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Rau A, Schröter N, Blazhenets G, Maurer C, Urbach H, Meyer PT, Frings L. The metabolic spatial covariance pattern of definite idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: an FDG PET study with principal components analysis. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:202. [PMID: 37980531 PMCID: PMC10657637 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01339-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Identification of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) in a collective with suspected neurodegenerative disease is essential. This study aimed to determine the metabolic spatial covariance pattern of iNPH on FDG PET using an established technique based on scaled subprofile model principal components analysis (SSM-PCA).We identified 11 patients with definite iNPH. By applying SSM-PCA to the FDG PET data, they were compared to 48 age-matched healthy controls to determine the whole-brain voxel-wise metabolic spatial covariance pattern of definite iNPH (iNPH-related pattern, iNPHRP). The iNPHRP score was compared between groups of patients with definite iNPH, possible iNPH (N = 34), Alzheimer's (AD, N = 38), and Parkinson's disease (PD, N = 35) applying pairwise Mann-Whitney U tests and correction for multiple comparisons.SSM-PCA of FDG PET revealed an iNPHRP that is characterized by relative negative voxel weights at the vicinity of the lateral ventricles and relative positive weights in the paracentral midline region. The iNPHRP scores of patients with definite iNPH were substantially higher than in patients with AD and PD (both p < 0.05) and non-significantly higher than those of patients with possible iNPH. Subject scores of the iNPHRP discriminated definite iNPH from AD and PD with 96% and 100% accuracy and possible iNPH from AD and PD with 83% and 86% accuracy.We defined a novel metabolic spatial covariance pattern of iNPH that might facilitate the differential diagnosis of iNPH versus other neurodegenerative disorders. The knowledge of iNPH-associated alterations in the cerebral glucose metabolism is of high relevance as iNPH constitutes an important differential diagnosis to dementia and movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Rau
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nils Schröter
- Department of Neurology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ganna Blazhenets
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Maurer
- Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Horst Urbach
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp T Meyer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lars Frings
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Brier MR, Taha F. Measuring Pathology in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Using Positron Emission Tomography. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2023; 23:479-488. [PMID: 37418219 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-023-01285-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Multiple sclerosis is characterized by a diverse and complex pathology. Clinical relapses, the hallmark of the disease, are accompanied by focal white matter lesions with intense inflammatory and demyelinating activity. Prevention of these relapses has been the major focus of pharmaceutical development, and it is now possible to dramatically reduce this inflammatory activity. Unfortunately, disability accumulation persists for many people living with multiple sclerosis owing to ongoing damage within existing lesions, pathology outside of discrete lesions, and other yet unknown factors. Understanding this complex pathological cascade will be critical to stopping progressive multiple sclerosis. Positron emission tomography uses biochemically specific radioligands to quantitatively measure pathological processes with molecular specificity. This review examines recent advances in the understanding of multiple sclerosis facilitated by positron emission tomography and identifies future avenues to expand understanding and treatment options. RECENT FINDINGS An increasing number of radiotracers allow for the quantitative measurement of inflammatory abnormalities, de- and re-myelination, and metabolic disruption associated with multiple sclerosis. The studies have identified contributions of ongoing, smoldering inflammation to accumulating tissue injury and clinical worsening. Myelin studies have quantified the dynamics of myelin loss and recovery. Lastly, metabolic changes have been found to contribute to symptom worsening. The molecular specificity facilitated by positron emission tomography in people living with multiple sclerosis will critically inform efforts to modulate the pathology leading to progressive disability accumulation. Existing studies show the power of this approach applied to multiple sclerosis. This armamentarium of radioligands allows for new understanding of how the brain and spinal cord of people is impacted by multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Brier
- Department of Neurology, John L Trotter MS Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA.
| | - Farris Taha
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
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Schröter N, Bormann T, Rijntjes M, Blazhenets G, Berti R, Sajonz BE, Urbach H, Weiller C, Meyer PT, Rau A, Frings L. Cognitive Deficits in Parkinson's Disease Are Associated with Neuronal Dysfunction and Not White Matter Lesions. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2023; 10:1066-1073. [PMID: 37476309 PMCID: PMC10354622 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cognitive deficits considerably contribute to the patient's burden in Parkinson's disease (PD). While cognitive decline is linked to neuronal dysfunction, the additional role of white matter lesions (WML) is discussed controversially. Objective To investigate the influence of WML, in comparison to neuronal dysfunction, on cognitive deficits in PD. Methods We prospectively recruited patients with PD who underwent neuropsychological assessment using the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale 2 (DRS-2) or Parkinson Neuropsychometric Dementia Assessment (PANDA) and both MRI and PET with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). WML-load and PD cognition-related covariance pattern (PDCP) as a measure of neuronal dysfunction were read out. Relationship between cognitive performance and rank-transformed WML was analyzed with linear regression, controlling for the patients' age. PDCP subject scores were investigated likewise and in a second step adjusting for age and WML load. Results Inclusion criteria were met by 76 patients with a mean (± SD) age of 63.5 ± 9.0 years and disease duration of 10.7 ± 5.4 years. Neuropsychological testing revealed front executive and parietal deficits and a median DRS-2 score of 137 (range 119-144)/144 and PANDA score of 22 (range 3-30)/30. No association between WML and cognition was observed, whereas PDCP subject scores showed a trend-level negative correlation with the DRS-2 (P = 0.060) as well as a negative correlation with PANDA (P = 0.049) which persisted also after additional correction for WML (P = 0.039). Conclusion The present study indicates that microangiopathic WML do not have a relevant impact on neurocognitive performance in PD whereas neuronal dysfunction does.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Schröter
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Tobias Bormann
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Michel Rijntjes
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Ganna Blazhenets
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Raissa Berti
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Bastian E.A. Sajonz
- Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Horst Urbach
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Cornelius Weiller
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Philipp T. Meyer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Alexander Rau
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Lars Frings
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Freiburg, Medical Center, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
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Antypa D, Simos NJ, Panou T, Spyridaki E, Kagialis A, Kosteletou E, Kavroulakis E, Mastorodemos V, Papadaki E. Distinct hemodynamic and functional connectivity features of fatigue in clinically isolated syndrome and multiple sclerosis: accounting for the confounding effect of concurrent depression symptoms. Neuroradiology 2023:10.1007/s00234-023-03174-1. [PMID: 37301785 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-023-03174-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to identify common and distinct hemodynamic and functional connectivity (FC) features for self-rated fatigue and depression symptoms in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS). METHODS Twenty-four CIS, 29 RR-MS patients, and 39 healthy volunteers were examined using resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) to obtain whole-brain maps of (i) hemodynamic response patterns (through time shift analysis), (ii) FC (via intrinsic connectivity contrast maps), and (iii) coupling between hemodynamic response patterns and FC. Each regional map was correlated with fatigue scores, controlling for depression, and with depression scores, controlling for fatigue. RESULTS In CIS patients, the severity of fatigue was associated with accelerated hemodynamic response in the insula, hyperconnectivity of the superior frontal gyrus, and evidence of reduced hemodynamics-FC coupling in the left amygdala. In contrast, depression severity was associated with accelerated hemodynamic response in the right limbic temporal pole, hypoconnectivity of the anterior cingulate gyrus, and increased hemodynamics-FC coupling in the left amygdala. In RR-MS patients, fatigue was associated with accelerated hemodynamic response in the insula and medial superior frontal cortex, increased functional role of the left amygdala, and hypoconnectivity of the dorsal orbitofrontal cortex, while depression symptom severity was linked to delayed hemodynamic response in the medial superior frontal gyrus; hypoconnectivity of the insula, ventromedial thalamus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and posterior cingulate; and decreased hemodynamics-FC coupling of the medial orbitofrontal cortex. CONCLUSION There are distinct FC and hemodynamic responses, as well as different magnitude and topography of hemodynamic connectivity coupling, associated with fatigue and depression in early and later stages of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina Antypa
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Nicholas John Simos
- Computational Bio-Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Theodora Panou
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Eirini Spyridaki
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Antonios Kagialis
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Emmanouela Kosteletou
- Institute of Applied Mathematics, Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Kavroulakis
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Vasileios Mastorodemos
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Efrosini Papadaki
- Computational Bio-Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
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Neural activity of the auditory cortex predicts speech recognition of patients with asymmetric hearing loss after cochlear implantation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8068. [PMID: 35577877 PMCID: PMC9110403 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12139-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with asymmetric hearing loss show an asymmetry of glucose metabolism of the primary auditory cortex (PAC). We investigated whether this asymmetry could serve as an objective predictor for speech recognition with CI. Nine patients underwent 18FDG PET prior to CI surgery. Average normalized 18FDG uptake of 25% of voxels with highest uptake was calculated for the PAC employing a probabilistic atlas and cerebellar cortex as reference. Differences in glucose metabolism of the PAC were assessed by an asymmetry index (AI-PAC). We tested the correlation between outcome of CI surgery (6 months post implantation), AI-PAC and clinical predictors. Pre-operative AI-PAC showed a positive correlation with speech recognition with CI (significant for sentences and numbers; trend for monosyllabic words). With a pre-operative AI-PAC ≥ 4.2%, patients reached good CI outcome in sentence recognition of 59–90% and number recognition of 90–100% and less favorable CI outcome in monosyllabic word recognition of 25–45%. Age at symptom onset was significantly associated with all measures of speech recognition, while deafness duration was only associated with sentence recognition. AI-PAC allows for a reliable and quantitative pre-operative prediction of early improvement in speech recognition after CI. 18FDG PET may be a valuable addition to the objective pre-operative assessment of CI candidates. Further studies in larger cohorts and with longer follow-up times are needed.
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Shamaeizadeh N, Varshosaz J, Mirian M, Aliomrani M. Glutathione targeted tragacanthic acid-chitosan as a non-viral vector for brain delivery of miRNA-219a-5P: An in vitro/in vivo study. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 200:543-556. [PMID: 35066026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.01.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive chronic demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease. The symptoms could only be diminished through stimulated remyelination. Although administration of microRNA-219a-5P (miR-219) seems to recover the damages, it is hampered by the challenging delivery of genes to the central nervous system across the blood-brain barrier. To enhance the CNS delivery of miR-219, a novel non-viral targeted vector was appraised by conjugating chitosan (Ch) to tragacanthic acid (TA) and glutathione (Glu). The nanoparticles were characterized and injected into the cuprizone model of MS mice to investigate the in vivo features of the resulting polyplex. Transmission electron microscopy, luxol fast blue staining, and proteolipid protein 1 (Plp1) overexpression confirmed more compact myelin sheaths following the administration of the targeted miR-219 nanoparticles and positron emission tomography (PET) scan also demonstrated the reduced inflammation and higher cell regeneration in the brain. Fluorescence microscopy and in vivo imaging were employed to identify miR-219 accumulation patterns in mice. The polyplex led to miR-219 overexpression, crystallin alpha B upregulation, and apolipoprotein E downregulation. It was concluded that glutathione targeted Ch/TA nanoparticles could be exploited as a feasible non-viral vector for miR-219 specific targeting to the brain, miR-219 overexpression and inflammation abatement in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahal Shamaeizadeh
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Novel Drug Delivery Systems Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Jaleh Varshosaz
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Novel Drug Delivery Systems Research Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Mina Mirian
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Aliomrani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Isfahan Pharmaceutical Science Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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Shahrampour S, Heholt J, Wang A, Vedaei F, Mohamed FB, Alizadeh M, Wang Z, Zabrecky G, Wintering N, Bazzan AJ, Leist TP, Monti DA, Newberg AB. N-acetyl cysteine administration affects cerebral blood flow as measured by arterial spin labeling MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07615. [PMID: 34377857 PMCID: PMC8327674 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to explore if administration of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) resulted in altered cerebral blood flow (CBF) based on Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS Twenty-three patients with mild to moderate MS, (17 relapsing remitting and 6 primary progressive) were randomized to either NAC plus standard of care (N = 11), or standard of care only (N = 12). The experimental group received NAC intravenously (50 mg/kg) once per week and orally (500mg 2x/day) the other six days. Patients in both groups were evaluated initially and after 2 months (of receiving the NAC or waitlist control) with ASL MRI to measure CBF. Clinical symptom questionnaires were also completed at both time points. RESULTS The CBF data showed significant differences in several brain regions including the pons, midbrain, left temporal and frontal lobe, left thalamus, right middle frontal lobe and right temporal/hippocampus (p < 0.001) in the MS group after treatment with NAC, when compared to the control group. Self-reported scores related to cognition and attention were also significantly improved in the NAC group as compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that NAC administration alters resting CBF in MS patients, and this is associated with qualitative improvements in cognition and attention. Given these findings, large scale efficacy studies will be of value to determine the potential clinical impact of NAC over the course of illness in patients with MS, as well as the most effective dosages and differential effects across subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Shahrampour
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Justin Heholt
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew Wang
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at FAU Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL USA
| | - Faezeh Vedaei
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Feroze B. Mohamed
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mahdi Alizadeh
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ze Wang
- Department of Radiology, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - George Zabrecky
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nancy Wintering
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anthony J. Bazzan
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thomas P. Leist
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel A. Monti
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew B. Newberg
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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8
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Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy and fatigue in multiple sclerosis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020; 127:1177-1183. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-020-02221-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Monti DA, Zabrecky G, Leist TP, Wintering N, Bazzan AJ, Zhan T, Newberg AB. N-acetyl Cysteine Administration Is Associated With Increased Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: An Exploratory Study. Front Neurol 2020; 11:88. [PMID: 32117038 PMCID: PMC7033492 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease marked by progressive neurocognitive injury. Treatment options affording neuroprotective effects remain largely experimental. The purpose of this proof of concept study was to explore the effects of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) on cerebral glucose metabolism (CMRGlu) and symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Twenty-four patients with MS were randomized to either NAC plus standard of care, or standard of care only (waitlist control). The experimental group received NAC intravenously once per week and orally the other 6 days. Patients in both groups were evaluated at baseline and after 2 months (of receiving the NAC or waitlist control period) with an integrated Position Emission Tomography (PET)/ Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, using 18F Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to measure cerebral glucose metabolism. Following imaging evaluation at 2 months, subjects initially attributed to the standard of care arm were eligible for treatment with NAC. Clinical and symptom questionnaires were also completed initially and after 2 months. Results: The FDG PET data showed significantly increased cerebral glucose metabolism in several brain regions including the caudate, inferior frontal gyrus, lateral temporal gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus (p < 0.05) in the MS group treated with NAC, as compared to the control group. Self-reported scores related to cognition and attention were also significantly improved in the NAC group as compared to the control group. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that NAC positively affects cerebral glucose metabolism in MS patients, which is associated with qualitative, patient reported improvements in cognition and attention. Larger scale studies may help to determine the clinical impact of NAC on measures of functioning over the course of illness, as well as the most effective dosage and dosage regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Monti
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - George Zabrecky
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Thomas P Leist
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nancy Wintering
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anthony J Bazzan
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tingting Zhan
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Andrew B Newberg
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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