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Olğun Y, Aksoy Poyraz C, Bozluolçay M, Poyraz BÇ. Quantitative EEG in the Differential Diagnosis of Dementia Subtypes. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2024; 37:368-378. [PMID: 38217438 DOI: 10.1177/08919887241227410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Most neurodegenerative dementias present with substantial overlap in clinical features. Therefore, differential diagnosis is often a challenging task necessitating costly and sometimes invasive diagnostic procedures. A promising, non-invasive and cost-effective method is the widely available electroencephalography (EEG). METHODS Twenty-three subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 28 subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), 15 subjects with frontotemporal dementias (FTDs), and 22 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. Nineteen channel computerized EEG recordings were acquired. Mean relative powers were calculated using the standard frequency bands. Theta/alpha ratio (TAR), theta/beta ratio (TBR), a spectral index of (alpha + beta)/(theta + delta) and an alpha reactivity index (alpha in eyes-open condition/alpha in eyes-closed condition) were also calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS For the comparison of EEG measures across groups, we performed a multivariate ANOVA followed by univariate ANOVAs controlling for the effects of age, with post hoc tests. Theta power and TBR were increased in DLB compared to other groups. Alpha power was decreased in DLB compared to HC and FTD; and in AD compared to FTD. Beta power was decreased in DLB compared to AD and HC. Furthermore, regional analyses demonstrated a unique pattern of theta power increase in DLB; affecting frontal, central, parietal, occipital, and temporal regions. In AD, theta power increased compared to HC in parietal, occipital, and right temporal regions. TAR was increased in DLB compared to other groups; and in AD compared to HC. Finally, alpha reactivity index was higher in DLB compared to HC and FTD. In AD, EEG slowing was associated with cognitive impairment, while in DLB, this was associated with higher DLB characteristics. In the ROC analyses to distinguish DLB from FTD and AD, measures of EEG slowing yielded high area under curve values, with good specificities. Also, decreased alpha reactivity could distinguish DLB from FTD with good specificity. EEG slowing in DLB showed a diffuse pattern compared to AD, where a posterior and temporal slowing predominated. CONCLUSION We showed that EEG slowing was satisfactory in distinguishing DLB patients from AD and FTD patients. Notably, this slowing was a characteristic finding in DLB patients, even at early stages, while it paralleled disease progression in AD. Furthermore, EEG slowing in DLB showed a diffuse pattern compared to AD, where a posterior and temporal slowing predominated. These findings align with the previous evidence of the diencephalic dysfunction in DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeşim Olğun
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cana Aksoy Poyraz
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Melda Bozluolçay
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Burç Çağrı Poyraz
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
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Xu H, Habich A, Ferreira D, Elisabet L, Westman E, Eriksdotter M. Long-term effects of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine on cognitive decline, cardiovascular events, and mortality in dementia with Lewy bodies: An up to 10-year follow-up study. Alzheimers Dement 2024. [PMID: 39177108 DOI: 10.1002/alz.14118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aimed to assess the impact of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and memantine on cognition, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). METHODS A total of 1,095 incident DLB patients from the Swedish Registry on cognitive/dementia disorders were included. Using an inverse probability of treatment weighting, the effect of initiating ChEI or memantine within 90 days of DLB diagnosis and nonuse was evaluated on cognitive trajectories and risks of MACE and death. RESULTS The use of ChEIs significantly slowed cognitive decline at follow-ups (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] -0.39 points/y; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.96 to 0.18) compared to memantine (-2.49 points/y; -4.02 to -0.97) and nonuse (-2.50 points/y; -4.28 to -0.73). Treatment groups did not differ in MACE events. ChEI use was associated with lower risk of death in the first year after DLB diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.66, 95% CI 0.46, 0.94). DISCUSSION Our findings illuminate the potential benefits of ChEI treatment in DLB patients. HIGHLIGHTS Cholinesterase inhibitors slow cognitive decline over a 5-year follow-up period when compared to both memantine treatment and nonuse in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. Cholinesterase Inhibitors reduce risk of mortality within the initial year, but this effect is not sustained after 1 year in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xu
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annegret Habich
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Ferreira
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Fernando Pessoa Canarias, Las Palmas, España
| | - Londos Elisabet
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institution of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Eric Westman
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Eriksdotter
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Crockett. RA, Casselton. C, Howard. TM, Wilkins. KB, Seo. G, Brontë-Stewart. HM. Lateral Thinking: Pathway Specific Neurodegeneration of the Cortical Cholinergic System in Alzheimer's Disease. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.07.16.24310492. [PMID: 39072037 PMCID: PMC11275702 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.16.24310492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Atrophy of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) is an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, reduced integrity of the NBM white matter tracts may be more relevant for cognitive impairment and progression to dementia than NBM volume. Research is needed to compare differences in NBM volume and integrity of the lateral and medial NBM tracts across early and later stages of AD progression. METHODS 187 participants were included in this study who were either healthy controls (HC; n=50) or had early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI; n=50), late MCI (LMCI; n=37), or AD (n=50). NBM volume was calculated using voxel-based morphometry and mean diffusivity (MD) of the lateral and medial NBM tracts were extracted using probabilistic tractography. Between group differences in NBM volume and tract MD were compared using linear mixed models controlling for age, sex, and either total intracranial volume or MD of a control mask, respectively. Associations between NBM volume and tract MD with executive function, memory, language, and visuospatial function were also analysed. RESULTS NBM volume was smallest in AD followed by LMCI (p<0.0001), with no difference between EMCI and HC. AD had highest MD for both tracts compared to all other groups (p<0.001). Both MCI groups had higher lateral tract MD compared to HC (p<0.05). Medial tract MD was higher in LMCI (p=0.008), but not EMCI (p=0.09) compared to HC. Higher lateral tract MD was associated with executive function (p=0.001) and language (p=0.02). DISCUSSION Integrity of the lateral NBM tract is most sensitive to the earliest stages of AD and should be considered an important therapeutic target for early detection and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Crockett.
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Charlotte Casselton.
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Tatianna M. Howard.
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Kevin B. Wilkins.
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Gang Seo.
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Helen M. Brontë-Stewart.
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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Okkels N, Grothe MJ, Taylor JP, Hasselbalch SG, Fedorova TD, Knudsen K, van der Zee S, van Laar T, Bohnen NI, Borghammer P, Horsager J. Cholinergic changes in Lewy body disease: implications for presentation, progression and subtypes. Brain 2024; 147:2308-2324. [PMID: 38437860 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic degeneration is significant in Lewy body disease, including Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder. Extensive research has demonstrated cholinergic alterations in the CNS of these disorders. More recently, studies have revealed cholinergic denervation in organs that receive parasympathetic denervation. This enables a comprehensive review of cholinergic changes in Lewy body disease, encompassing both central and peripheral regions, various disease stages and diagnostic categories. Across studies, brain regions affected in Lewy body dementia show equal or greater levels of cholinergic impairment compared to the brain regions affected in Lewy body disease without dementia. This observation suggests a continuum of cholinergic alterations between these disorders. Patients without dementia exhibit relative sparing of limbic regions, whereas occipital and superior temporal regions appear to be affected to a similar extent in patients with and without dementia. This implies that posterior cholinergic cell groups in the basal forebrain are affected in the early stages of Lewy body disorders, while more anterior regions are typically affected later in the disease progression. The topographical changes observed in patients affected by comorbid Alzheimer pathology may reflect a combination of changes seen in pure forms of Lewy body disease and those seen in Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that Alzheimer co-pathology is important to understand cholinergic degeneration in Lewy body disease. Thalamic cholinergic innervation is more affected in Lewy body patients with dementia compared to those without dementia, and this may contribute to the distinct clinical presentations observed in these groups. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, the thalamus is variably affected, suggesting a different sequential involvement of cholinergic cell groups in Alzheimer's disease compared to Lewy body disease. Patients with isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder demonstrate cholinergic denervation in abdominal organs that receive parasympathetic innervation from the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, similar to patients who experienced this sleep disorder in their prodrome. This implies that REM sleep behaviour disorder is important for understanding peripheral cholinergic changes in both prodromal and manifest phases of Lewy body disease. In conclusion, cholinergic changes in Lewy body disease carry implications for understanding phenotypes and the influence of Alzheimer co-pathology, delineating subtypes and pathological spreading routes, and for developing tailored treatments targeting the cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Okkels
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Michel J Grothe
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Reina Sofia Alzheimer's Centre, CIEN Foundation-ISCIII, 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - John-Paul Taylor
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Steen Gregers Hasselbalch
- Danish Dementia Research Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Tatyana D Fedorova
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Karoline Knudsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Sygrid van der Zee
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Teus van Laar
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas I Bohnen
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Neurology Service and GRECC, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Parkinson's Foundation Research Center of Excellence, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Per Borghammer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jacob Horsager
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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Schumacher J, Ray N, Teipel S, Storch A. Associations of cholinergic system integrity with cognitive decline in GBA1 and LRRK2 mutation carriers. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2024; 10:127. [PMID: 38951174 PMCID: PMC11217433 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-024-00743-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In Parkinson's disease (PD), GBA1- and LRRK2-mutations are associated with different clinical phenotypes which might be related to differential involvement of the cholinergic system. We investigated cholinergic integrity in 149 asymptomatic GBA1 and 169 asymptomatic LRRK2 mutation carriers, 112 LRRK2 and 60 GBA1 carriers with PD, 492 idiopathic PD, and 180 controls from the PPMI cohort. Basal forebrain volumes were extracted and white matter pathways from nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) to cortex and from pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) to thalamus were assessed with a free water-corrected DTI model. Bayesian ANCOVAs were conducted for group comparisons and Bayesian linear mixed models to assess associations with cognitive decline. Basal forebrain volumes were increased in asymptomatic GBA1 (Bayes Factor against the null hypothesis (BF10) = 75.2) and asymptomatic LRRK2 (BF10 = 57.0) compared to controls. Basal forebrain volumes were increased in LRRK2- compared to GBA1-PD (BF10 = 14.5) and idiopathic PD (BF10 = 3.6*107), with no difference between idiopathic PD and PD-GBA1 (BF10 = 0.25). Mean diffusivity along the medial NBM pathway was decreased in asymptomatic GBA1 compared to controls (BF10 = 30.3). Over 5 years, idiopathic PD and PD-GBA1 declined across all cognitive domains whereas PD-LRRK2 patients only declined in processing speed. We found an interaction between basal forebrain volume and time in predicting multiple cognitive domains in idiopathic PD and PD-GBA1, but not in PD-LRRK2. While LRRK2 and GBA1 mutations are both associated with increased basal forebrain volume at asymptomatic stages, this increase persists at the symptomatic PD stage only in LRRK2 and might be related to slower cognitive decline in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schumacher
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147, Rostock, Germany.
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock-Greifswald, 18147, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Nicola Ray
- Health, Psychology and Communities Research Centre, Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Stefan Teipel
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock-Greifswald, 18147, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Alexander Storch
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147, Rostock, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock-Greifswald, 18147, Rostock, Germany
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D'Antonio F, Teghil A, Boccia M, Bechi Gabrielli G, Giulietti G, Conti D, Suppa A, Fabbrini A, Fiorelli M, Caramia F, Bruno G, Guariglia C, Aarsland D, Ffytche D. Distinct grey and white matter changes are associated with the phenomenology of visual hallucinations in Lewy Body Disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14748. [PMID: 38926597 PMCID: PMC11208453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65536-w] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Visual hallucinations in Lewy body disease (LBD) can be differentiated based on phenomenology into minor phenomena (MVH) and complex hallucinations (CVH). MVH include a variety of phenomena, such as illusions, presence and passage hallucinations occurring at early stages of LBD. The neural mechanisms of visual hallucinations are largely unknown. The hodotopic model posits that the hallucination state is due to abnormal activity in specialized visual areas, that occurs in the context of wider network connectivity alterations and that phenomenology of VH, including content and temporal characteristics, may help identify brain regions underpinning these phenomena. Here we investigated both the topological and hodological neural basis of visual hallucinations integrating grey and white matter imaging analyses. We studied LBD patients with VH and age matched healthy controls (HC). VH were assessed using a North-East-Visual-Hallucinations-Interview that captures phenomenological detail. Then we applied voxel-based morphometry and tract based spatial statistics approaches to identify grey and white matter changes. First, we compared LBD patients and HC. We found a reduced grey matter volume and a widespread damage of white tracts in LBD compared to HC. Then we tested the association between CVH and MVH and grey and white matter indices. We found that CVH duration was associated with decreased grey matter volume in the fusiform gyrus suggesting that LBD neurodegeneration-related abnormal activity in this area is responsible for CVH. An unexpected finding was that MVH severity was associated with a greater integrity of white matter tracts, specifically those connecting dorsal, ventral attention networks and visual areas. Our results suggest that networks underlying MVH need to be partly intact and functional for MVH experiences to occur, while CVH occur when cortical areas are damaged. The findings support the hodotopic view and the hypothesis that MVH and CVH relate to different neural mechanisms, with wider implications for the treatment of these symptoms in a clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia D'Antonio
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy.
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alice Teghil
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maddalena Boccia
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Bechi Gabrielli
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Desirée Conti
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Suppa
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed Institute, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Andrea Fabbrini
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiorelli
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Caramia
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bruno
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Dell'università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Guariglia
- Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation and Neuroimaging Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, IOPPN, London, UK
| | - Dominic Ffytche
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, IOPPN, London, UK
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Mimura Y, Tobari Y, Nakajima S, Takano M, Wada M, Honda S, Bun S, Tabuchi H, Ito D, Matsui M, Uchida H, Mimura M, Noda Y. Decreased short-latency afferent inhibition in individuals with mild cognitive impairment: A TMS-EEG study. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 132:110967. [PMID: 38354899 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.110967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
TMS combined with EEG (TMS-EEG) is a tool to characterize the neurophysiological dynamics of the cortex. Among the TMS paradigms, short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) allows the investigation of inhibitory effects mediated by the cholinergic system. The aim of this study was to compare cholinergic function in the DLPFC between individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy controls (HC) using TMS-EEG with the SAI paradigm. In this study, 30 MCI and 30 HC subjects were included. The SAI paradigm consisted of 80 single pulse TMS and 80 SAI stimulations applied to the left DLPFC. N100 components, global mean field power (GMFP) and total power were calculated. As a result, individuals with MCI showed reduced inhibitory effects on N100 components and GMFP at approximately 100 ms post-stimulation and on β-band activity at 200 ms post-stimulation compared to HC. Individuals with MCI showed reduced SAI, suggesting impaired cholinergic function in the DLPFC compared to the HC group. We conclude that these findings underscore the clinical applicability of the TMS-EEG method as a powerful tool for assessing cholinergic function in individuals with MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yui Tobari
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Nakajima
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Mayuko Takano
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; TEIJIN PHARMA LIMITED, Tokyo 100-8585, Japan
| | - Masataka Wada
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiori Honda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shogyoku Bun
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hajime Tabuchi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Department of Physiology/Memory Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mie Matsui
- Laboratory of Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 920-0934, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Uchida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Noda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Chiu SY, Chen R, Wang WE, Armstrong MJ, Boeve BF, Savica R, Ramanan V, Fields JA, Graff-Radford N, Ferman TJ, Kantarci K, Vaillancourt DE. Longitudinal Free-Water Changes in Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Mov Disord 2024; 39:836-846. [PMID: 38477399 PMCID: PMC11102324 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) examines tissue microstructure integrity in vivo. Prior dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) diffusion tensor imaging studies yielded mixed results. OBJECTIVE We employed free-water (FW) imaging to assess DLB progression and correlate with clinical decline in DLB. METHODS Baseline and follow-up MRIs were obtained at 12 and/or 24 months for 27 individuals with DLB or mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies (MCI-LB). FW was analyzed using the Mayo Clinic Adult Lifespan Template. Primary outcomes were FW differences between baseline and 12 or 24 months. To compare FW change longitudinally, we included 20 cognitively unimpaired individuals from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. RESULTS We followed 23 participants to 12 months and 16 participants to 24 months. Both groups had worsening in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) scores. We found significant FW increases at both time points compared to baseline in the insula, amygdala, posterior cingulum, parahippocampal, entorhinal, supramarginal, fusiform, retrosplenial, and Rolandic operculum regions. At 24 months, we found more widespread microstructural changes in regions implicated in visuospatial processing, motor, and cholinergic functions. Between-group analyses (DLB vs. controls) confirmed significant FW changes over 24 months in most of these regions. FW changes were associated with longitudinal worsening of MDS-UPDRS and MoCA scores. CONCLUSIONS FW increased in gray and white matter regions in DLB, likely due to neurodegenerative pathology associated with disease progression. FW change was associated with clinical decline. The findings support dMRI as a promising tool to track disease progression in DLB. © 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Y. Chiu
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
| | - Robin Chen
- Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Wei-en Wang
- Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | | | | | | | | | - Julie A. Fields
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Tanis J. Ferman
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Kejal Kantarci
- Department of Neuroradiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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Qiu T, Hong H, Zeng Q, Xu X, Wang Y, Zhu L, Zhang L, Li K, Dai S, Li X, Xie F, Zhang Y, Luo X. Effect of cerebral small vessel disease on the integrity of cholinergic system in mild cognitive impairment patients: a longitudinal study. J Neurol 2024; 271:2704-2715. [PMID: 38381177 PMCID: PMC11055699 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12218-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the effect of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) on cholinergic system integrity in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. Nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) volume and cholinergic pathways integrity was evaluated at baseline, 1-, 2-, and 4-year follow-ups in 40 cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants, 29 MCI patients without SVD, and 23 MCI patients with SVD. We compared cholinergic markers among three groups and examined their associations with SVD burden in MCI patients. We used linear mixed models to assess longitudinal changes in cholinergic markers over time among groups. Mediation analysis was employed to investigate the mediating role of cholinergic system degeneration between SVD and cognitive impairment. Increased mean diffusivity (MD) in medial and lateral pathways was observed in MCI patients with SVD compared to those without SVD and CU participants. Both MCI groups showed decreased NBM volume compared to CU participants, while there was no significant difference between the two MCI groups. Longitudinally, compared to CU participants, MCI patients with SVD displayed a more rapid change in MD in both pathways, but not in NBM volume. Furthermore, SVD burden was associated with cholinergic pathway disruption and its faster rate of change in MCI patients. However, mediation analyses showed that cholinergic pathways did not mediate significant indirect effects of SVD burden on cognitive impairment. Our findings suggest that SVD could accelerate the degeneration of cholinergic pathways in MCI patients. However, they do not provide evidence to support that SVD could contribute to cognitive impairment through cholinergic system injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Qiu
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Hui Hong
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingze Zeng
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaopei Xu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Lixin Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Lige Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Kaicheng Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shouping Dai
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Fei Xie
- Department of Equipment and Medical Engineering, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Yusong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Jiao L, Kang H, Geng Y, Liu X, Wang M, Shu K. The role of the nucleus basalis of Meynert in neuromodulation therapy: a systematic review from the perspective of neural network oscillations. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1376764. [PMID: 38650866 PMCID: PMC11033491 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1376764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As a crucial component of the cerebral cholinergic system and the Papez circuit in the basal forebrain, dysfunction of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) is associated with various neurodegenerative disorders. However, no drugs, including existing cholinesterase inhibitors, have been shown to reverse this dysfunction. Due to advancements in neuromodulation technology, researchers are exploring the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy targeting the NBM (NBM-DBS) to treat mental and neurological disorders as well as the related mechanisms. Herein, we provided an update on the research progress on cognition-related neural network oscillations and complex anatomical and projective relationships between the NBM and other cognitive structures and circuits. Furthermore, we reviewed previous animal studies of NBM lesions, NBM-DBS models, and clinical case studies to summarize the important functions of the NBM in neuromodulation. In addition to elucidating the mechanism of the NBM neural network, future research should focus on to other types of neurons in the NBM, despite the fact that cholinergic neurons are still the key target for cell type-specific activation by DBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwu Jiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huicong Kang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yumei Geng
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xuyang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mengying Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kai Shu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Fei B, Cheng Y, Liu Y, Zhang G, Ge A, Luo J, Wu S, Wang H, Ding J, Wang X. Intelligent cholinergic white matter pathways algorithm based on U-net reflects cognitive impairment in patients with silent cerebrovascular disease. Stroke Vasc Neurol 2024:svn-2023-002976. [PMID: 38569895 DOI: 10.1136/svn-2023-002976] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The injury of the cholinergic white matter pathway underlies cognition decline in patients with silent cerebrovascular disease (SCD) with white matter hyperintensities (WMH) of vascular origin. However, the evaluation of the cholinergic white matter pathway is complex with poor consistency. We established an intelligent algorithm to evaluate WMH in the cholinergic pathway. METHODS Patients with SCD with WMH of vascular origin were enrolled. The Cholinergic Pathways Hyperintensities Scale (CHIPS) was used to measure cholinergic white matter pathway impairment. The intelligent algorithm used a deep learning model based on convolutional neural networks to achieve WMH segmentation and CHIPS scoring. The diagnostic value of the intelligent algorithm for moderate-to-severe cholinergic pathway injury was calculated. The correlation between the WMH in the cholinergic pathway and cognitive function was analysed. RESULTS A number of 464 patients with SCD were enrolled in internal training and test set. The algorithm was validated using data from an external cohort comprising 100 patients with SCD. The sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve of the intelligent algorithm to assess moderate and severe cholinergic white matter pathway injury were 91.7%, 87.3%, 0.903 (95% CI 0.861 to 0.952) and 86.5%, 81.3%, 0.868 (95% CI 0.819 to 0.921) for the internal test set and external validation set. for the. The general cognitive function, execution function and attention showed significant differences among the three groups of different CHIPS score (all p<0.05). DISCUSSION We have established the first intelligent algorithm to evaluate the cholinergic white matter pathway with good accuracy compared with the gold standard. It helps more easily assess the cognitive function in patients with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beini Fei
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Cheng
- Fudan University Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangzheng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Anyan Ge
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyi Luo
- Fudan University Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - He Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Fudan University Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Ding
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Novakova L, Gajdos M, Barton M, Brabenec L, Zeleznikova Z, Moravkova I, Rektorova I. Striato-cortical functional connectivity changes in mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2024; 121:106031. [PMID: 38364623 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2024.106031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional connectivity changes in clinically overt neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia with Lewy bodies have been described, but studies on connectivity changes in the pre-dementia phase are scarce. OBJECTIVES We concentrated on evaluating striato-cortical functional connectivity differences between patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment with Lewy bodies and healthy controls and on assessing the relation to cognition. METHODS Altogether, we enrolled 77 participants (47 patients, of which 35 met all the inclusion criteria for the final analysis, and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls, of which 28 met all the inclusion criteria for the final analysis) to study the seed-based connectivity of the dorsal, middle, and ventral striatum. We assessed correlations between functional connectivity in the regions of between-group differences and neuropsychological scores of interest (visuospatial and executive domains z-scores). RESULTS Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment with Lewy Bodies, as compared to healthy controls, showed increased connectivity from the dorsal part of the striatum particularly to the bilateral anterior part of the temporal cortex with an association with executive functions. CONCLUSIONS We were able to capture early abnormal connectivity within cholinergic and noradrenergic pathways that correlated with cognitive functions known to be linked to cholinergic/noradrenergic deficits. The knowledge of specific alterations may improve our understanding of early neural changes in pre-dementia stages and enhance research of disease modifying therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubomira Novakova
- Brain and Mind Research Program, CEITEC, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Gajdos
- Brain and Mind Research Program, CEITEC, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Barton
- Brain and Mind Research Program, CEITEC, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lubos Brabenec
- Brain and Mind Research Program, CEITEC, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zaneta Zeleznikova
- Brain and Mind Research Program, CEITEC, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; First Department of Neurology, St. Anne's University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivona Moravkova
- Brain and Mind Research Program, CEITEC, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; First Department of Neurology, St. Anne's University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Irena Rektorova
- Brain and Mind Research Program, CEITEC, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; First Department of Neurology, St. Anne's University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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13
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Caballero HS, McFall GP, Gee M, MacDonald S, Phillips NA, Fogarty J, Montero-Odasso M, Camicioli R, Dixon RA. Cognitive Speed in Neurodegenerative Disease: Comparing Mean Rate and Inconsistency Within and Across the Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Spectra in the COMPASS-ND Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 100:579-601. [PMID: 38875040 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240210] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Lewy body disease (LBD) are characterized by early and gradual worsening perturbations in speeded cognitive responses. Objective Using simple and choice reaction time tasks, we compared two indicators of cognitive speed within and across the AD and LBD spectra: mean rate (average reaction time across trials) and inconsistency (within person variability). Methods The AD spectrum cohorts included subjective cognitive impairment (SCI, n = 28), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 121), and AD (n = 45) participants. The LBD spectrum included Parkinson's disease (PD, n = 32), mild cognitive impairment in PD (PD-MCI, n = 21), and LBD (n = 18) participants. A cognitively unimpaired (CU, n = 39) cohort served as common benchmark. We conducted multivariate analyses of variance and discrimination analyses. Results Within the AD spectrum, the AD cohort was slower and more inconsistent than the CU, SCI, and MCI cohorts. The MCI cohort was slower than the CU cohort. Within the LBD spectrum, the LBD cohort was slower and more inconsistent than the CU, PD, and PD-MCI cohorts. The PD-MCI cohort was slower than the CU and PD cohorts. In cross-spectra (corresponding cohort) comparisons, the LBD cohort was slower and more inconsistent than the AD cohort. The PD-MCI cohort was slower than the MCI cohort. Discrimination analyses clarified the group difference patterns. Conclusions For both speed tasks, mean rate and inconsistency demonstrated similar sensitivity to spectra-related comparisons. Both dementia cohorts were slower and more inconsistent than each of their respective non-dementia cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Sebastian Caballero
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - G Peggy McFall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Myrlene Gee
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Stuart MacDonald
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Richard Camicioli
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Roger A Dixon
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Qiu T, Hong H, Zeng Q, Luo X, Wang X, Xu X, Xie F, Li X, Li K, Huang P, Dai S, Zhang M. Degeneration of cholinergic white matter pathways and nucleus basalis of Meynert in individuals with objective subtle cognitive impairment. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 132:198-208. [PMID: 37852044 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated alterations in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) volume and integrity of cholinergic white matter pathways in objective subtle cognitive impairment (Obj-SCI) individuals. NBM segmentation and cholinergic pathways tracking were conducted at baseline, 12-, 24-, and 48-month follow-ups in 41 Obj-SCI individuals and 61 healthy controls (HC). The baseline and 4-year rate of change in NBM volume and cholinergic pathways mean diffusivity were compared. Associations between cholinergic index changes and pathological processes and cognitive performance were evaluated. After controlling for age, sex, APOE genotype, and total intracranial volume, Obj-SCI individuals exhibited reduced NBM volume and increased medial pathway mean diffusivity compared to HC at baseline. Furthermore, amyloid-positive Obj-SCI individuals exhibited a steeper longitudinal decline in NBM volume than HC. Additionally, decreases in NBM volume and cholinergic pathways integrity were associated with amyloid and vascular pathologies and cognitive decline. Overall, degeneration of the cholinergic system plays an important role in cognitive impairment during the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease, which may provide a significant target for early therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Qiu
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Hui Hong
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingze Zeng
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohan Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Xiaopei Xu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fei Xie
- Department of Equipment and Medical Engineering, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Kaicheng Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peiyu Huang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shouping Dai
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China.
| | - Minming Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Jellinger KA. Mild cognitive impairment in dementia with Lewy bodies: an update and outlook. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:1491-1508. [PMID: 37418039 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02670-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), the second most common degenerative neurocognitive disorder after Alzheimer disease (AD), is frequently preceded by a period of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), in which cognitive decline is associated with impairment of executive functions/attention, visuospatial deficits, or other cognitive domains and a variety of noncognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, many of which are similar but less severe than in prodromal AD. While 36-38% remain in the MCI state, at least the same will convert to dementia. Biomarkers are slowing of the EEG rhythms, atrophy of hippocampus and nucleus basalis of Meynert, temporoparietal hypoperfusion, signs of degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic, cholinergic and other neurotransmitter systems, and inflammation. Functional neuroimaging studies revealed disturbed connectivity of frontal and limbic networks associated with attention and cognitive controls, dopaminergic and cholinergic circuits manifested prior to overt brain atrophy. Sparse neuropathological data showed varying Lewy body and AD-related stages associated with atrophy of entorhinal, hippocampal, and mediotemporal cortices. Putative pathomechanisms of MCI are degeneration of limbic, dopaminergic, and cholinergic systems with Lewy pathology affecting specific neuroanatomical pathways associated with progressing AD-related lesions, but many pathobiological mechanisms involved in the development of MCI in LBD remain to be elucidated as a basis for early diagnosis and future adequate treatment modalities to prevent progression of this debilitating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt A Jellinger
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Alberichgasse 5/13, 1150, Vienna, Austria.
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16
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Townsend LTJ, Anderson KN, Boeve BF, McKeith I, Taylor JP. Sleep disorders in Lewy body dementia: Mechanisms, clinical relevance, and unanswered questions. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:5264-5283. [PMID: 37392199 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
In Lewy body dementia (LBD), disturbances of sleep and/or arousal including insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome are common. These disorders can each exert a significant negative impact on both patient and caregiver quality of life; however, their etiology is poorly understood. Little guidance is available for assessing and managing sleep disorders in LBD, and they remain under-diagnosed and under-treated. This review aims to (1) describe the specific sleep disorders which occur in LBD, considering their putative or potential mechanisms; (2) describe the history and diagnostic process for these disorders in LBD; and (3) summarize current evidence for their management in LBD and consider some of the ongoing and unanswered questions in this field and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh T J Townsend
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Kirstie N Anderson
- Regional Sleep Service, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Bradley F Boeve
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ian McKeith
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - John-Paul Taylor
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Alam JJ, Maruff P, Doctrow SR, Chu HM, Conway J, Gomperts SN, Teunissen C. Association of Plasma Phosphorylated Tau With the Response to Neflamapimod Treatment in Patients With Dementia With Lewy Bodies. Neurology 2023; 101:e1708-e1717. [PMID: 37657939 PMCID: PMC10624490 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In a proportion of patients, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) copathology, which is linked to accelerated cognitive decline and more extensive cortical atrophy. The objective was to evaluate the relationship between a biomarker of AD copathology, plasma tau phosphorylated at residue 181 (ptau181), and the treatment effects of the p38α kinase inhibitor neflamapimod, which targets the cholinergic degenerative process in DLB. METHODS The AscenD-LB study was a phase 2a, randomized (1:1), 16-week, placebo-controlled clinical trial of neflamapimod in DLB, the main results of which have been published. After the study was completed (i.e., post hoc), pretreatment plasma ptau181 levels were determined and participants were grouped based on a cutoff for AD pathology of 2.2 pg/mL (established in a separate cohort to identify AD from healthy controls). Clinical outcomes for the comparison of placebo with neflamapimod 40 mg three times daily (TID; the higher and more clinically active of 2 doses studied) were analyzed using mixed models for repeated measures within each subgroup (baseline plasma ptau181 < and ≥2.2 pg/mL). RESULTS Pretreatment plasma ptau181 levels were determined in eighty-five participants with mild-to-moderate DLB receiving cholinesterase inhibitors, with 45 participants below and 40 above the 2.2 pg/mL cutoff at baseline. In the 16-week treatment period, in the comparison of placebo with neflamapimod 40 mg TID, for all end points evaluated, improvements with neflamapimod treatment were greater in participants below the cutoff, compared with those above the cutoff. In addition, participants below the ptau181 cutoff at baseline showed significant improvement over placebo in an attention composite measure (+0.42, 95% CI 0.07-0.78, p = 0.023, d = 0.78), the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes (-0.60, 95% CI -1.04 to -0.06, p = 0.031, d = 0.70), the Timed Up and Go test (-3.1 seconds, 95% CI -4.7 to -1.6, p < 0.001, d = 0.74), and International Shopping List Test-Recognition (+1.4, 95% CI 0.2-2.5, p = 0.024, d = 1.00). DISCUSSION Exclusion of patients with elevated plasma ptau181, potentially through excluding patients with extensive cortical neurodegeneration, enriches for a patient with DLB population that is more responsive to neflamapimod. More generally, plasma biomarkers of AD copathology at study entry should be considered as stratification variables in DLB clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION NCT04001517 at ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Alam
- From the CervoMed (formerly EIP Pharma) (J.J.A., S.R.D., J.C.), Inc., Boston, MA; CogState Ltd London (P.M.), United Kingdom; Anoixis Corporation (H.-M.C.), Natick; Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (S.N.G.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown; and Neurochemistry Lab (C.T.), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Paul Maruff
- From the CervoMed (formerly EIP Pharma) (J.J.A., S.R.D., J.C.), Inc., Boston, MA; CogState Ltd London (P.M.), United Kingdom; Anoixis Corporation (H.-M.C.), Natick; Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (S.N.G.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown; and Neurochemistry Lab (C.T.), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susan R Doctrow
- From the CervoMed (formerly EIP Pharma) (J.J.A., S.R.D., J.C.), Inc., Boston, MA; CogState Ltd London (P.M.), United Kingdom; Anoixis Corporation (H.-M.C.), Natick; Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (S.N.G.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown; and Neurochemistry Lab (C.T.), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hui-May Chu
- From the CervoMed (formerly EIP Pharma) (J.J.A., S.R.D., J.C.), Inc., Boston, MA; CogState Ltd London (P.M.), United Kingdom; Anoixis Corporation (H.-M.C.), Natick; Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (S.N.G.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown; and Neurochemistry Lab (C.T.), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Conway
- From the CervoMed (formerly EIP Pharma) (J.J.A., S.R.D., J.C.), Inc., Boston, MA; CogState Ltd London (P.M.), United Kingdom; Anoixis Corporation (H.-M.C.), Natick; Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (S.N.G.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown; and Neurochemistry Lab (C.T.), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stephen N Gomperts
- From the CervoMed (formerly EIP Pharma) (J.J.A., S.R.D., J.C.), Inc., Boston, MA; CogState Ltd London (P.M.), United Kingdom; Anoixis Corporation (H.-M.C.), Natick; Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (S.N.G.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown; and Neurochemistry Lab (C.T.), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Teunissen
- From the CervoMed (formerly EIP Pharma) (J.J.A., S.R.D., J.C.), Inc., Boston, MA; CogState Ltd London (P.M.), United Kingdom; Anoixis Corporation (H.-M.C.), Natick; Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (S.N.G.), Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown; and Neurochemistry Lab (C.T.), Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Chouliaras L, O'Brien JT. The use of neuroimaging techniques in the early and differential diagnosis of dementia. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4084-4097. [PMID: 37608222 PMCID: PMC10827668 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02215-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Dementia is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. At present there is no disease modifying treatment for any of the most common types of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Vascular dementia, Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Early and accurate diagnosis of dementia subtype is critical to improving clinical care and developing better treatments. Structural and molecular imaging has contributed to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative dementias and is increasingly being adopted into clinical practice for early and accurate diagnosis. In this review we summarise the contribution imaging has made with particular focus on multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging (PET). Structural MRI is widely used in clinical practice and can help exclude reversible causes of memory problems but has relatively low sensitivity for the early and differential diagnosis of dementia subtypes. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET has high sensitivity and specificity for AD and FTD, while PET with ligands for amyloid and tau can improve the differential diagnosis of AD and non-AD dementias, including recognition at prodromal stages. Dopaminergic imaging can assist with the diagnosis of LBD. The lack of a validated tracer for α-synuclein or TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) imaging remain notable gaps, though work is ongoing. Emerging PET tracers such as 11C-UCB-J for synaptic imaging may be sensitive early markers but overall larger longitudinal multi-centre cross diagnostic imaging studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas Chouliaras
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
- Specialist Dementia and Frailty Service, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, St Margaret's Hospital, Epping, UK
| | - John T O'Brien
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK.
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
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Schumacher J, Ray NJ, Hamilton CA, Bergamino M, Donaghy PC, Firbank M, Watson R, Roberts G, Allan L, Barnett N, O'Brien JT, Thomas AJ, Taylor JP. Free water imaging of the cholinergic system in dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:4549-4563. [PMID: 36919460 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Degeneration of cortical cholinergic projections from the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) is characteristic of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), whereas involvement of cholinergic projections from the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) to the thalamus is less clear. METHODS We studied both cholinergic projection systems using a free water-corrected diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) model in the following cases: 46 AD, 48 DLB, 35 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with AD, 38 MCI with Lewy bodies, and 71 controls. RESULTS Free water in the NBM-cortical pathway was increased in both dementia and MCI groups compared to controls and associated with cognition. Free water along the PPN-thalamus tract was increased only in DLB and related to visual hallucinations. Results were largely replicated in an independent cohort. DISCUSSION While NBM-cortical projections degenerate early in AD and DLB, the thalamic cholinergic input from the PPN appears to be more selectively affected in DLB and might associate with visual hallucinations. HIGHLIGHTS Free water in the NBM-cortical cholinergic pathways is increased in AD and DLB. NBM-cortical pathway integrity is related to overall cognitive performance. Free water in the PPN-thalamus cholinergic pathway is only increased in DLB, not AD. PPN-thalamus pathway integrity might be related to visual hallucinations in DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schumacher
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Rostock-Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nicola J Ray
- Health, Psychology and Communities Research Centre, Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Calum A Hamilton
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - Maurizio Bergamino
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Neuroimaging Research, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Paul C Donaghy
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - Michael Firbank
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - Rosie Watson
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
| | - Gemma Roberts
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - Louise Allan
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Nicola Barnett
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - John T O'Brien
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alan J Thomas
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - John-Paul Taylor
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
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Crockett RA, Wilkins KB, Zeineh MM, McNab JA, Henderson JM, Buch VP, Brontë-Stewart HM. An Individualized Tractography Pipeline for the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert Lateral Tract. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.31.23294922. [PMID: 37693520 PMCID: PMC10491381 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.31.23294922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Background At the center of the cortical cholinergic network, the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) is crucial for the cognitive domains most vulnerable in PD. Preclinical evidence has demonstrated the positive impact of NBM deep brain stimulation (DBS) on cognition but early human trials have had mixed results. It is possible that DBS of the lateral NBM efferent white matter fiber bundle may be more effective at improving cognitive-motor function. However, precise tractography modelling is required to identify the optimal target for neurosurgical planning. Individualized tractography approaches have been shown to be highly effective for accurately identifying DBS targets but have yet to be developed for the NBM. Methods Using structural and diffusion weighted imaging, we developed a tractography pipeline for precise individualized identification of the lateral NBM target tract. Using dice similarity coefficients, the reliability of the tractography outputs was assessed across three cohorts to investigate: 1) whether this manual pipeline is more reliable than an existing automated pipeline currently used in the literature; 2) the inter- and intra-rater reliability of our pipeline in research scans of patients with PD; and 3) the reliability and practicality of this pipeline in clinical scans of DBS patients. Results The individualized manual pipeline was found to be significantly more reliable than the existing automated pipeline for both the segmentation of the NBM region itself (p<0.001) and the reconstruction of the target lateral tract (p=0.002). There was also no significant difference between the reliability of two different raters in the PD cohort (p=0.25), which showed high inter- (mean Dice coefficient >0.6) and intra-rater (mean Dice coefficient >0.7) reliability across runs. Finally, the pipeline was shown to be highly reliable within the clinical scans (mean Dice coefficient = 0.77). However, accurate reconstruction was only evident in 7/10 tracts. Conclusion We have developed a reliable tractography pipeline for the identification and analysis of the NBM lateral tract in research and clinical grade imaging of healthy young adult and PD patient scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Crockett
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA
| | - Kevin B. Wilkins
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA
| | - Michael M. Zeineh
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, California, USA
- Bio-X, Stanford University, California, USA
| | - Jennifer A. McNab
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, California, USA
- Bio-X, Stanford University, California, USA
| | - Jaimie M. Henderson
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, California, USA
- Bio-X, Stanford University, California, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA
| | - Vivek P. Buch
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, California, USA
- Bio-X, Stanford University, California, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA
| | - Helen M. Brontë-Stewart
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, California, USA
- Bio-X, Stanford University, California, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA
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21
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Crockett RA, Wilkins KB, Aditham S, Brontë-Stewart HM. No laughing white matter: Reduced integrity of the cortical cholinergic pathways in Parkinson's disease-related cognitive impairment. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 185:106243. [PMID: 37524210 PMCID: PMC10510752 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately one third of recently diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD) patients experience cognitive decline. The nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) degenerates early in PD and is crucial for cognitive function. The two main NBM white matter pathways include a lateral and medial trajectory. However, research is needed to determine which pathway, if any, are associated with PD-related cognitive decline. METHODS Thirty-seven PD patients with no mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were included in this study. Participants either developed MCI at 1-year follow up (PD MCI-Converters; n = 16) or did not (PD no-MCI; n = 21). Mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the medial and lateral NBM tracts were extracted using probabilistic tractography. Between-group differences in MD and FA for each tract was compared using ANCOVA, controlling for age, sex, and disease duration. Control comparisons of the internal capsule MD and FA were also performed. Associations between baseline MD or FA and cognitive outcomes (working memory, psychomotor speed, delayed recall, and visuospatial function) were assessed using linear mixed models. RESULTS PD MCI-Converters had significantly greater MD and lower FA (p < .001) of both NBM tracts compared to PD no-MCI. No difference was found in the MD (p = .06) or FA (p = .31) of the control region. Trends were identified between: 1) lateral tract MD and FA with working memory decline; and 2) medial tract MD and reduced psychomotor speed. CONCLUSIONS Reduced integrity of the NBM tracts is evident in PD patients up to one year prior to the development of MCI. Thus, deterioration of the NBM tracts in PD may be an early marker of those at risk of cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Crockett
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kevin B Wilkins
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sudeep Aditham
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Helen M Brontë-Stewart
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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22
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Crockett RA, Wilkins KB, Aditham S, Brontë-Stewart HM. No Laughing White Matter: Cortical Cholinergic Pathways and Cognitive Decline in Parkinson's Disease. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.01.23289348. [PMID: 37205443 PMCID: PMC10187344 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.01.23289348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Background Approximately one third of recently diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD) patients experience cognitive decline. The nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) degenerates early in PD and is crucial for cognitive function. The two main NBM white matter pathways include a lateral and medial trajectory. However, research is needed to determine which pathway, if any, are associated with PD-related cognitive decline. Methods Thirty-seven PD patients with no mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were included in this study. Participants either developed MCI at 1-year follow up (PD MCI-Converters; n=16) or did not (PD no-MCI; n=21). Mean diffusivity (MD) of the medial and lateral NBM tracts were extracted using probabilistic tractography. Between-group differences in MD for each tract was compared using ANCOVA, controlling for age, sex, and disease duration. Control comparisons of the internal capsule MD were also performed. Associations between baseline MD and cognitive outcomes (working memory, psychomotor speed, delayed recall, and visuospatial function) were assessed using linear mixed models. Results PD MCI-Converters had significantly greater MD of both NBM tracts compared to PD no-MCI (p<.001). No difference was found in the control region (p=.06). Trends were identified between: 1) lateral tract MD, poorer visuospatial performance (p=.05) and working memory decline (p=.04); and 2) medial tract MD and reduced psychomotor speed (p=.03). Conclusions Reduced integrity of the NBM tracts is evident in PD patients up to one year prior to the development of MCI. Thus, deterioration of the NBM tracts in PD may be an early marker of those at risk of cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Crockett
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kevin B. Wilkins
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sudeep Aditham
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Helen M. Brontë-Stewart
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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23
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Yu MC, Chuang YF, Wu SC, Ho CF, Liu YC, Chou CJ. White matter hyperintensities in cholinergic pathways are associated with dementia severity in e4 carriers but not in non-carriers. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1100322. [PMID: 36864910 PMCID: PMC9971995 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1100322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Among individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), APOE e4 carriers with increased white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) may selectively be at increased risk of cognitive impairment. Given that the cholinergic system plays a crucial role in cognitive impairment, this study aimed to identify how APOE status modulates the associations between dementia severity and white matter hyperintensities in cholinergic pathways. Methods From 2018 to 2022, we recruited participants (APOE e4 carriers, n = 49; non-carriers, n = 117) from the memory clinic of Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Participants underwent brain MRI, neuropsychological testing, and APOE genotyping. In this study, we applied the visual rating scale of the Cholinergic Pathways Hyperintensities Scale (CHIPS) to evaluate WMHs in cholinergic pathways compared with the Fazekas scale. Multiple regression was used to assess the influence of CHIPS score and APOE carrier status on dementia severity based on Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB). Results After adjusting for age, education and sex, higher CHIPS scores tended to be associated with higher CDR-SB in APOE e4 carriers but not in the non-carrier group. Conclusions Carriers and non-carriers present distinct associations between dementia severity and WMHs in cholinergic pathways. In APOE e4 carriers, increased white matter in cholinergic pathways are associated with greater dementia severity. In non-carriers, WMHs exhibit less predictive roles for clinical dementia severity. WMHs on the cholinergic pathway may have a different impact on APOE e4 carriers vs. non-carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chun Yu
- Department of Neurology, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fang Chuang
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ching Wu
- Department of Neurology, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Feng Ho
- Department of Radiology, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chien Liu
- Department of Neurology, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan,Medical School of Fu-Jen University, New Taipei City, Taiwan,Geriatric Behavioral Neurology Project, Tohoku University New Industry Hatchery Center (NICHe), Sendai, Japan,*Correspondence: Yi-Chien Liu ✉
| | - Chia-Ju Chou
- Department of Neurology, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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24
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Jiang Y, Yuan TS, Chen YC, Guo P, Lian TH, Liu YY, Liu W, Bai YT, Zhang Q, Zhang W, Zhang JG. Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus basalis of Meynert modulates hippocampal-frontoparietal networks in patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:51. [PMID: 36471370 PMCID: PMC9721033 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00327-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) has shown potential for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there is little evidence of whether NBM-DBS can improve cognitive functioning in patients with advanced AD. In addition, the mechanisms underlying the modulation of brain networks remain unclear. This study was aimed to assess the cognitive function and the resting-state connectivity following NBM-DBS in patients with advanced AD. METHODS Eight patients with advanced AD underwent bilateral NBM-DBS and were followed up for 12 months. Clinical outcomes were assessed by neuropsychological examinations using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography data were also collected. RESULTS The cognitive functioning of AD patients did not change from baseline to the 12-month follow-up. Interestingly, the MMSE score indicated clinical efficacy at 1 month of follow-up. At this time point, the connectivity between the hippocampal network and frontoparietal network tended to increase in the DBS-on state compared to the DBS-off state. Additionally, the increased functional connectivity between the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) and the parietal cortex was associated with cognitive improvement. Further dynamic functional network analysis showed that NBM-DBS increased the proportion of the PHG-related connections, which was related to improved cognitive performance. CONCLUSION The results indicated that NBM-DBS improves short-term cognitive performance in patients with advanced AD, which may be related to the modulation of multi-network connectivity patterns, and the hippocampus plays an important role within these networks. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR, ChiCTR1900022324. Registered 5 April 2019-Prospective registration. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=37712.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Jiang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Tian-Shuo Yuan
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Ying-Chuan Chen
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Peng Guo
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XCenter for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Teng-Hong Lian
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XCenter for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Yu-Ye Liu
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Wei Liu
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Yu-Tong Bai
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Quan Zhang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Wei Zhang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XCenter for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China
| | - Jian-Guo Zhang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Functional Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070 China ,grid.413259.80000 0004 0632 3337Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurostimulation, Beijing, 100070 China
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Zeng Q, Qiu T, Li K, Luo X, Wang S, Xu X, Liu X, Hong L, Li J, Huang P, Zhang M. Increased functional connectivity between nucleus basalis of Meynert and amygdala in cognitively intact elderly along the Alzheimer's continuum. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 36:103256. [PMID: 36451361 PMCID: PMC9668640 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of research reported the degeneration of the basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic system in the early course of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, functional changes of the BF in asymptomatic individuals along the Alzheimer's continuum remain unclear. METHODS A total of 229 cognitively intact participants were included from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative dataset and further divided into four groups based on the "A/T" profile using amyloid and tau positron emission tomography (PET). All A-T+ subjects were excluded. One hundred and seventy-three subjects along the Alzheimer's continuum (A-T-, A+ T-, A+ T+) were used for further study. The seed-based functional connectivity (FC) maps of the BF subregions (Ch1-3 and Ch4 [nucleus basalis of Meynert, NBM]) with whole-brain voxels were constructed. Analyses of covariance to detect the between-group differences and to further investigated the relations between FC values and AD biomarkers or cognition. RESULTS We found increased FC between right Ch4 and bilateral amygdala among three groups, and the FC value could well distinguish between the A-T- group and the Alzheimer's continuum groups. Furthermore, increased FC between the Ch4 and amygdala was associated with higher pathological burden reflected by amyloid and tau PET in the entire population as well as better logistic memory function in A + T+ group. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated the NBM functional connectivity increased in cognitively normal elderly along the Alzheimer's continuum, which indicated a potential compensatory mechanism to counteract pathological changes in AD and maintain intact cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingze Zeng
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tiantian Qiu
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Kaicheng Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuyue Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaopei Xu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaocao Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luwei Hong
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jixuan Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peiyu Huang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Minming Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Preclinical and randomized clinical evaluation of the p38α kinase inhibitor neflamapimod for basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5308. [PMID: 36130946 PMCID: PMC9492778 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32944-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The endosome-associated GTPase Rab5 is a central player in the molecular mechanisms leading to degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN), a long-standing target for drug development. As p38α is a Rab5 activator, we hypothesized that inhibition of this kinase holds potential as an approach to treat diseases associated with BFCN loss. Herein, we report that neflamapimod (oral small molecule p38α inhibitor) reduces Rab5 activity, reverses endosomal pathology, and restores the numbers and morphology of BFCNs in a mouse model that develops BFCN degeneration. We also report on the results of an exploratory (hypothesis-generating) phase 2a randomized double-blind 16-week placebo-controlled clinical trial (Clinical trial registration: NCT04001517/EudraCT #2019-001566-15) of neflamapimod in mild-to-moderate dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), a disease in which BFCN degeneration is an important driver of disease expression. A total of 91 participants, all receiving background cholinesterase inhibitor therapy, were randomized 1:1 between neflamapimod 40 mg or matching placebo capsules (taken orally twice-daily if weight <80 kg or thrice-daily if weight >80 kg). Neflamapimod does not show an effect in the clinical study on the primary endpoint, a cognitive-test battery. On two secondary endpoints, a measure of functional mobility and a dementia rating-scale, improvements were seen that are consistent with an effect on BFCN function. Neflamapimod treatment is well-tolerated with no study drug associated treatment discontinuations. The combined preclinical and clinical observations inform on the validity of the Rab5-based pathogenic model of cholinergic degeneration and provide a foundation for confirmatory (hypothesis-testing) clinical evaluation of neflamapimod in DLB.
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27
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Kosyreva AM, Sentyabreva AV, Tsvetkov IS, Makarova OV. Alzheimer’s Disease and Inflammaging. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12091237. [PMID: 36138973 PMCID: PMC9496782 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorders. The main theory of Alzheimer’s disease progress is the amyloid-β cascade hypothesis. However, the initial mechanisms of insoluble forms of amyloid-β formation and hyperphosphorylated tau protein in neurons remain unclear. One of the factors, which might play a key role in senile plaques and tau fibrils generation due to Alzheimer’s disease, is inflammaging, i.e., systemic chronic low-grade age-related inflammation. The activation of the proinflammatory cell phenotype is observed during aging, which might be one of the pivotal mechanisms for the development of chronic inflammatory diseases, e.g., atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and Alzheimer’s disease. This review discusses the role of the inflammatory processes in developing neurodegeneration, activated during physiological aging and due to various diseases such as atherosclerosis, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and depressive disorders.
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Liu Y, Cheng X, Li H, Hui S, Zhang Z, Xiao Y, Peng W. Non-Coding RNAs as Novel Regulators of Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Immunol 2022; 13:908076. [PMID: 35720333 PMCID: PMC9201920 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.908076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of dementia. Although significant breakthroughs have been made in understanding the progression and pathogenesis of AD, it remains a worldwide problem and a significant public health burden. Thus, more efficient diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are urgently required. The latest research studies have revealed that neuroinflammation is crucial in the pathogenesis of AD. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), have been strongly associated with AD-induced neuroinflammation. Furthermore, several ongoing pre-clinical studies are currently investigating ncRNA as disease biomarkers and therapeutic interventions to provide new perspectives for AD diagnosis and treatment. In this review, the role of different types of ncRNAs in neuroinflammation during AD are summarized in order to improve our understanding of AD etiology and aid in the translation of basic research into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Liu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Cheng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Changsha, China
| | - Hongli Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Changsha, China
| | - Shan Hui
- Department of Geratology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Zheyu Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, Changsha, China.,Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weijun Peng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Changsha, China
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Fixemer S, Ameli C, Hammer G, Salamanca L, Uriarte Huarte O, Schwartz C, Gérardy JJ, Mechawar N, Skupin A, Mittelbronn M, Bouvier DS. Microglia phenotypes are associated with subregional patterns of concomitant tau, amyloid-β and α-synuclein pathologies in the hippocampus of patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:36. [PMID: 35296366 PMCID: PMC8925098 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01342-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular alterations of the hippocampus lead to memory decline, a shared symptom between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) patients. However, the subregional deterioration pattern of the hippocampus differs between AD and DLB with the CA1 subfield being more severely affected in AD. The activation of microglia, the brain immune cells, could play a role in its selective volume loss. How subregional microglia populations vary within AD or DLB and across these conditions remains poorly understood. Furthermore, how the nature of the hippocampal local pathological imprint is associated with microglia responses needs to be elucidated. To this purpose, we employed an automated pipeline for analysis of 3D confocal microscopy images to assess CA1, CA3 and DG/CA4 subfields microglia responses in post-mortem hippocampal samples from late-onset AD (n = 10), DLB (n = 8) and age-matched control (CTL) (n = 11) individuals. In parallel, we performed volumetric analyses of hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau), amyloid-β (Aβ) and phosphorylated α-synuclein (pSyn) loads. For each of the 32,447 extracted microglia, 16 morphological features were measured to classify them into seven distinct morphological clusters. Our results show similar alterations of microglial morphological features and clusters in AD and DLB, but with more prominent changes in AD. We identified two distinct microglia clusters enriched in disease conditions and particularly increased in CA1 and DG/CA4 of AD and CA3 of DLB. Our study confirms frequent concomitance of pTau, Aβ and pSyn loads across AD and DLB but reveals a specific subregional pattern for each type of pathology, along with a generally increased severity in AD. Furthermore, pTau and pSyn loads were highly correlated across subregions and conditions. We uncovered tight associations between microglial changes and the subfield pathological imprint. Our findings suggest that combinations and severity of subregional pTau, Aβ and pSyn pathologies transform local microglia phenotypic composition in the hippocampus. The high burdens of pTau and pSyn associated with increased microglial alterations could be a factor in CA1 vulnerability in AD.
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