficacy via microvascular remodeling in a spontaneously hypertensive rat. In this study, we demonstrate that intravenous infusion of MSCs increased the survival rate in a spontaneously hypertensive (stroke prone) rat model in which organs including kidney, brain, heart and liver are damaged during aging due to spontaneous hypertension. Gene expression analysis indicated that infused MSCs activates transforming growth factor-β1-smad3/forkhead box O1 signaling pathway. Renal dysfunction was recovered after MSC infusion. Collectively, intravenous infusion of MSC may extend lifespan in this model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Nakazaki
- Department of Neural Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, USA.,Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, 06516, USA
| | - Shinichi Oka
- Department of Neural Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Masanori Sasaki
- Department of Neural Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, USA.,Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, 06516, USA
| | - Yuko Kataoka-Sasaki
- Department of Neural Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nagahama
- Department of Neural Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Kazuo Hashi
- Department of Neural Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Jeffery D Kocsis
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, USA.,Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, 06516, USA
| | - Osamu Honmou
- Department of Neural Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, USA.,Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, 06516, USA
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16
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Parikh NS, Dueker N, Varela D, Del Brutto VJ, Rundek T, Wright CB, Sacco RL, Elkind MSV, Gutierrez J. Association between PNPLA3 rs738409 G variant and MRI cerebrovascular disease biomarkers. J Neurol Sci 2020; 416:116981. [PMID: 32592869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116981] [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: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with greater cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume and microbleeds. The adiponutrin (PNPLA3) rs738409 G variant, a robust NAFLD susceptibility variant, has been variably associated with carotid atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that this variant is associated with WMH volume, microbleeds, covert brain infarction (CBI), and small perivascular spaces. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the Northern Manhattan Study-MRI Substudy. The associations between the rs738409 G variant allele and outcomes were assessed using linear regression for WMH volume, logistic regression for microbleeds and CBI, and Poisson regression for small perivascular spaces. Models were adjusted for age, sex, principal components, diabetes, and body mass index. RESULTS We included 1063 Northern Manhattan Study participants who had brain MRI and genotype data available (mean age 70 ± 9 years, 61% women). The G allele frequency was 24%. The prevalence of any microbleeds and CBI were 8% and 18%, respectively. The median WMH volume and small perivascular space count score were 7.7 mL and 6, respectively. GG homozygosity, but not heterozygosity, was associated with WMH volume (β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.03, 0.51) compared to non-carriers. Having at least one G allele was associated with the presence of microbleeds (Odds ratio, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.02, 3.12); the association was attenuated in other models. No associations were observed for CBI and small perivascular spaces. CONCLUSION The PNPLA3 rs738409 G allele was associated with greater WMH volume, and inconsistent associations with microbleeds were seen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal S Parikh
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Nicole Dueker
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Dalila Varela
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Victor J Del Brutto
- Department of Neurology, Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tatjana Rundek
- Department of Neurology, Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Clinton B Wright
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ralph L Sacco
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Neurology, Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Mitchell S V Elkind
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jose Gutierrez
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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17
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Parikh NS, Gutierrez J. Response to letter to the editor by Kawada on "Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with advanced fibrosis and stroke". J Neurol Sci 2020; 408:116574. [PMID: 31732172 PMCID: PMC7984510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.116574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Neal S Parikh
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America.
| | - Jose Gutierrez
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
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Kawada T. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with advanced fibrosis, stroke and cardiovascular disease. J Neurol Sci 2019; 408:116575. [PMID: 31727327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.116575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Kawada
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.
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