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Wu J, Ye S, Liu X, Xu Y, Fan D. The burden of upper motor neuron involvement is correlated with the bilateral limb involvement interval in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a retrospective observational study. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1505-1512. [PMID: 39075916 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202505000-00032/figure1/v/2024-07-28T173839Z/r/image-tiff Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterized by the involvement of both upper and lower motor neurons. Early bilateral limb involvement significantly affects patients' daily lives and may lead them to be confined to bed. However, the effect of upper and lower motor neuron impairment and other risk factors on bilateral limb involvement is unclear. To address this issue, we retrospectively collected data from 586 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset diagnosed at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2020 and May 2022. A univariate analysis revealed no significant differences in the time intervals of spread in different directions between individuals with upper motor neuron-dominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and those with classic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We used causal directed acyclic graphs for risk factor determination and Cox proportional hazards models to investigate the association between the duration of bilateral limb involvement and clinical baseline characteristics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Multiple factor analyses revealed that higher upper motor neuron scores (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.09, P = 0.018), onset in the left limb (HR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.58-0.89, P = 0.002), and a horizontal pattern of progression (HR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.37-0.58, P < 0.001) were risk factors for a shorter interval until bilateral limb involvement. The results demonstrated that a greater degree of upper motor neuron involvement might cause contralateral limb involvement to progress more quickly in limb-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. These findings may improve the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset and the prediction of patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieying Wu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Ye
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yingsheng Xu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
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2
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Jacob SM, Lee S, Kim SH, Sharkey KA, Pfeffer G, Nguyen MD. Brain-body mechanisms contribute to sexual dimorphism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:475-494. [PMID: 38965379 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-024-00991-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of human motor neuron disease. It is characterized by the progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to generalized motor weakness and, ultimately, respiratory paralysis and death within 3-5 years. The disease is shaped by genetics, age, sex and environmental stressors, but no cure or routine biomarkers exist for the disease. Male individuals have a higher propensity to develop ALS, and a different manifestation of the disease phenotype, than female individuals. However, the mechanisms underlying these sex differences remain a mystery. In this Review, we summarize the epidemiology of ALS, examine the sexually dimorphic presentation of the disease and highlight the genetic variants and molecular pathways that might contribute to sex differences in humans and animal models of ALS. We advance the idea that sexual dimorphism in ALS arises from the interactions between the CNS and peripheral organs, involving vascular, metabolic, endocrine, musculoskeletal and immune systems, which are strikingly different between male and female individuals. Finally, we review the response to treatments in ALS and discuss the potential to implement future personalized therapeutic strategies for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Jacob
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sukyoung Lee
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Seung Hyun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Keith A Sharkey
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gerald Pfeffer
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Minh Dang Nguyen
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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3
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Darabi S, Ariaei A, Rustamzadeh A, Afshari D, Charkhat Gorgich EA, Darabi L. Cerebrospinal fluid and blood exosomes as biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; a systematic review. Diagn Pathol 2024; 19:47. [PMID: 38429818 PMCID: PMC10908104 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-024-01473-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal motor neuron disease. Due to the limited knowledge about potential biomarkers that help in early diagnosis and monitoring disease progression, today's diagnoses are based on ruling out other diseases, neurography, and electromyography examination, which takes a time-consuming procedure. METHODS PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science were explored to extract articles published from January 2015 to June 2023. In the searching strategy following keywords were included; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, biomarkers, cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and plama. RESULTS A total number of 6 studies describing fluid-based exosomal biomarkers were included in this study. Aggregated proteins including SOD1, TDP-43, pTDP-43, and FUS could be detected in the microvesicles (MVs). Moreover, TDP-43 and NFL extracted from plasma exosomes could be used as prognostic biomarkers. Also, downregulated miR-27a-3p detected through exoEasy Maxi and exoQuick Kit in the plasma could be measured as a diagnostic biomarker. Eventually, the upregulated level of CORO1A could be used to monitor disease progression. CONCLUSION Based on the results, each biomarker alone is insufficient to evaluate ALS. CNS-derived exosomes contain multiple ALS-related biomarkers (SOD1, TDP-43, pTDP-43, FUS, and miRNAs) that are detectable in cerebrospinal fluid and blood is a proper alternation. Exosome detecting kits listed as exoEasy, ExoQuick, Exo-spin, ME kit, ExoQuick Plus, and Exo-Flow, are helpful to reach this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Darabi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Armin Ariaei
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Auob Rustamzadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Highway, next to Milad Tower, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Dariush Afshari
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | | | - Leila Darabi
- Department of Neurology, Tehran Medical Science Branch, Amir Al Momenin Hospital, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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4
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Bagyinszky E, Hulme J, An SSA. Studies of Genetic and Proteomic Risk Factors of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Inspire Biomarker Development and Gene Therapy. Cells 2023; 12:1948. [PMID: 37566027 PMCID: PMC10417729 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting the upper and lower motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, motor impairments, disabilities and death. Approximately 5-10% of ALS cases are associated with positive family history (familial ALS or fALS), whilst the remainder are sporadic (sporadic ALS, sALS). At least 50 genes have been identified as causative or risk factors for ALS. Established pathogenic variants include superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD1), chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (c9orf72), TAR DNA Binding Protein (TARDBP), and Fused In Sarcoma (FUS); additional ALS-related genes including Charged Multivesicular Body Protein 2B (CHMP2B), Senataxin (SETX), Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1), TANK Binding Kinase 1 (TBK1) and NIMA Related Kinase 1 (NEK1), have been identified. Mutations in these genes could impair different mechanisms, including vesicle transport, autophagy, and cytoskeletal or mitochondrial functions. So far, there is no effective therapy against ALS. Thus, early diagnosis and disease risk predictions remain one of the best options against ALS symptomologies. Proteomic biomarkers, microRNAs, and extracellular vehicles (EVs) serve as promising tools for disease diagnosis or progression assessment. These markers are relatively easy to obtain from blood or cerebrospinal fluids and can be used to identify potential genetic causative and risk factors even in the preclinical stage before symptoms appear. In addition, antisense oligonucleotides and RNA gene therapies have successfully been employed against other diseases, such as childhood-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which could also give hope to ALS patients. Therefore, an effective gene and biomarker panel should be generated for potentially "at risk" individuals to provide timely interventions and better treatment outcomes for ALS patients as soon as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Bagyinszky
- Graduate School of Environment Department of Industrial and Environmental Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea;
| | - John Hulme
- Graduate School of Environment Department of Industrial and Environmental Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea;
| | - Seong Soo A. An
- Department of Bionano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
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5
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Arnold FJ, Nguyen AD, Bedlack RS, Bennett CL, La Spada AR. Intercellular transmission of pathogenic proteins in ALS: Exploring the pathogenic wave. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106218. [PMID: 37394036 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), disease symptoms and pathology typically spread in a predictable spatiotemporal pattern beginning at a focal site of onset and progressing along defined neuroanatomical tracts. Like other neurodegenerative diseases, ALS is characterized by the presence of protein aggregates in postmortem patient tissue. Cytoplasmic, ubiquitin-positive aggregates of TDP-43 are observed in approximately 97% of sporadic and familial ALS patients, while SOD1 inclusions are likely specific to cases of SOD1-ALS. Additionally, the most common subtype of familial ALS, caused by a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the first intron of the C9orf72 gene (C9-ALS), is further characterized by the presence of aggregated dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). As we will describe, cell-to-cell propagation of these pathological proteins tightly correlates with the contiguous spread of disease. While TDP-43 and SOD1 are capable of seeding protein misfolding and aggregation in a prion-like manner, C9orf72 DPRs appear to induce (and transmit) a 'disease state' more generally. Multiple mechanisms of intercellular transport have been described for all of these proteins, including anterograde and retrograde axonal transport, extracellular vesicle secretion, and macropinocytosis. In addition to neuron-to-neuron transmission, transmission of pathological proteins occurs between neurons and glia. Given that the spread of ALS disease pathology corresponds with the spread of symptoms in patients, the various mechanisms by which ALS-associated protein aggregates propagate through the central nervous system should be closely examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Arnold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - A D Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - R S Bedlack
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - C L Bennett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - A R La Spada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Departments of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; UCI Center for Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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6
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Schreiber S, Bernal J, Arndt P, Schreiber F, Müller P, Morton L, Braun-Dullaeus RC, Valdés-Hernández MDC, Duarte R, Wardlaw JM, Meuth SG, Mietzner G, Vielhaber S, Dunay IR, Dityatev A, Jandke S, Mattern H. Brain Vascular Health in ALS Is Mediated through Motor Cortex Microvascular Integrity. Cells 2023; 12:957. [PMID: 36980297 PMCID: PMC10047140 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain vascular health appears to be critical for preventing the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and slowing its progression. ALS patients often demonstrate cardiovascular risk factors and commonly suffer from cerebrovascular disease, with evidence of pathological alterations in their small cerebral blood vessels. Impaired vascular brain health has detrimental effects on motor neurons: vascular endothelial growth factor levels are lowered in ALS, which can compromise endothelial cell formation and the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Increased turnover of neurovascular unit cells precedes their senescence, which, together with pericyte alterations, further fosters the failure of toxic metabolite removal. We here provide a comprehensive overview of the pathogenesis of impaired brain vascular health in ALS and how novel magnetic resonance imaging techniques can aid its detection. In particular, we discuss vascular patterns of blood supply to the motor cortex with the number of branches from the anterior and middle cerebral arteries acting as a novel marker of resistance and resilience against downstream effects of vascular risk and events in ALS. We outline how certain interventions adapted to patient needs and capabilities have the potential to mechanistically target the brain microvasculature towards favorable motor cortex blood supply patterns. Through this strategy, we aim to guide novel approaches to ALS management and a better understanding of ALS pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Schreiber
- Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jose Bernal
- Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Arndt
- Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Frank Schreiber
- Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Müller
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology and Angiology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Lorena Morton
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Roberto Duarte
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Edinburgh EH16 4UX, UK
| | - Joanna Marguerite Wardlaw
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Edinburgh EH16 4UX, UK
| | - Sven Günther Meuth
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Grazia Mietzner
- Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Vielhaber
- Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ildiko Rita Dunay
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Dityatev
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Solveig Jandke
- Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Mattern
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) within the Helmholtz Association, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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7
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Vidovic M, Müschen LH, Brakemeier S, Machetanz G, Naumann M, Castro-Gomez S. Current State and Future Directions in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050736. [PMID: 36899872 PMCID: PMC10000757 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in progressive weakness of all voluntary muscles and eventual respiratory failure. Non-motor symptoms, such as cognitive and behavioral changes, frequently occur over the course of the disease. Considering its poor prognosis with a median survival time of 2 to 4 years and limited causal treatment options, an early diagnosis of ALS plays an essential role. In the past, diagnosis has primarily been determined by clinical findings supported by electrophysiological and laboratory measurements. To increase diagnostic accuracy, reduce diagnostic delay, optimize stratification in clinical trials and provide quantitative monitoring of disease progression and treatment responsivity, research on disease-specific and feasible fluid biomarkers, such as neurofilaments, has been intensely pursued. Advances in imaging techniques have additionally yielded diagnostic benefits. Growing perception and greater availability of genetic testing facilitate early identification of pathogenic ALS-related gene mutations, predictive testing and access to novel therapeutic agents in clinical trials addressing disease-modified therapies before the advent of the first clinical symptoms. Lately, personalized survival prediction models have been proposed to offer a more detailed disclosure of the prognosis for the patient. In this review, the established procedures and future directions in the diagnostics of ALS are summarized to serve as a practical guideline and to improve the diagnostic pathway of this burdensome disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Vidovic
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (S.C.-G.)
| | | | - Svenja Brakemeier
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Gerrit Machetanz
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Marcel Naumann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Sergio Castro-Gomez
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease and Geriatric Psychiatry/Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Physiology II, University Hospital Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (S.C.-G.)
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8
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Holdom CJ, van Unnik JWJ, van Eijk RPA, van den Berg LH, Henderson RD, Ngo ST, Steyn FJ. Use of hip- versus wrist-based actigraphy for assessing functional decline and disease progression in patients with motor neuron disease. J Neurol 2023; 270:2597-2605. [PMID: 36740646 PMCID: PMC10129939 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11584-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Actigraphy has been proposed as a measure for tracking functional decline and disease progression in patients with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). There is, however, little evidence to show that wrist-based actigraphy measures correlate with functional decline, and no consensus on how best to implement actigraphy. We report on the use of wrist actigraphy to show decreased activity in patients compared to controls, and compared the utility of wrist- and hip-based actigraphy for assessing functional decline in patients with MND. METHODS In this multi-cohort, multi-centre, natural history study, wrist- and hip-based actigraphy were assessed in 139 patients with MND (wrist, n = 97; hip, n = 42) and 56 non-neurological control participants (wrist, n = 56). For patients with MND, longitudinal measures were contrasted with clinical outcomes commonly used to define functional decline. RESULTS Patients with MND have reduced wrist-based actigraphy scores when compared to controls (median differences: prop. active = - 0.053 [- 0.075, - 0.026], variation axis 1 = - 0.073 [- 0.112, - 0.021]). When comparing wrist- and hip-based measures, hip-based accelerometery had stronger correlations with disease progression (prop. active: τ = 0.20 vs 0.12; variation axis 1: τ = 0.33 vs 0.23), whereas baseline wrist-based accelerometery was better related with future decline in fine-motor function (τ = 0.14-0.23 vs 0.06-0.16). CONCLUSIONS Actigraphy outcomes measured from the wrist are more variable than from the hip and present differing sensitivity to specific functional outcomes. Outcomes and analysis should be carefully constructed to maximise benefit, should wrist-worn devices be used for at-home monitoring of disease progression in patients with MND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory J Holdom
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jordi W J van Unnik
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert D Henderson
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia. .,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. .,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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9
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Pinto S, Gromicho M, Oliveira Santos MO, Swash M, De Carvalho M. Respiratory onset in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: clinical features and spreading pattern. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023; 24:40-44. [PMID: 35510537 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2067777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Objective To describe the clinical features and progression of patients with respiratory onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: We analyzed the clinical features, including respiratory tests, functional score, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) time and survival of ALS patients with respiratory-onset in our database consisting of 1688 patients. In a subset of 625 ALS patients we analyzed the spreading pattern to other bodily regions. Results: We included 1579 patients with ALS. Sixty-three patients (4%) presented respiratory-onset (79.4% men, mean onset-age 67.7 ± 8.9yrs). All had predominant LMN involvement, and significant weight loss (>10%) was identified in 38.9%. The respiratory tests were abnormal in these respiratory-onset patients (p < 0.001). ALSFRS-R respiratory subscore was lower in this population (p < 0.001). NIV was adapted in 84.1%, sooner than in the larger group of ALS patients (p < 0.001), and survival from disease onset was shorter (p < 0.001). Respiratory-onset was a predictor of time to NIV (X2=42.0, p < 0.001) and of survival (X2=7.1, p = 0.008). The spreading pattern was studied in 18 patients with isolated respiratory-onset. The progression interval to the 2nd region was 4.7 ± 5.7mo and to a 3rd region 6.1 ± 8.7mo. Different patterns of spread had no impact on survival. Conclusions: This phenotype is typically seen in emaciated older men with predominant lower motor neuron involvement, and is associated with diaphragm paresis and central respiratory involvement. NIV adaptation is rapid but total survival is shorter than in the other patients. Spreading pattern did not affect time to NIV adaptation or total survival, as NIV support is a modifying treatment in the course of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Pinto
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes - Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Rehabiliteringsmedicin, Instituten för medicinska vetenskaper, Uppsala Universitet - Akademiska sjukhuset, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes - Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Oliveira Oliveira Santos
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes - Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Michael Swash
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes - Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mamede De Carvalho
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes - Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
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10
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Molecular subtypes of ALS are associated with differences in patient prognosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:95. [PMID: 36609402 PMCID: PMC9822908 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35494-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with poorly understood clinical heterogeneity, underscored by significant differences in patient age at onset, symptom progression, therapeutic response, disease duration, and comorbidity presentation. We perform a patient stratification analysis to better understand the variability in ALS pathology, utilizing postmortem frontal and motor cortex transcriptomes derived from 208 patients. Building on the emerging role of transposable element (TE) expression in ALS, we consider locus-specific TEs as distinct molecular features during stratification. Here, we identify three unique molecular subtypes in this ALS cohort, with significant differences in patient survival. These results suggest independent disease mechanisms drive some of the clinical heterogeneity in ALS.
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11
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Feldman EL, Goutman SA, Petri S, Mazzini L, Savelieff MG, Shaw PJ, Sobue G. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet 2022; 400:1363-1380. [PMID: 36116464 PMCID: PMC10089700 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)01272-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 130.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal CNS neurodegenerative disease. Despite intensive research, current management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis remains suboptimal from diagnosis to prognosis. Recognition of the phenotypic heterogeneity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, global CNS dysfunction, genetic architecture, and development of novel diagnostic criteria is clarifying the spectrum of clinical presentation and facilitating diagnosis. Insights into the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, identification of disease biomarkers and modifiable risks, along with new predictive models, scales, and scoring systems, and a clinical trial pipeline of mechanism-based therapies, are changing the prognostic landscape. Although most recent advances have yet to translate into patient benefit, the idea of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as a complex syndrome is already having tangible effects in the clinic. This Seminar will outline these insights and discuss the status of the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for the general neurologist, along with future prospects that could improve care and outcomes for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Stephen A Goutman
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Centre, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy; Department of Neurology, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Masha G Savelieff
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Gen Sobue
- Department of Neurology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
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12
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Del Tredici K, Braak H. Neuropathology and neuroanatomy of TDP-43 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Curr Opin Neurol 2022; 35:660-671. [PMID: 36069419 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Intracellular inclusions consisting of the abnormal TDP-43 protein and its nucleocytoplasmic mislocalization in selected cell types are hallmark pathological features of sALS. Descriptive (histological, morphological), anatomical, and molecular studies all have improved our understanding of the neuropathology of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS). This review highlights some of the latest developments in the field. RECENT FINDINGS Increasing evidence exists from experimental models for the prion-like nature of abnormal TDP-43, including a strain-effect, and with the help of neuroimaging-based studies, for spreading of disease along corticofugal connectivities in sALS. Progress has also been made with respect to finding and establishing reliable biomarkers (neurofilament levels, diffusor tensor imaging). SUMMARY The latest findings may help to elucidate the preclinical phase of sALS and to define possible mechanisms for delaying or halting disease development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Del Tredici
- Clinical Neuroanatomy Section, Department of Neurology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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13
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Yang T, Wei Q, Li C, Cao B, Ou R, Hou Y, Zhang L, Gu X, Liu K, Lin J, Cheng Y, Jiang Z, Yang J, Kang S, Zhang M, Xiao Y, Zhao B, Chen Y, Chen X, Shang H. Spatial-temporal pattern of propagation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and effect on survival: a cohort study. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:3177-3186. [PMID: 35996987 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clarification of propagation patterns in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is challenging, but implicational for individual prognostication and clinical trials design. However, systematic knowledge lacks. Therefore, we aim to characterize the spatial and temporal features of propagation patterns in ALS, and to evaluate the association between propagation patterns and survival. METHODS A cohort of 833 patients with ALS were diagnosed between January 2018 and December 2019, and followed to August 2021. Spatial and temporal features of propagation patterns were determined based on the involved functional regions (bulbar, cervical, thoracic/respiratory and lumbar) in time order. The final propagation pattern was identified in patients with at least 3 functional regions involved. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis were performed. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 21.2 months, 19 final propagation patterns were identified in 657 (78.9%) patients. In survival analysis, we found that the more forward of respiratory involved, the higher the risk of death (1st: hazard ratio [HR], 3.35; 95% CI, 1.23-9.15; 2nd: HR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.55-3.87; 3rd: HR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.52-2.49), adjusting for age, sex, diagnostic delay, the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale score, cognitive impairment and riluzole. Shorter interval time between involved regions was an independent adverse prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS The propagation patterns of ALS are varied. The position of respiratory involved and interval time between involved functional regions are predictors for prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianmi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianqian Wei
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bei Cao
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruwei Ou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanbing Hou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lingyu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaojing Gu
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Kuncheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junyu Lin
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yangfan Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Simin Kang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bi Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yongping Chen
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xueping Chen
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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14
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Functional alterations in large-scale resting-state networks of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A multi-site study across Canada and the United States. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269154. [PMID: 35709100 PMCID: PMC9202847 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269154] [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: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of upper motor neurons and lower motor neurons, and frontotemporal regions resulting in impaired bulbar, limb, and cognitive function. Magnetic resonance imaging studies have reported cortical and subcortical brain involvement in the pathophysiology of ALS. The present study investigates the functional integrity of resting-state networks (RSNs) and their importance in ALS. Intra- and inter-network resting-state functional connectivity (Rs-FC) was examined using an independent component analysis approach in a large multi-center cohort. A total of 235 subjects (120 ALS patients; 115 healthy controls (HC) were recruited across North America through the Canadian ALS Neuroimaging Consortium (CALSNIC). Intra-network and inter-network Rs-FC was evaluated by the FSL-MELODIC and FSLNets software packages. As compared to HC, ALS patients displayed higher intra-network Rs-FC in the sensorimotor, default mode, right and left fronto-parietal, and orbitofrontal RSNs, and in previously undescribed networks including auditory, dorsal attention, basal ganglia, medial temporal, ventral streams, and cerebellum which negatively correlated with disease severity. Furthermore, ALS patients displayed higher inter-network Rs-FC between the orbitofrontal and basal ganglia RSNs which negatively correlated with cognitive impairment. In summary, in ALS there is an increase in intra- and inter-network functional connectivity of RSNs underpinning both motor and cognitive impairment. Moreover, the large multi-center CALSNIC dataset permitted the exploration of RSNs in unprecedented detail, revealing previously undescribed network involvement in ALS.
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15
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Hayden CD, Murphy BP, Hardiman O, Murray D. Measurement of upper limb function in ALS: a structure review of current methods and future directions. J Neurol 2022; 269:4089-4101. [PMID: 35612658 PMCID: PMC9293830 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11179-8] [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: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Measurement of upper limb function is critical for tracking clinical severity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-r) is the primary outcome measure utilised in clinical trials and research in ALS. This scale is limited by floor and ceiling effects within subscales, such that clinically meaningful changes for subjects are often missed, impacting upon the evaluation of new drugs and treatments. Technology has the potential to provide sensitive, objective outcome measurement. This paper is a structured review of current methods and future trends in the measurement of upper limb function with a particular focus on ALS. Technologies that have the potential to radically change the upper limb measurement field and explore the limitations of current technological sensors and solutions in terms of costs and user suitability are discussed. The field is expanding but there remains an unmet need for simple, sensitive and clinically meaningful tests of upper limb function in ALS along with identifying consensus on the direction technology must take to meet this need.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Hayden
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland.
| | - B P Murphy
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - O Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland.,Neurocent Directorate, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - D Murray
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland.,Neurocent Directorate, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland
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16
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Donatelli G, Costagli M, Cecchi P, Migaleddu G, Bianchi F, Frumento P, Siciliano G, Cosottini M. Motor cortical patterns of upper motor neuron pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A 3 T MRI study with iron-sensitive sequences. NEUROIMAGE: CLINICAL 2022; 35:103138. [PMID: 36002961 PMCID: PMC9421531 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103138] [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: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
M1 regions associated with the body site of onset are frequently affected at MRI. The simultaneous involvement of both homologous M1 regions is frequent. The T2* hypointensity in non-contiguous M1 regions seems rare.
Background Patterns of initiation and propagation of disease in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are still partly unknown. Single or multiple foci of neurodegeneration followed by disease diffusion to contiguous or connected regions have been proposed as mechanisms underlying symptom occurrence. Here, we investigated cortical patterns of upper motor neuron (UMN) pathology in ALS using iron-sensitive MR imaging. Methods Signal intensity and magnetic susceptibility of the primary motor cortex (M1), which are associated with clinical UMN burden and neuroinflammation, were assessed in 78 ALS patients using respectively T2*-weighted images and Quantitative Susceptibility Maps. The signal intensity of the whole M1 and each of its functional regions was rated as normal or reduced, and the magnetic susceptibility of each M1 region was measured. Results The highest frequencies of T2* hypointensity were found in M1 regions associated with the body sites of symptom onset. Homologous M1 regions were both hypointense in 80–93 % of patients with cortical abnormalities, and magnetic susceptibility values measured in homologous M1 regions were strongly correlated with each other (ρ = 0.88; p < 0.0001). In some cases, the T2* hypointensity was detectable in two non-contiguous M1 regions but spared the cortex in between. Conclusions M1 regions associated with the body site of onset are frequently affected at imaging. The simultaneous involvement of both homologous M1 regions is frequent, followed by that of adjacent regions; the affection of non-contiguous regions, instead, seems rare. This type of cortical involvement suggests the interhemispheric connections as one of the preferential paths for the UMN pathology diffusion in ALS.
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17
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He Z, Sun B, Feng F, Bai J, Wang H, Wang H, Yang F, Cui F, Huang X. Time of symptoms beyond the bulbar region predicts survival in bulbar onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurol Sci 2021; 43:1817-1822. [PMID: 34383162 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05556-w] [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: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. Spreading pattern and time interval of spreading are getting more and more attention. The aim of present study was to investigate spreading pattern in bulbar onset ALS patients and to explore the relationship between time interval of spreading and survival. METHODS ALS patients with bulbar onset diagnosed at Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were recruited. Clinical features including gender, onset age, diagnostic delay, the second involved region (SIR), time of symptoms beyond the bulbar region, forced vital capacity (FVC), ALSFRS-R score, electromyography results, and survival time were retrospectively collected. RESULTS A total of 96 bulbar onset ALS patients were collected. Overall patients showed female predominance. Median age at onset was 56 years. Median diagnostic delay was 8.5 months. Median time of symptoms beyond the bulbar region (TBBR) was 7 months. Median ALSFRS-R score at baseline was 40. Fifty-six (58.3%) patients' SIR were upper limb, 6 (6.3%) patients' SIR were lower limb, 3 (3.1%) patients' SIR were upper and lower limbs, and 5 (5.2%) patients' SIR were thoracic region. Twenty-six (27.1%) patients did not report SIR. The median survival time of patients with TBBR ≥ 7 months was significantly longer than that with TBBR < 7 month. Multivariate Cox regression showed that onset age and TBBR were prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS In bulbar onset ALS patients, cervical region is the second most common SIR. TBBR is an independent prognostic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengqing He
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.,Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, 100853, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, 100853, Beijing, China.,Geriatric Neurological Department of the Second Medical Center & National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Feng
- Department of Neurology, PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jiongming Bai
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, 100853, Beijing, China.,College of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Haoran Wang
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, 100853, Beijing, China.,College of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongfen Wang
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, 100853, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, 100853, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Cui
- Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, 100853, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurology, Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital, Hainan, China
| | - Xusheng Huang
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China. .,Neurological Department of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, 100853, Beijing, China.
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18
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Thakore NJ, Drawert BJ, Lapin BR, Pioro EP. Progressive arm muscle weakness in ALS follows the same sequence regardless of onset site: use of TOMS, a novel analytic method to track limb strength. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 22:380-387. [PMID: 33620270 PMCID: PMC8292176 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1889000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Examine sequence of weakness in arm muscles from longitudinal hand-held dynamometry (HHD) data in ALS for congruence with contiguous spread of neurodegeneration along spinal cord segments. Methods: Longitudinal HHD data from the Ceftriaxone clinical trial were examined using nonlinear mixed models, assuming a logistic trajectory from normal to zero strength. Unobserved baseline normal strength of weak muscles was assumed using strength of the best-preserved muscle. A novel metric called "time from onset to midway strength" (TOMS) was estimated for each muscle group, and TOMS ratios were examined to identify sequence of weakness, overall and by onset site. Results: Shoulder flexion (SF), elbow flexion (EF), elbow extension (EE), wrist extension (WE), and first dorsal interosseous (FDI) were measured on each side. Over a median of 36 weeks, 513 subjects provided 2589 sets of HHD measures. TOMS increased sequentially in the following order: FDI, WE, SF, EF, and EE. TOMS ratios estimates with 95% CIs (adjusted for multiple comparisons) were: WE/FDI 1.32 (1.24-1.41), SF/WE 1.06 (1.01-1.10), EF/SF 1.06 (1.02-1.10), and EE/EF 1.18 (1.12-1.23). Elbow and shoulder flexors weakened sooner than did elbow extensors. The sequence of arm muscle weakness progression was similar regardless of onset site. Conclusion: Nonsegmental progression of arm muscle weakness that is similar for different onset sites favors cortical influence/network spread over contiguous spread of neurodegeneration in the spinal cord. Furthermore, this study confirms the "split elbow" pattern. TOMS and other proposed methods may have value as outcome measures in clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimish J. Thakore
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Brian J. Drawert
- Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC, USA
| | - Brittany R. Lapin
- Quantitative Health Sciences/Neurological Institute Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (NICORE), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Erik P. Pioro
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, OH, USA
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19
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Liao SJ, Huang Z, Lai CY, Chen JY, Xiao PY, Cai Q, Yu J. The rostral to caudal gradient of clinical and electrophysiological features in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with bulbar-onset. J Int Med Res 2021; 48:300060520956502. [PMID: 32993397 PMCID: PMC7536501 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520956502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with bulbar-onset (BO-ALS) tends to
propagate to the adjacent anatomical regions symptomatically. However, the
spreading pattern of clinical and electrophysiological features is not well
documented. Methods This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with sporadic BO-ALS.
The clinical progression and electrophysiological data by electromyography
examination were retrospectively analysed based on information from the
medical records. Results The study enrolled 57 patients: 43 presented with contiguous (37 of 57) or
non-contiguous (6 of 57) progression clinically; and 14 patients did not
present with symptomatic propagation to other spinal segments. Lower motor
neuron dysfunction was more frequently involved in the bulbar and cervical
segments and less in the thoracic and lumbosacral segments. As a result, a
small proportion of patients had intact thoracic paraspinal or leg muscles
or both by electromyography examination. Furthermore, the patients with
diagnostic latency ≤6 months showed a significantly lower incidence of
neurogenic changes in the lumbosacral spinal cord compared with those with
diagnostic latency > 6 months. Conclusion This current study demonstrated a relative rostral–caudal descending gradient
of lower motor neuron dysfunction in patients with BO-ALS. These results
suggest that follow-up EMG might be necessary for a proportion of
patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Jie Liao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chong-Yuan Lai
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Yan Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei-Yao Xiao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Cai
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Yu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
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Ragunathan S, Bell LC, Semmineh N, Stokes AM, Shefner JM, Bowser R, Ladha S, Quarles CC. Evaluation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Induced Muscle Degeneration Using Magnetic Resonance-Based Relaxivity Contrast Imaging (RCI). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 7:169-179. [PMID: 34062974 PMCID: PMC8162571 DOI: 10.3390/tomography7020015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: This work characterizes the sensitivity of magnetic resonance-based Relaxivity Contrast Imaging (RCI) to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)-induced changes in myofiber microstructure. Transverse Relaxivity at Tracer Equilibrium (TRATE), an RCI-based parameter, was evaluated in the lower extremities of ALS patients and healthy subjects. (2) Methods: In this IRB-approved study, 23 subjects (12 ALS patients and 11 healthy controls) were scanned at 3T (Philips, The Netherlands). RCI data were obtained during injection of a gadolinium-based contrast agent. TRATE, fat fraction and T2 measures, were compared in five muscle groups of the calf muscle, between ALS and control populations. TRATE was also evaluated longitudinally (baseline and 6 months) and was compared to clinical measures, namely ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and Hand-Held Dynamometry (HHD), in a subset of the ALS population. (3) Results: TRATE was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in ALS-affected muscle than in healthy muscle in all muscle groups. Fat fraction differences between ALS and healthy muscle were statistically significant for the tibialis anterior (p = 0.01), tibialis posterior (p = 0.004), and peroneus longus (p = 0.02) muscle groups but were not statistically significant for the medial (p = 0.07) and lateral gastrocnemius (p = 0.06) muscles. T2 differences between ALS and healthy muscle were statistically significant for the tibialis anterior (p = 0.004), peroneus longus (p = 0.004) and lateral gastrocnemius (p = 0.03) muscle groups but were not statistically significant for the tibialis posterior (p = 0.06) and medial gastrocnemius (p = 0.07) muscles. Longitudinally, TRATE, averaged over all patients, decreased by 28 ± 16% in the tibialis anterior, 47 ± 18% in the peroneus longus, 25 ± 19% in the tibialis posterior, 29 ± 14% in the medial gastrocnemius and 35 ± 18% in the lateral gastrocnemius muscles between two timepoints. ALSFRS-R scores were stable in two of four ALS patients. HHD scores decreased in three of four ALS patients. (4) Conclusion: RCI-based TRATE was shown to consistently differentiate ALS-affected muscle from healthy muscle and also provide a quantitative measure of longitudinal muscle degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudarshan Ragunathan
- Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, Division of Neuroimaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; (L.C.B.); (N.S.); (A.M.S.); (C.C.Q.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(602)-406-7884
| | - Laura C. Bell
- Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, Division of Neuroimaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; (L.C.B.); (N.S.); (A.M.S.); (C.C.Q.)
| | - Natenael Semmineh
- Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, Division of Neuroimaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; (L.C.B.); (N.S.); (A.M.S.); (C.C.Q.)
| | - Ashley M. Stokes
- Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, Division of Neuroimaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; (L.C.B.); (N.S.); (A.M.S.); (C.C.Q.)
| | - Jeremy M. Shefner
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; (J.M.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Robert Bowser
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; (J.M.S.); (R.B.)
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Shafeeq Ladha
- Gregory W. Fulton ALS and Neuromuscular Disease Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA;
| | - C. Chad Quarles
- Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, Division of Neuroimaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA; (L.C.B.); (N.S.); (A.M.S.); (C.C.Q.)
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21
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Pearson I, Glasmacher SA, Newton J, Beswick E, Mehta AR, Davenport R, Chandran S, Pal S. The Prevalence and Management of Saliva Problems in Motor Neuron Disease: A 4-Year Analysis of the Scottish Motor Neuron Disease Register. NEURODEGENER DIS 2021; 20:147-152. [PMID: 33902047 DOI: 10.1159/000514615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Saliva problems are common and distressing for people with motor neuron disease (pwMND). Despite clinical guidelines for assessment and treatment, management of saliva problems has received little research attention. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the prevalence of saliva problems in pwMND, their association with clinical factors, and their management practice using a highly curated population-based register for motor neuron disease (MND) with 99% case ascertainment. METHODS We conducted an analysis of pwMND diagnosed between January 2015 and October 2019 using the Scottish MND Register (CARE-MND [Clinical, Audit, Research, and Evaluation of MND]). The association between clinical factors and saliva problems was investigated using univariate and multivariable logistic regression; results are reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. A survey of health-care professionals involved in the care of pwMND was performed to contextualize the findings. RESULTS 939 pwMND were included. Prevalence of saliva problems was 31.3% (294). Bulbar onset (OR 9.46 [4.7, 19.2]; p < 0.001) but not age, sex, time to diagnosis, or MND subtype were independently associated with the presence of saliva problems in multivariable regression, and 52.7% (155) of those with saliva problems received pharmacological management. The most commonly used medications were hyoscine, amitriptyline, carbocisteine, glycopyrrolate, and atropine. Evidence base (8, 72.7%) and local guidelines (10, 90.9%) were cited as the most important factors influencing treatment decision by survey respondents (n = 11). CONCLUSION Saliva problems are common and associated with bulbar onset MND. A substantial proportion of pwMND with saliva problems did not receive recommended treatments. Future research is required to determine the relative efficacy of individual pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iona Pearson
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stella A Glasmacher
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Judith Newton
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Beswick
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Arpan R Mehta
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Davenport
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Suvankar Pal
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, NHS Forth Valley, Larbert, United Kingdom
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22
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Dharmadasa T, Howells J, Matamala JM, Simon NG, Burke D, Vucic S, Kiernan MC. Cortical inexcitability defines an adverse clinical profile in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2020; 28:90-97. [PMID: 32902860 PMCID: PMC7820947 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background and purpose In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, studies using threshold‐tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have identified corticomotoneuronal dysfunction as a key pathogenic mechanism. Some patients, however, display no motor response at maximal TMS intensities, termed here an ‘inexcitable’ motor cortex. The extent to which this cortical difference impacts clinical outcomes remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical profile of patients with inexcitability to TMS. Methods Motor cortex excitability was evaluated using TMS. Patients in whom a motor evoked potential could not be recorded in one or more limbs at maximal TMS intensities were classified as four‐limb or partially inexcitable. Demographic information, clinical variables and survival data were analysed. Results From 133 patients, 40 were identified with inexcitability. Patients with four‐limb inexcitability were younger (P = 0.03) and had lower‐limb disease onset (64%), greater functional disability (P < 0.001) and faster disease progression (P = 0.02), particularly if inexcitability developed within 1 year of symptoms (P < 0.01). Patients with partial inexcitability had higher resting motor thresholds compared to the excitable cohort (P < 0.01), but averaged short‐interval intracortical inhibition was similar (P = 0.5). Mean survival was reduced if inexcitability involved all limbs within 12 months of symptom onset (P = 0.04). Conclusion Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with inexcitability of all four limbs to TMS have a distinct clinical profile of younger age and lower‐limb onset. Importantly, these patients display a more malignant disease trajectory, with faster progression, greater functional disability and reduced survival when occurring in early disease. This measure may provide an important prognostic marker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Dharmadasa
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - J Howells
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - J M Matamala
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - N G Simon
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - D Burke
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - S Vucic
- Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - M C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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23
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Talbot K. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: network vulnerability and monosynaptic connections. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:906. [PMID: 32665325 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
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24
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McAlary L, Yerbury JJ, Cashman NR. The prion-like nature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 175:261-296. [PMID: 32958236 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The misfolding, aggregation, and deposition of specific proteins is the key hallmark of most progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is characterized by the rapid and progressive degenerations of motor neurons in the spinal cord and motor cortex, resulting in paralysis of those who suffer from it. Pathologically, there are three major aggregating proteins associated with ALS, including TAR DNA-binding protein of 43kDa (TDP-43), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), and fused in sarcoma (FUS). While there are ALS-associated mutations found in each of these proteins, the most prevalent aggregation pathology is that of wild-type TDP-43 (97% of cases), with the remaining split between mutant forms of SOD1 (~2%) and FUS (~1%). Considering the progressive nature of ALS and its association with the aggregation of specific proteins, a growing notion is that the spread of pathology and symptoms can be explained by a prion-like mechanism. Prion diseases are a group of highly infectious neurodegenerative disorders caused by the misfolding, aggregation, and spread of a transmissible conformer of prion protein (PrP). Pathogenic PrP is capable of converting healthy PrP into a toxic form through template-directed misfolding. Application of this finding to other neurodegenerative disorders, and in particular ALS, has revolutionized our understanding of cause and progression of these disorders. In this chapter, we first provide a background on ALS pathology and genetic origin. We then detail and discuss the evidence supporting a prion-like propagation of protein misfolding and aggregation in ALS with a particular focus on SOD1 and TDP-43 as these are the most well-established models in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- L McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - J J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - N R Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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25
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Gromicho M, Figueiral M, Uysal H, Grosskreutz J, Kuzma-Kozakiewicz M, Pinto S, Petri S, Madeira S, Swash M, de Carvalho M. Spreading in ALS: The relative impact of upper and lower motor neuron involvement. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:1181-1192. [PMID: 32558369 PMCID: PMC7359118 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate disease spread in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and determine the influence of lower (LMN) and upper motor neuron (UMN) involvement. Methods We assessed disease spread in ALS in 1376 consecutively studied patients, from five European centers, applying an agreed proforma to assess LMN and UMN signs. We defined the pattern of disease onset and progression from predominant UMN or lower motor neuron (LMN) dysfunction in bulbar, upper limbs, lower limbs, and thoracic regions Non‐linear regression analysis was applied to fit the data to a model that described the relation between two random variables, graphically represented by an inverse exponential curve. We analyzed the probability, rate of spread, and both combined (area under the curve). Results We found that progression was more likely and quicker to or from the region of onset to close spinal regions. When the disease had a limb onset, bulbar motor neurons were more resistant. Furthermore, in the same time frame more patients progressed from bulbar to lower limbs than vice‐versa, whether predominantly UMN or LMN involvement. Patients with initial thoracic involvement had a higher probability for rapid change. The presence of predominant UMN signs was associated with a faster caudal progression. Interpretation Contiguous progression was leading pattern, and predominant UMN involvement is important in shortening the time for cranial‐caudal spread. Our results can best be fitted to a model of independent LMN and UMN degeneration, with regional progression of LMN degeneration mostly by contiguity. UMN lesion causes an acceleration of rostral‐caudal LMN loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gromicho
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Manuel Figueiral
- LASIGE, Departamento de Informática, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hilmi Uysal
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | | | - Magdalena Kuzma-Kozakiewicz
- Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group and Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Susana Pinto
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sara Madeira
- LASIGE, Departamento de Informática, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Michael Swash
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa-Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
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26
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Dharmadasa T, Matamala JM, Howells J, Vucic S, Kiernan MC. Early focality and spread of cortical dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A regional study across the motor cortices. Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131:958-966. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.11.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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27
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Tokuda E, Takei YI, Ohara S, Fujiwara N, Hozumi I, Furukawa Y. Wild-type Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase is misfolded in cerebrospinal fluid of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Mol Neurodegener 2019; 14:42. [PMID: 31744522 PMCID: PMC6862823 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-019-0341-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A subset of familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are caused by mutations in the gene coding Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Mutant SOD1 proteins are susceptible to misfolding and abnormally accumulated in spinal cord, which is most severely affected in ALS. It, however, remains quite controversial whether misfolding of wild-type SOD1 is involved in more prevalent sporadic ALS (sALS) cases without SOD1 mutations. Methods Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients including sALS as well as several other neurodegenerative diseases and non-neurodegenerative diseases was examined with an immunoprecipitation assay and a sandwich ELISA using antibodies specifically recognizing misfolded SOD1. Results We found that wild-type SOD1 was misfolded in CSF from all sALS cases examined in this study. The misfolded SOD1 was also detected in CSF from a subset of Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy, albeit with smaller amounts than those in sALS. Furthermore, the CSF samples containing the misfolded SOD1 exhibited significant toxicity toward motor neuron-like NSC-34 cells, which was ameliorated by removal of the misfolded wild-type SOD1 with immunoprecipitation. Conclusions Taken together, we propose that misfolding of wild-type SOD1 in CSF is a common pathological process of ALS cases regardless of SOD1 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiichi Tokuda
- Laboratory for Mechanistic Chemistry of Biomolecules, Department of Chemistry, Keio University, Yokohama, 223-8522, Japan
| | - Yo-Ichi Takei
- Department of Neurology, Matsumoto Medical Center, Matsumoto, 399-0021, Japan
| | - Shinji Ohara
- Department of Neurology, Matsumoto Medical Center, Matsumoto, 399-0021, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Iida Hospital, Iida, 395-8505, Japan
| | - Noriko Fujiwara
- Department of Biochemistry, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Isao Hozumi
- Laboratory of Medical Therapeutics and Molecular Therapeutics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan.,Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Furukawa
- Laboratory for Mechanistic Chemistry of Biomolecules, Department of Chemistry, Keio University, Yokohama, 223-8522, Japan.
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28
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Cook C, Petrucelli L. Genetic Convergence Brings Clarity to the Enigmatic Red Line in ALS. Neuron 2019; 101:1057-1069. [PMID: 30897357 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive neurodegenerative disorder that orchestrates an attack on the motor nervous system that is unrelenting. Recent discoveries into the pathogenic consequences of repeat expansions in C9ORF72, which are the most common genetic cause of ALS, combined with the identification of new genetic mutations are providing novel insight into the underlying mechanism(s) that cause ALS. In particular, the myriad of functions linked to ALS-associated genes have collectively implicated four main pathways in disease pathogenesis, including RNA metabolism and translational biology; protein quality control; cytoskeletal integrity and trafficking; and mitochondrial function and transport. Through the identification of common disease mechanisms on which multiple ALS genes converge, key targets for potential therapeutic intervention are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Cook
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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29
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McAlary L, Plotkin SS, Yerbury JJ, Cashman NR. Prion-Like Propagation of Protein Misfolding and Aggregation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:262. [PMID: 31736708 PMCID: PMC6838634 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery that prion protein can misfold into a pathological conformation that encodes structural information capable of both propagation and inducing severe neuropathology has revolutionized our understanding of neurodegenerative disease. Many neurodegenerative diseases with a protein misfolding component are now classified as “prion-like” owing to the propagation of both symptoms and protein aggregation pathology in affected individuals. The neuromuscular disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by protein inclusions formed by either TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), or fused in sarcoma (FUS), in both upper and lower motor neurons. Evidence from in vitro, cell culture, and in vivo studies has provided strong evidence to support the involvement of a prion-like mechanism in ALS. In this article, we review the evidence suggesting that prion-like propagation of protein aggregation is a primary pathomechanism in ALS, focusing on the key proteins and genes involved in disease (TDP-43, SOD1, FUS, and C9orf72). In each case, we discuss the evidence ranging from biophysical studies to in vivo examinations of prion-like spreading. We suggest that the idiopathic nature of ALS may stem from its prion-like nature and that elucidation of the specific propagating protein assemblies is paramount to developing effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven S Plotkin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Genome Sciences and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.,Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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30
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Osman KL, Kohlberg S, Mok A, Brooks R, Lind LA, McCormack K, Ferreira A, Kadosh M, Fagan MK, Bearce E, Nichols NL, Coates JR, Lever TE. Optimizing the Translational Value of Mouse Models of ALS for Dysphagia Therapeutic Discovery. Dysphagia 2019; 35:343-359. [PMID: 31300881 DOI: 10.1007/s00455-019-10034-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to compare dysphagia phenotypes in low and high copy number (LCN and HCN) transgenic superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mouse models of ALS to accelerate the discovery of novel and effective treatments for dysphagia and early amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. Clinicopathological features of dysphagia were characterized in individual transgenic mice and age-matched controls utilizing videofluoroscopy in conjunction with postmortem assays of the tongue and hypoglossal nucleus. Quantitative PCR accurately differentiated HCN-SOD1 and LCN-SOD1 mice and nontransgenic controls. All HCN-SOD1 mice developed stereotypical paralysis in both hindlimbs. In contrast, LCN-SOD1 mice displayed wide variability in fore- and hindlimb involvement. Lick rate, swallow rate, inter-swallow interval, and pharyngeal transit time were significantly altered in both HCN-SOD1 and LCN-SOD1 mice compared to controls. Tongue weight, tongue dorsum surface area, total tongue length, and caudal tongue length were significantly reduced only in the LCN-SOD1 mice compared to age-matched controls. LCN-SOD1 mice with lower body weights had smaller/lighter weight tongues, and those with forelimb paralysis and slower lick rates died at a younger age. LCN-SOD1 mice had a 32% loss of hypoglossal neurons, which differed significantly when compared to age-matched control mice. These novel findings for LCN-SOD1 mice are congruent with reported dysphagia and associated tongue atrophy and hypoglossal nucleus pathology in human ALS patients, thus highlighting the translational potential of this mouse model in ALS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L Osman
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Dr. MA314, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Sabrina Kohlberg
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Dr. MA314, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Alexis Mok
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Dr. MA314, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Ryan Brooks
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Dr. MA314, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Lori A Lind
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Katelyn McCormack
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Dr. MA314, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Andries Ferreira
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Dr. MA314, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Matan Kadosh
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Dr. MA314, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Mary K Fagan
- Department of Communication Science and Disorders, University of Missouri School of Health Professions, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Elizabeth Bearce
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Dr. MA314, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Nicole L Nichols
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Joan R Coates
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Teresa E Lever
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Dr. MA314, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA. .,Department of Communication Science and Disorders, University of Missouri School of Health Professions, Columbia, MO, USA.
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31
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Ragagnin AMG, Shadfar S, Vidal M, Jamali MS, Atkin JD. Motor Neuron Susceptibility in ALS/FTD. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:532. [PMID: 31316328 PMCID: PMC6610326 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of both upper and lower motor neurons (MNs) in the brain, brainstem and spinal cord. The neurodegenerative mechanisms leading to MN loss in ALS are not fully understood. Importantly, the reasons why MNs are specifically targeted in this disorder are unclear, when the proteins associated genetically or pathologically with ALS are expressed ubiquitously. Furthermore, MNs themselves are not affected equally; specific MNs subpopulations are more susceptible than others in both animal models and human patients. Corticospinal MNs and lower somatic MNs, which innervate voluntary muscles, degenerate more readily than specific subgroups of lower MNs, which remain resistant to degeneration, reflecting the clinical manifestations of ALS. In this review, we discuss the possible factors intrinsic to MNs that render them uniquely susceptible to neurodegeneration in ALS. We also speculate why some MN subpopulations are more vulnerable than others, focusing on both their molecular and physiological properties. Finally, we review the anatomical network and neuronal microenvironment as determinants of MN subtype vulnerability and hence the progression of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey M G Ragagnin
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sina Shadfar
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marta Vidal
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Md Shafi Jamali
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julie D Atkin
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Zucchi E, Ticozzi N, Mandrioli J. Psychiatric Symptoms in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Beyond a Motor Neuron Disorder. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:175. [PMID: 30914912 PMCID: PMC6421303 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The historical view that Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) as a pure motor disorder has been increasingly challenged by the discovery of cognitive and behavioral changes in the spectrum of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Less recognized and still significant comorbidities that ALS patients may present are prior or concomitant psychiatric illness, such as psychosis and schizophrenia, or mood disorders. These non-motor symptoms disturbances have a close time relationship with disease onset, may constitute part of a larger framework of network disruption in motor neuron disorders, and may impact ALS patients and families, with regards to ethical choices and end-of-life decisions. This review aims at identifying the most common psychiatric alterations related to ALS and its prognosis, looking at a common genetic background and shared structural brain pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, 'Dino Ferrari' Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Modena, St. Agostino- Estense Hospital, Modena, Italy
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