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Polverino A, Troisi Lopez E, Liparoti M, Minino R, Romano A, Cipriano L, Trojsi F, Jirsa V, Sorrentino G, Sorrentino P. Altered spreading of fast aperiodic brain waves relates to disease duration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 163:14-21. [PMID: 38663099 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.04.003] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that patients affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) show an altered spatio-temporal spreading of neuronal avalanches in the brain, and that this may related to the clinical picture. METHODS We obtained the source-reconstructed magnetoencephalography (MEG) signals from thirty-six ALS patients and forty-two healthy controls. Then, we used the construct of the avalanche transition matrix (ATM) and the corresponding network parameter nodal strength to quantify the changes in each region, since this parameter provides key information about which brain regions are mostly involved in the spreading avalanches. RESULTS ALS patients presented higher values of the nodal strength in both cortical and sub-cortical brain areas. This parameter correlated directly with disease duration. CONCLUSIONS In this work, we provide a deeper characterization of neuronal avalanches propagation in ALS, describing their spatio-temporal trajectories and identifying the brain regions most likely to be involved in the process. This makes it possible to recognize the brain areas that take part in the pathogenic mechanisms of ALS. Furthermore, the nodal strength of the involved regions correlates directly with disease duration. SIGNIFICANCE Our results corroborate the clinical relevance of aperiodic, fast large-scale brain activity as a biomarker of microscopic changes induced by neurophysiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Polverino
- Institute of Diagnosis and Treatment Hermitage Capodimonte, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Emahnuel Troisi Lopez
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of National Research Council, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Marianna Liparoti
- Department of Philosophical, Pedagogical and Economic-Quantitative Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara G. D'Annunzio, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Roberta Minino
- Department of Medical, Motor and Wellness Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Romano
- Department of Medical, Motor and Wellness Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cipriano
- Department of Medical, Motor and Wellness Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Trojsi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Naples, Italy
| | - Viktor Jirsa
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Inserm, INS, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Giuseppe Sorrentino
- Institute of Diagnosis and Treatment Hermitage Capodimonte, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of National Research Council, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; Department of Medical, Motor and Wellness Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, 80133 Naples, Italy.
| | - Pierpaolo Sorrentino
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of National Research Council, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Inserm, INS, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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2
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Sun W, Liu SH, Wei XJ, Sun H, Ma ZW, Yu XF. Potential of neuroimaging as a biomarker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from structure to metabolism. J Neurol 2024; 271:2238-2257. [PMID: 38367047 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12201-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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron degeneration. The development of ALS involves metabolite alterations leading to tissue lesions in the nervous system. Recent advances in neuroimaging have significantly improved our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of ALS, with findings supporting the corticoefferent axonal disease progression theory. Current studies on neuroimaging in ALS have demonstrated inconsistencies, which may be due to small sample sizes, insufficient statistical power, overinterpretation of findings, and the inherent heterogeneity of ALS. Deriving meaningful conclusions solely from individual imaging metrics in ALS studies remains challenging, and integrating multimodal imaging techniques shows promise for detecting valuable ALS biomarkers. In addition to giving an overview of the principles and techniques of different neuroimaging modalities, this review describes the potential of neuroimaging biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognostication of ALS. We provide an insight into the underlying pathology, highlighting the need for standardized protocols and multicenter collaborations to advance ALS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Si-Han Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Wei
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Zhen-Wei Ma
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xue-Fan Yu
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
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3
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Lemon R. The Corticospinal System and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: IFCN handbook chapter. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 160:56-67. [PMID: 38401191 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.02.001] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Corticospinal neurons located in motor areas of the cerebral neocortex project corticospinal axons which synapse with the spinal network; a parallel corticobulbar system projects to the cranial motor network and to brainstem motor pathways. The primate corticospinal system has a widespread cortical origin and an extensive range of different fibre diameters, including thick, fast-conducting axons. Direct cortico-motoneuronal (CM) projections from the motor cortex to arm and hand alpha motoneurons are a recent evolutionary feature, that is well developed in dexterous primates and particularly in humans. Many of these projections originate from the caudal subdivision of area 4 ('new' M1: primary motor cortex). They arise from corticospinal neurons of varied soma size, including those with fast- and relatively slow-conducting axons. This CM system has been shown to be involved in the control of skilled movements, carried out with fractionation of the distal extremities and at low force levels. During movement, corticospinal neurons are activated quite differently from 'lower' motoneurons, and there is no simple or fixed functional relationship between a so-called 'upper' motoneuron and its target lower motoneuron. There are key differences in the organisation and function of the corticospinal and CM system in primates versus non-primates, such as rodents. These differences need to be recognized when making the choice of animal model for understanding disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this neurodegenerative brain disease there is a selective loss of fast-conducting corticospinal axons, and their synaptic connections, and this is reflected in responses to non-invasive cortical stimuli and measures of cortico-muscular coherence. The loss of CM connections influencing distal limb muscles results in a differential loss of muscle strength or 'split-hand' phenotype. Importantly, there is also a unique impairment in the coordination of skilled hand tasks that require fractionation of digit movement. Scores on validated tests of skilled hand function could be used to assess disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Lemon
- Department of Clinical and Movement Sciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
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4
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Shirota Y, Otsuka J, Toda T, Hamada M. Neurophysiological differentiation of upper motor neuron damage in neurodegenerative disorders. Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2022; 7:273-278. [PMID: 36263296 PMCID: PMC9574772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnp.2022.09.002] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
ALS and MSA presented with similar profiles of upper motor neuron signs. Central motor conduction time was more abnormal in ALS than in MSA. Different structures may be involved in ALS and MSA along the corticospinal tract.
Objective Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to delineate upper motor neuron (UMN) signs of two neurodegenerative disorders: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Methods Medical records including clinical signs for UMN damage and TMS results were reviewed retrospectively. The UMN signs were classified into none, mild, and severe based on neurological examination of various reflexes. Then TMS-elicited motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded from a hand and a leg muscle to calculate the central motor conduction time (CMCT), which represents fast, mono-synaptic conduction along the corticospinal tract. Relations between the UMN signs and CMCT were analysed for the two diseases. Results Prevalence and severity of the UMN signs for ALS and MSA were comparable for both upper and lower limbs. However, abnormality in CMCT was found more frequently in ALS: CMCT abnormalities were found in upper limbs for 44% in ALS patients but only for 7% in MSA patients; CMCT abnormalities in lower limbs were 55% in ALS and 20% in MSA. Some ALS patients showed abnormal CMCT in limbs without UMN signs, which was not true for most MSA patients. Conclusions The abnormalities of CMCT were different in ALS and MSA, even for those who clinically had similar UMN signs. Sometimes, CMCT can reveal UMN damage in the absence of clinical UMN signs. Differences presumably derive from selective degeneration of different fibres in the motor descending pathways. Longitudinal studies must be conducted to accumulate neuroimaging and pathological findings. Significance CMCT can be useful to differentiate ALS and MSA.
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5
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Donatelli G, Costagli M, Cecchi P, Migaleddu G, Bianchi F, Frumento P, Siciliano G, Cosottini M. Motor cortical patterns of upper motor neuron pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A 3 T MRI study with iron-sensitive sequences. NEUROIMAGE: CLINICAL 2022; 35:103138. [PMID: 36002961 PMCID: PMC9421531 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
M1 regions associated with the body site of onset are frequently affected at MRI. The simultaneous involvement of both homologous M1 regions is frequent. The T2* hypointensity in non-contiguous M1 regions seems rare.
Background Patterns of initiation and propagation of disease in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are still partly unknown. Single or multiple foci of neurodegeneration followed by disease diffusion to contiguous or connected regions have been proposed as mechanisms underlying symptom occurrence. Here, we investigated cortical patterns of upper motor neuron (UMN) pathology in ALS using iron-sensitive MR imaging. Methods Signal intensity and magnetic susceptibility of the primary motor cortex (M1), which are associated with clinical UMN burden and neuroinflammation, were assessed in 78 ALS patients using respectively T2*-weighted images and Quantitative Susceptibility Maps. The signal intensity of the whole M1 and each of its functional regions was rated as normal or reduced, and the magnetic susceptibility of each M1 region was measured. Results The highest frequencies of T2* hypointensity were found in M1 regions associated with the body sites of symptom onset. Homologous M1 regions were both hypointense in 80–93 % of patients with cortical abnormalities, and magnetic susceptibility values measured in homologous M1 regions were strongly correlated with each other (ρ = 0.88; p < 0.0001). In some cases, the T2* hypointensity was detectable in two non-contiguous M1 regions but spared the cortex in between. Conclusions M1 regions associated with the body site of onset are frequently affected at imaging. The simultaneous involvement of both homologous M1 regions is frequent, followed by that of adjacent regions; the affection of non-contiguous regions, instead, seems rare. This type of cortical involvement suggests the interhemispheric connections as one of the preferential paths for the UMN pathology diffusion in ALS.
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6
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Zago S, Lorusso L, Aiello EN, Ugolini M, Poletti B, Ticozzi N, Silani V. Cognitive and behavioral involvement in ALS has been known for more than a century. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:6741-6760. [PMID: 36053340 PMCID: PMC9663353 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06340-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among clinicians and researchers, it is common knowledge that, in ALS, cognitive and behavioral involvement within the spectrum of frontotemporal degenerations (FTDs) begun to be regarded as a fact in the late 1990s of the twentieth century. By contrast, a considerable body of evidence on cognitive/behavioral changes in ALS can be traced in the literature dating from the late nineteenth century. METHODS Worldwide reports on cognitive/behavioral involvement in ALS dating from 1886 to 1981 were retrieved thanks to Biblioteca di Area Medica "Adolfo Ferrate," Sistema Bibliotecario di Ateneo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy and qualitatively synthetized. RESULTS One-hundred and seventy-four cases of ALS with co-occurring FTD-like cognitive/behavioral changes, described in Europe, America, and Asia, were detected. Neuropsychological phenotypes were consistent with the revised Strong et al.'s consensus criteria. Clinical observations were not infrequently supported by histopathological, post-mortem verifications of extra-motor, cortical/sub-cortical alterations, as well as by in vivo instrumental exams-i.e., assessments of brain morphology/physiology and psychometric testing. In this regard, as earlier as 1907, the notion of motor and cognitive/behavioral features in ALS yielding from the same underlying pathology was acknowledged. Hereditary occurrences of ALS with cognitive/behavioral dysfunctions were reported, as well as familial associations with ALS-unrelated brain disorders. Neuropsychological symptoms often occurred before motor ones. Bulbar involvement was at times acknowledged as a risk factor for cognitive/behavioral changes in ALS. DISCUSSION Historical observations herewith delivered can be regarded as the antecedents of current knowledge on cognitive/behavioral impairment in the ALS-FTD spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Zago
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822U.O.C. Neurologia, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Lorusso
- U.O.C., Neurologia & Stroke Unit, A.S.S.T. Lecco, Merate, LC Italy
| | - Edoardo N. Aiello
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754PhD Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy ,grid.418224.90000 0004 1757 9530IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| | - Martino Ugolini
- grid.9851.50000 0001 2165 4204Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Poletti
- grid.418224.90000 0004 1757 9530IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- grid.418224.90000 0004 1757 9530IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari Center”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- grid.418224.90000 0004 1757 9530IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari Center”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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7
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Ishaque A, Ta D, Khan M, Zinman L, Korngut L, Genge A, Dionne A, Briemberg H, Luk C, Yang YH, Beaulieu C, Emery D, Eurich DT, Frayne R, Graham S, Wilman A, Dupré N, Kalra S. Distinct patterns of progressive gray and white matter degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 43:1519-1534. [PMID: 34908212 PMCID: PMC8886653 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive cerebral degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains poorly understood. Here, three-dimensional (3D) texture analysis was used to study longitudinal gray and white matter cerebral degeneration in ALS from routine T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Participants were included from the Canadian ALS Neuroimaging Consortium (CALSNIC) who underwent up to three clinical assessments and MRI at four-month intervals, up to 8 months after baseline (T0 ). Three-dimensional maps of the texture feature autocorrelation were computed from T1-weighted images. One hundred and nineteen controls and 137 ALS patients were included, with 81 controls and 84 ALS patients returning for at least one follow-up. At baseline, texture changes in ALS patients were detected in the motor cortex, corticospinal tract, insular cortex, and bilateral frontal and temporal white matter compared to controls. Longitudinal comparison of texture maps between T0 and Tmax (last follow-up visit) within ALS patients showed progressive texture alterations in the temporal white matter, insula, and internal capsule. Additionally, when compared to controls, ALS patients had greater texture changes in the frontal and temporal structures at Tmax than at T0 . In subgroup analysis, slow progressing ALS patients had greater progressive texture change in the internal capsule than the fast progressing patients. Contrastingly, fast progressing patients had greater progressive texture changes in the precentral gyrus. These findings suggest that the characteristic longitudinal gray matter pathology in ALS is the progressive involvement of frontotemporal regions rather than a worsening pathology within the motor cortex, and that phenotypic variability is associated with distinct progressive spatial pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Ishaque
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Daniel Ta
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Muhammad Khan
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Lorne Zinman
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lawrence Korngut
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Angela Genge
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Canada
| | - Annie Dionne
- Département des Sciences Neurologiques, Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus, CHU de Québec, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Hannah Briemberg
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Collin Luk
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Yee-Hong Yang
- Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton
| | - Christian Beaulieu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Derek Emery
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Dean T Eurich
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Richard Frayne
- Department of Radiology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Seaman Family MR Research Centre, Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
| | - Simon Graham
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Alan Wilman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Nicolas Dupré
- Neuroscience Axis, CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Sanjay Kalra
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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8
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Chen HJ, Zhan C, Cai LM, Lin JH, Zhou MX, Zou ZY, Yao XF, Lin YJ. White matter microstructural impairments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A mean apparent propagator MRI study. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2021; 32:102863. [PMID: 34700102 PMCID: PMC8551695 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background White matter (WM) impairment is a hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study evaluated the capacity of mean apparent propagator magnetic resonance imaging (MAP-MRI) for detecting ALS-related WM alterations. Methods Diffusion images were obtained from 52 ALS patients and 51 controls. MAP-derived indices [return-to-origin/-axis/-plane probability (RTOP/RTAP/RTPP) and non-Gaussianity (NG)/perpendicular/parallel NG (NG⊥/NG||)] were computed. Measures from diffusion tensor/kurtosis imaging (DTI/DKI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) were also obtained. Voxel-wise analysis (VBA) was performed to determine differences in these parameters. Relationship between MAP parameters and disease severity (assessed by the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R)) was evaluated by Pearson’s correlation analysis in a voxel-wise way. ALS patients were further divided into two subgroups: 29 with limb-only involvement and 23 with both bulbar and limb involvement. Subgroup analysis was then conducted to investigate diffusion parameter differences related to bulbar impairment. Results The VBA (with threshold of P < 0.05 after family-wise error correction (FWE)) showed that ALS patients had significantly decreased RTOP/RTAP/RTPP and NG/ NG⊥/NG|| in a set of WM areas, including the bilateral precentral gyrus, corona radiata, posterior limb of internal capsule, midbrain, middle corpus callosum, anterior corpus callosum, parahippocampal gyrus, and medulla. MAP-MRI had the capacity to capture WM damage in ALS, which was higher than DTI and similar to DKI/NODDI. RTOP/RTAP/NG/NG⊥/NG|| parameters, especially in the bilateral posterior limb of internal capsule and middle corpus callosum, were significantly correlated with ALSFRS-R (with threshold of FWE-corrected P < 0.05). The VBA (with FWE-corrected P < 0.05) revealed the significant RTAP reduction in subgroup with both bulbar and limb involvement, compared with those with limb-only involvement. Conclusions Microstructural impairments in corticospinal tract and corpus callosum represent the consistent characteristic of ALS. MAP-MRI could provide alternative measures depicting ALS-related WM alterations, complementary to the common diffusion imaging methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Jun Chen
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
| | - Chuanyin Zhan
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Li-Min Cai
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Jia-Hui Lin
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Min-Xiong Zhou
- College of Medical Imaging, Shang Hai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
| | - Zhang-Yu Zou
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Xu-Feng Yao
- College of Medical Imaging, Shang Hai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
| | - Yan-Juan Lin
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Department of Nursing, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
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9
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Ogura A, Kawabata K, Watanabe H, Choy SW, Bagarinao E, Kato T, Imai K, Masuda M, Ohdake R, Hara K, Nakamura R, Atsuta N, Nakamura T, Katsuno M, Sobue G. Fiber-specific white matter analysis reflects upper motor neuron impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2021; 29:432-440. [PMID: 34632672 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To clarify the relationship between fiber-specific white matter changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and clinical signs of upper motor neuron (UMN) involvement, we performed a fixel-based analysis (FBA), a novel framework for diffusion-weighted imaging analysis. METHODS We enrolled 96 participants, including 48 nonfamilial ALS patients and 48 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs), in this study and conducted whole-brain FBA and voxel-based morphometry analysis. We compared the fiber density (FD), fiber morphology (fiber cross-section [FC]), and a combined index of FD and FC (FDC) between the ALS and HC groups. We performed a tract-of-interest analysis to extract FD values across the significant regions in the whole-brain analysis. Then, we evaluated the associations between FD values and clinical variables. RESULTS The bilateral corticospinal tracts (CSTs) and the corpus callosum (CC) showed reduced FD and FDC in ALS patients compared with HCs (p < 0.05, familywise error-corrected), and the comparison of FCs revealed no region that was significantly different from another. Voxel-based morphometry showed cortical volume reduction in the regions, including the primary motor area. Clinical scores showed correlations with FD values in the CSTs (UMN score: rho = -0.530, p < 0.001; central motor conduction time [CMCT] in the upper limb: rho = -0.474, p = 0.008; disease duration: rho = -0.383, p = 0.007; ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised: rho = 0.340, p = 0.018). In addition, patients whose CMCT was not calculated due to unevoked waves also showed FD reduction in the CSTs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that FD values in the CST estimated via FBA can be potentially used in evaluating UMN impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Ogura
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kawabata
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Watanabe
- Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Shao Wei Choy
- Center for Intelligent Signal and Imaging Research, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar, Malaysia
| | - Epifanio Bagarinao
- Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toshiyasu Kato
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazunori Imai
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Michihito Masuda
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Reiko Ohdake
- Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Hara
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Nakamura
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naoki Atsuta
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Nakamura
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Gen Sobue
- Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.,Research Division of Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan
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10
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Corticospinal Tract and Related Grey Matter Morphometric Shape Analysis in ALS Phenotypes: A Fractal Dimension Study. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11030371. [PMID: 33799358 PMCID: PMC8001972 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is corticospinal tract (CST) degeneration resulting in upper motor neuron (UMN) dysfunction. No quantitative test is available to easily assess UMN pathways. Brain neuroimaging in ALS promises to potentially change this through identifying biomarkers of UMN dysfunction that may accelerate diagnosis and track disease progression. Fractal dimension (FD) has successfully been used to quantify brain grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) shape complexity in various neurological disorders. Therefore, we investigated CST and whole brain GM and WM morphometric changes using FD analyses in ALS patients with different phenotypes. We hypothesized that FD would detect differences between ALS patients and neurologic controls and even between the ALS subgroups. Neuroimaging was performed in neurologic controls (n = 14), and ALS patients (n = 75). ALS patients were assigned into four groups based on their clinical or radiographic phenotypes. FD values were estimated for brain WM and GM structures. Patients with ALS and frontotemporal dementia (ALS-FTD) showed significantly higher CST FD values and lower primary motor and sensory cortex GM FD values compared to other ALS groups. No other group of ALS patients revealed significant FD value changes when compared to neurologic controls or with other ALS patient groups. These findings support a more severe disease process in ALS-FTD patients compared to other ALS patient groups. FD value measures may be a sensitive index to evaluate GM and WM (including CST) degeneration in ALS patients.
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11
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Distaso E, Milella G, Mezzapesa DM, Introna A, D'Errico E, Fraddosio A, Zoccolella S, Dicuonzo F, Simone IL. Magnetic resonance metrics to evaluate the effect of therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: the experience with edaravone. J Neurol 2021; 268:3307-3315. [PMID: 33655342 PMCID: PMC8357666 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10495-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Edaravone was approved as a new treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), although there are different opinions on its effectiveness. Magnetic resonance (MRI) measures appear promising as diagnostic and prognostic indicators of disease. However, published studies on MRI using to monitor treatment efficacy in ALS are lacking. PURPOSE The objective of this study was to investigate changes in brain MRI measures in patients treated with edaravone. METHODS Thirteen ALS patients assuming edaravone (ALS-EDA) underwent MRI at baseline (T0) and after 6 months (T6) to measure cortical thickness (CT) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of white matter (WM) tracts. MRI data of ALS-EDA were compared at T0 with those of 12 control subjects (CS), and at T6 with those of 11 ALS patients assuming only riluzole (ALS-RIL), extracted from our ALS cohort using a propensity-score-matching. A longitudinal MRI analysis was performed in ALS-EDA between T6 and T0. RESULTS At T0, ALS-EDA showed a cortical widespread thinning in both hemispheres, particularly in the bilateral precentral gyrus, and a reduction of FA in bilateral corticospinal tracts, in comparison to CS. Thinning in bilateral precentral cortex and significant widespread reduction of FA in several WM tracts were observed in ALS-EDA at T6 compared to T0. At T6, no significant differences in MRI measures of ALS-EDA versus ALS-RIL were found. CONCLUSIONS Patients treated with edaravone showed progression of damage in the motor cortex and several WM tracts, at a six-month follow-up. Moreover, this study showed no evidence of a difference between edaravone and riluzole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Distaso
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Giammarco Milella
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Maria Mezzapesa
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Introna
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Eustachio D'Errico
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Fraddosio
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Franca Dicuonzo
- Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100, Bari, Italy
| | - Isabella Laura Simone
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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12
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Detection of White Matter Ultrastructural Changes for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Characterization: A Diagnostic Study from Dti-Derived Data. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10120996. [PMID: 33339434 PMCID: PMC7766961 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows investigation at the microstructural level, employing techniques able to reveal white matter changes. In the current study, a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis, with a collection of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) indexes, was performed in ALS patients to correlate geno- and phenotype features with MRI data, to investigate an in-vivo correlation of different neuropathological patterns. All patients who underwent the MR-DTI analysis were retrospectively recruited. MRI scan was collected within three months from diagnosis. FA and ADC values were collected in corpus callosum (CC), corona radiata (CR), cerebral peduncle (CR), cerebellar peduncle (CbP) and corticospinal tract at posterior limb of internal capsule (CST). DTI analysis performed in the whole ALS cohort revealed significant FA reduction and ADC increase in all selected regions, as widespread changes. Moreover, we observed a higher value of FA in rCR in bulbar patients. A positive correlation between ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised and FA in rCP was evident. In consideration of the non-invasiveness, the reliability and the easy reproducibility of the method, we believe that brain MRI with DTI analyses may represent a valid tool usable as a diagnostic marker in ALS.
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13
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Cheng L, Tang X, Luo C, Liu D, Zhang Y, Zhang J. Fiber-specific white matter reductions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 28:102516. [PMID: 33396003 PMCID: PMC7724379 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of both upper and lower motor neurons. Studies using metrics derived from the diffusion tensor model have documented decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity in the corticospinal tract (CST) and the corpus callosum (CC) in ALS. These studies, however, only focused on microstructural white matter (WM) changes, while the macrostructural alterations of WM tracts in ALS remain unknown. Moreover, studies conducted based on the diffusion tensor model cannot provide information related to specific fiber bundles and fail to clarify which biological characteristics are changing. Using a novel fixel-based analytical method that can characterize the fiber density (FD) and the fiber-bundle cross-section (FC), this study investigated both microstructural and macrostructural changes in the WM in a large cohort of patients with ALS (N = 60) compared with demographically matched healthy controls (N = 60). Compared with healthy controls, we found decreased FD, FC and fiber density and cross-section (FDC, a combined measure of the FD and FC) values in the bilateral CST and the middle posterior body of the CC in patients with ALS, suggesting not only microstructural but also macrostructural abnormalities in these fiber bundles. Additionally, we found that the mean FD and FDC values in the bilateral CST were positively correlated with the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale, indicating that these two indices may serve as potential markers for assessing the clinical severity of ALS. Thus, these findings provide initial evidence for the existence of microstructural and macrostructural abnormalities of the fiber bundles in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luqi Cheng
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Xie Tang
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China
| | - Chunxia Luo
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400308, PR China
| | - Daihong Liu
- Department of Radiology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, PR China
| | - Yuanchao Zhang
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, PR China.
| | - Jiuquan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, PR China.
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14
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Bede P, Chipika RH. Commissural fiber degeneration in motor neuron diseases. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 21:321-323. [PMID: 32290711 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1752253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bede
- Computational Neuroimaging Group (CNG), Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rangariroyashe H Chipika
- Computational Neuroimaging Group (CNG), Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
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15
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Swash M, Burke D, Turner MR, Grosskreutz J, Leigh PN, deCarvalho M, Kiernan MC. Occasional essay: Upper motor neuron syndrome in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:227-234. [PMID: 32054724 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2019-321938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Swash
- Barts and the London School of Medicine, QMUL, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Univeridade de Lisboa, London, UK
| | - David Burke
- University of Sydney and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - P Nigel Leigh
- Trafford Centre for Biomedical Research, Department of Neuroscience, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Mamede deCarvalho
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Univeridade de Lisboa, and Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- University of Sydney and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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16
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Tu S, Wang C, Menke RAL, Talbot K, Barnett M, Kiernan MC, Turner MR. Regional callosal integrity and bilaterality of limb weakness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 21:396-402. [PMID: 32106716 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1733020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The corpus callosum is a site of pathological involvement in the neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The corpus callosum shows widespread cortical connectivity topographically distributed along its length. Initial limb weakness in ALS is typically unilateral, becoming bilateral with disease progression. The precise anatomical substrate for this spread is uncertain. The present study investigated sub-regional variations in corpus callosum integrity in ALS, and whether these reflect a relationship with the development of unilateral or bilateral limb weakness. Methods: Sporadic ALS patients were categorized into unilateral (n = 14) or bilateral (n = 25) limb weakness at the time of assessment and underwent diffusion tensor imaging. Probabilistic bundle-specific tracking was carried out using MRtrix and TractSeg to parcellate the corpus callosum into seven anatomical segments (rostrum; genu; rostral body; anterior midbody; posterior midbody; isthmus; splenium). White matter tract integrity was assessed in all segments and compared with MRI data acquired from 25 healthy controls. Results: In the combined patient group, the most prominent differences in diffusivity metrics were in the rostral body, posterior midbody and isthmus of the corpus callosum (p < 0.04). Loss of corpus callosum integrity was most prominent in the sub-group with unilateral limb weakness at the time of scanning (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Corpus callosum involvement in ALS is detectable across multiple segments, in keeping with a widespread cortical distribution of pathology. The association of unilateral limb weakness with greater loss of corpus callosum integrity informs connectivity-based hypotheses of symptom propagation in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicong Tu
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chenyu Wang
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ricarda A L Menke
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael Barnett
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Martin R Turner
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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17
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Du XQ, Zou TX, Huang NX, Zou ZY, Xue YJ, Chen HJ. Brain white matter abnormalities and correlation with severity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: An atlas-based diffusion tensor imaging study. J Neurol Sci 2019; 405:116438. [PMID: 31484082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.116438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess microstructural alterations in white matter (WM) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). METHODS DTI data were collected from 34 subjects (18 patients with ALS and 16 healthy controls). The atlas-based region of interest (ROI) analysis was conducted to assess WM microstructure in ALS by combining intra-voxel metrics, which included fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), and an inter-voxel metric, i.e., local diffusion homogeneity (LDH). Correlation analysis of diffusion values and clinical factors was also performed. RESULTS ALS group showed a significant FA reduction in bilateral corticospinal tract (CST) as well as right uncinate fasciculus (RUF). The areas with higher MD were situated in right corticospinal tract (RCST), left cingulum hippocampus (LCH), RUF, and right superior longitudinal fasciculus (RSLF). Additionally, ALS patients showed decreased LDH in bilateral anterior thalamic radiation (ATR), bilateral CST and left inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus (LIFOF). Significant correlations were observed between ALSFRS-R (revised ALS Functional Rating Scale) scores or progression rate and FA in bilateral CST, as well as between disease duration and LDH in right CST. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed the feasibility of employing diffusion metrics along the CST to distinguish two groups (AUC = 0.792-0.868, p < .005 for all). CONCLUSIONS WM microstructural alteration is a common pathology in ALS, which can be detected by both intra- and inter-voxel diffusion metrics. The extent of abnormalities in several WM tracts such as ATR and LIFOF may be better assessed through the inter-voxel diffusion measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qiang Du
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Tian-Xiu Zou
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Nao-Xin Huang
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Zhang-Yu Zou
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
| | - Yun-Jing Xue
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
| | - Hua-Jun Chen
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
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18
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Marini C, Morbelli S, Cistaro A, Campi C, Caponnetto C, Bauckneht M, Bellini A, Buschiazzo A, Calamia I, Beltrametti MC, Margotti S, Fania P, Poggi I, Cabona C, Capitanio S, Piva R, Calvo A, Moglia C, Canosa A, Massone A, Nobili F, Mancardi G, Chiò A, Piana M, Sambuceti G. Interplay between spinal cord and cerebral cortex metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2019; 141:2272-2279. [PMID: 30730551 PMCID: PMC6061793 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently reported the potential of Hough transform in delineating spinal cord metabolism by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT scanning in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The present study aimed to verify the relationship between spinal cord and brain metabolism in 44 prospectively recruited patients affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis submitted to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose brain and whole-body PET/CT. Patients were studied to highlight the presence of brain hypo- or hypermetabolism with respect to healthy controls, and multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between spinal cord and brain metabolism. Our results confirmed higher 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in both cervical and dorsal spinal cord in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with respect to controls. This finding was paralleled by the opposite pattern in the brain cortex that showed a generalized reduction in tracer uptake. This hypometabolism was particularly evident in wide regions of the frontal-dorsolateral cortex while it did not involve the midbrain. Bulbar and spinal disease onset was associated with similar degree of metabolic activation in the spinal cord. However, among spinal onset patients, upper limb presentation was associated with a more pronounced metabolic activation of cervical segment. Obtained data suggest a differential neuro-pathological state or temporal sequence in disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Marini
- CNR Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), Milan, 20019, Italy.,Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Silvia Morbelli
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy.,Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Angelina Cistaro
- Positron Emission Tomography Centre IRMET S.p.A., Affidea, Turin, 10120, Italy
| | - Cristina Campi
- Department of Medicine-DIMED, Padova University Hospital, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Claudia Caponnetto
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy.,DINOGMI University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Matteo Bauckneht
- Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | | | - Ambra Buschiazzo
- Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Iolanda Calamia
- Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | | | - Simone Margotti
- Positron Emission Tomography Centre IRMET S.p.A., Affidea, Turin, 10120, Italy
| | - Piercarlo Fania
- Positron Emission Tomography Centre IRMET S.p.A., Affidea, Turin, 10120, Italy
| | - Ilaria Poggi
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy.,DINOGMI University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Corrado Cabona
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy.,DINOGMI University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Selene Capitanio
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Roberta Piva
- Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- ALS Center, Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, 10120, Italy.,AUO Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, 10120, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- ALS Center, Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, 10120, Italy.,AUO Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, 10120, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- ALS Center, Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, 10120, Italy.,AUO Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, 10120, Italy
| | | | - Flavio Nobili
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy.,DINOGMI University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Mancardi
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy.,DINOGMI University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Center, Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, 10120, Italy.,AUO Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, 10120, Italy
| | - Michele Piana
- Department of Mathematics (DIMA), University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy.,SPIN Institute, CNR, Genoa, 16132, Italy
| | - Gianmario Sambuceti
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, 16132, Italy.,Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Genoa, 16132, Italy
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19
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Grapperon AM, Ridley B, Verschueren A, Maarouf A, Confort-Gouny S, Fortanier E, Schad L, Guye M, Ranjeva JP, Attarian S, Zaaraoui W. Quantitative Brain Sodium MRI Depicts Corticospinal Impairment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Radiology 2019; 292:422-428. [PMID: 31184559 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2019182276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that mainly affects the upper and lower motor neurons. Recent sodium (23Na) MRI studies have shown that abnormal sodium concentration is related to neuronal suffering in neurodegenerative conditions. Purpose To use 23Na MRI to investigate abnormal sodium concentrations and map their distribution in the brains of study participants with ALS as compared with healthy control subjects. Materials and Methods Twenty-seven participants with ALS (mean age, 54 years ± 10 [standard deviation], eight women) and 30 healthy control subjects (mean age, 50 years ± 10; 16 women) were prospectively recruited between September 2015 and October 2017 and were examined by using conventional proton MRI and sodium MRI at 3 T. Voxel-based statistical mapping was used to compare quantitative whole-brain total sodium concentration (TSC) maps in participants with ALS with those in control subjects and to localize regions of abnormal elevated TSC. Potential overlap of abnormal elevated TSC with regions of atrophy as detected with 1H MRI also was investigated. Results Voxel-based statistical mapping analyses revealed higher sodium concentration in motor regions (bilateral precentral gyri, corticospinal tracts, and the corpus callosum) of participants with ALS (two-sample t test, P < .005; age and sex as covariates). In these regions, mean TSC was higher in participants with ALS (mean, 45.6 mmol/L wet tissue ± 3.2) than in control subjects (mean, 41.8 mmol/L wet tissue ± 2.7; P < .001; Cohen d = 1.28). Brain regions showing higher TSC represented a volume of 15.4 cm3 that did not overlap with gray matter atrophy occupying a volume of 16.9 cm3. Elevated TSC correlated moderately with corticospinal conduction failure assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation in the right upper limb (Spearman ρ = -0.57; 95% confidence interval: -0.78, -0.16; P = .005; n = 23). Conclusion Quantitative 23Na MRI is sensitive to alterations of brain sodium homeostasis within disease-relevant regions in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This supports further investigation of abnormal sodium concentration as a potential marker of neurodegenerative processes in patients with ALS that could be used as a secondary endpoint in clinical trials. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude-Marie Grapperon
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
| | - Ben Ridley
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
| | - Annie Verschueren
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
| | - Adil Maarouf
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
| | - Sylviane Confort-Gouny
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
| | - Etienne Fortanier
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
| | - Lothar Schad
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
| | - Maxime Guye
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
| | - Jean-Philippe Ranjeva
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
| | - Shahram Attarian
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
| | - Wafaa Zaaraoui
- From the Aix Marseille University, CRMBM, UMR CNRS 7339, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France (A.M.G., B.R., A.V., A.M., S.C., E.F., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, Referral Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, Marseille, France (A.M.G., A.V., E.F., S.A.); APHM, Hôpital de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France (B.R., A.M., S.C., M.G., J.P.R., W.Z.); Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (L.S.); and Aix Marseille University, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France (S.A.)
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20
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Cognitive and White-Matter Compartment Models Reveal Selective Relations between Corticospinal Tract Microstructure and Simple Reaction Time. J Neurosci 2019; 39:5910-5921. [PMID: 31123103 PMCID: PMC6650993 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2954-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The speed of motor reaction to an external stimulus varies substantially between individuals and is slowed in aging. However, the neuroanatomical origins of interindividual variability in reaction time (RT) remain unclear. Here, we combined a cognitive model of RT and a biophysical compartment model of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) to characterize the relationship between RT and microstructure of the corticospinal tract (CST) and the optic radiation (OR), the primary motor output and visual input pathways associated with visual-motor responses. We fitted an accumulator model of RT to 46 female human participants' behavioral performance in a simple reaction time task. The non-decision time parameter (T er) derived from the model was used to account for the latencies of stimulus encoding and action initiation. From multi-shell DWI data, we quantified tissue microstructure of the CST and OR with the neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) model as well as the conventional diffusion tensor imaging model. Using novel skeletonization and segmentation approaches, we showed that DWI-based microstructure metrics varied substantially along CST and OR. The T er of individual participants was negatively correlated with the NODDI measure of the neurite density in the bilateral superior CST. Further, we found no significant correlation between the microstructural measures and mean RT. Thus, our findings suggest a link between interindividual differences in sensorimotor speed and selective microstructural properties in white-matter tracts.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT How does our brain structure contribute to our speed to react? Here, we provided anatomically specific evidence that interindividual differences in response speed is associated with white-matter microstructure. Using a cognitive model of reaction time (RT), we estimated the non-decision time, as an index of the latencies of stimulus encoding and action initiation, during a simple reaction time task. Using an advanced microstructural model for diffusion MRI, we estimated the tissue properties and their variations along the corticospinal tract and optic radiation. We found significant location-specific correlations between the microstructural measures and the model-derived parameter of non-decision time but not mean RT. These results highlight the neuroanatomical signature of interindividual variability in response speed along the sensorimotor pathways.
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21
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Broad RJ, Gabel MC, Dowell NG, Schwartzman DJ, Seth AK, Zhang H, Alexander DC, Cercignani M, Leigh PN. Neurite orientation and dispersion density imaging (NODDI) detects cortical and corticospinal tract degeneration in ALS. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2019; 90:404-411. [PMID: 30361295 PMCID: PMC6581155 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2018-318830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corticospinal tract (CST) degeneration and cortical atrophy are consistent features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We hypothesised that neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), a multicompartment model of diffusion MRI, would reveal microstructural changes associated with ALS within the CST and precentral gyrus (PCG) 'in vivo'. METHODS 23 participants with sporadic ALS and 23 healthy controls underwent diffusion MRI. Neurite density index (NDI), orientation dispersion index (ODI) and free water fraction (isotropic compartment (ISO)) were derived. Whole brain voxel-wise analysis was performed to assess for group differences. Standard diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters were computed for comparison. Subgroup analysis was performed to investigate for NODDI parameter differences relating to bulbar involvement. Correlation of NODDI parameters with clinical variables were also explored. The results were accepted as significant where p<0.05 after family-wise error correction at the cluster level, clusters formed with p<0.001. RESULTS In the ALS group NDI was reduced in the extensive regions of the CST, the corpus callosum and the right PCG. ODI was reduced in the right anterior internal capsule and the right PCG. Significant differences in NDI were detected between subgroups stratified according to the presence or absence of bulbar involvement. ODI and ISO correlated with disease duration. CONCLUSIONS NODDI demonstrates that axonal loss within the CST is a core feature of degeneration in ALS. This is the main factor contributing to the altered diffusivity profile detected using DTI. NODDI also identified dendritic alterations within the PCG, suggesting microstructural cortical dendritic changes occur together with CST axonal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Broad
- Department of Neuroscience, Trafford Centre for Biomedical Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK .,Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, UK
| | - Matt C Gabel
- Department of Neuroscience, Trafford Centre for Biomedical Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Nicholas G Dowell
- Department of Neuroscience, Trafford Centre for Biomedical Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Anil K Seth
- Sackler Centre Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Hui Zhang
- Centre for Medical Image Computing and Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel C Alexander
- Centre for Medical Image Computing and Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mara Cercignani
- Department of Neuroscience, Trafford Centre for Biomedical Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK.,Neuroimaging Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - P Nigel Leigh
- Department of Neuroscience, Trafford Centre for Biomedical Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK.,Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, UK
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22
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Basaia S, Filippi M, Spinelli EG, Agosta F. White Matter Microstructure Breakdown in the Motor Neuron Disease Spectrum: Recent Advances Using Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Front Neurol 2019; 10:193. [PMID: 30891004 PMCID: PMC6413536 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron disease (MND) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the breakdown of the motor system. The clinical spectrum of MND encompasses different phenotypes classified according to the relative involvement of the upper or lower motor neurons (LMN) and the presence of genetic or cognitive alterations, with clear prognostic implications. However, the pathophysiological differences of these phenotypes remain largely unknown. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been recognized as a helpful in-vivo MND biomarker. An increasing number of studies is applying advanced neuroimaging techniques in order to elucidate the pathophysiological processes and to identify quantitative outcomes to be used in clinical trials. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a non-invasive method to detect white matter alterations involving the upper motor neuron and extra-motor white matter tracts. According to this background, the aim of this review is to highlight the key role of MRI and especially DTI, summarizing cross-sectional and longitudinal results of different approaches applied in MND. Current literature suggests that DTI is a promising tool in order to define anatomical “signatures” of the different phenotypes of MND and to track in vivo the progressive spread of pathological proteins aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Basaia
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo G Spinelli
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Agosta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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23
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Finegan E, Chipika RH, Shing SLH, Hardiman O, Bede P. Primary lateral sclerosis: a distinct entity or part of the ALS spectrum? Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 20:133-145. [PMID: 30654671 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1550518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) has been traditionally viewed as a distinct upper motor neuron condition (UMN) but is increasingly regarded as a sub-phenotype within the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spectrum. Despite established diagnostic criteria, formal diagnosis can be challenging and the protracted diagnostic journey and uncertainty about longer-term prognosis cause considerable distress to patients and caregivers. PLS patients are invariably excluded from ALS clinical trials, while PLS pharmacological trials are lacking. There remains an unmet need for diagnostic biomarkers for upper motor neuron predominant conditions and prognostic indicators regarding prognosis, survival, and risk of conversion to ALS. Validated biomarkers will not only have implications for individualized patient care but also serve as outcome measures in pharmaceutical trials. Given the paucity of post-mortem studies in PLS, novel pathological insights are generally inferred from state-of-the-art imaging studies. Computational neuroimaging has already contributed significantly to the characterization of PLS-associated pathology in vivo and has underscored the role of neuro-inflammation, the presence of extra-motor changes, and confirmed pathological patterns similar to ALS. This systematic review assesses the current state of PLS research across clinical, neuroimaging and neuropathological domains from a combined clinical and academic perspective. We discuss patterns of pathological overlap with other ALS phenotypes, examine if the biological processes of PLS warrant therapeutic strategies distinct from ALS, and evaluate the evidence that classes PLS as a distinct clinico-pathological entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoin Finegan
- a Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Rangariroyashe H Chipika
- a Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Stacey Li Hi Shing
- a Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- a Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Peter Bede
- a Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , Dublin , Ireland
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24
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Barritt AW, Gabel MC, Cercignani M, Leigh PN. Emerging Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques and Analysis Methods in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2018; 9:1065. [PMID: 30564192 PMCID: PMC6288229 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.01065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective markers of disease sensitive to the clinical activity, symptomatic progression, and underlying substrates of neurodegeneration are highly coveted in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in order to more eloquently stratify the highly heterogeneous phenotype and facilitate the discovery of effective disease modifying treatments for patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising, non-invasive biomarker candidate whose acquisition techniques and analysis methods are undergoing constant evolution in the pursuit of parameters which more closely represent biologically-applicable tissue changes. Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI; a form of diffusion imaging), and quantitative Magnetization Transfer Imaging (qMTi) are two such emerging modalities which have each broadened the understanding of other neurological disorders and have the potential to provide new insights into structural alterations initiated by the disease process in ALS. Furthermore, novel neuroimaging data analysis approaches such as Event-Based Modeling (EBM) may be able to circumvent the requirement for longitudinal scanning as a means to comprehend the dynamic stages of neurodegeneration in vivo. Combining these and other innovative imaging protocols with more sophisticated techniques to analyse ever-increasing datasets holds the exciting prospect of transforming understanding of the biological processes and temporal evolution of the ALS syndrome, and can only benefit from multicentre collaboration across the entire ALS research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Barritt
- Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, United Kingdom.,Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre Haywards Heath, West Sussex, United Kingdom
| | - Matt C Gabel
- Department of Neuroscience, Trafford Centre for Biomedical Research Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, United Kingdom
| | - Mara Cercignani
- Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, United Kingdom
| | - P Nigel Leigh
- Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre Haywards Heath, West Sussex, United Kingdom.,Department of Neuroscience, Trafford Centre for Biomedical Research Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, United Kingdom
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25
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Tu S, Menke RAL, Talbot K, Kiernan MC, Turner MR. Regional thalamic MRI as a marker of widespread cortical pathology and progressive frontotemporal involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2018; 89:1250-1258. [PMID: 30049750 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2018-318625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The thalamus is a major neural hub, with selective connections to virtually all cortical regions of the brain. The multisystem neurodegenerative syndrome amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has pathogenic overlap with frontotemporal dementia, and objective in vivo markers of extra-motor pathological spread are lacking. To better consider the role of the thalamus in neurodegeneration, the present study assessed the integrity of the thalamus and its connectivity to major cortical regions of the brain in a longitudinal manner. METHODS Diffusion-based MRI tractography was used to parcellate the thalamus into distinct regions based on structural thalamo-cortical connectivity in 20 patients with ALS, half of whom were scanned at two time points, and 31 matched controls scanned on a single occasion. RESULTS At baseline, widespread diffusivity alterations in motor- and extramotor-associated thalamic parcellations were detectable. Longitudinal decline selectively affected thalamic regions associated with frontal and temporal lobe connectivity. Diffusivity measures were significantly correlated with clinical measures of disease burden. Progression of functional disability, as indicated by change on the ALS functional rating scale, was associated with longitudinal change in mean diffusivity of the right frontal lobe thalamic parcellation (r=0.59, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS Regional thalamic connectivity changes mirror the progressive frontotemporal cortical involvement associated with the motor functional decline in ALS. Longitudinal MRI thalamic parcellation has potential as a non-invasive surrogate marker of cortical dysfunction in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicong Tu
- Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia .,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ricarda A L Menke
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Martin R Turner
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK .,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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26
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Mazón M, Vázquez Costa JF, Ten-Esteve A, Martí-Bonmatí L. Imaging Biomarkers for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases. The Example of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:784. [PMID: 30410433 PMCID: PMC6209630 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The term amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) comprises a heterogeneous group of fatal neurodegenerative disorders of largely unknown etiology characterized by the upper motor neurons (UMN) and/or lower motor neurons (LMN) degeneration. The development of brain imaging biomarkers is essential to advance in the diagnosis, stratification and monitoring of ALS, both in the clinical practice and clinical trials. In this review, the characteristics of an optimal imaging biomarker and common pitfalls in biomarkers evaluation will be discussed. Moreover, the development and application of the most promising brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging biomarkers will be reviewed. Finally, the integration of both qualitative and quantitative multimodal brain MR biomarkers in a structured report will be proposed as a support tool for ALS diagnosis and stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Mazón
- Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research Group (GIBI230), La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital and La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Francisco Vázquez Costa
- Neuromuscular Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria la Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
- ALS Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, Spain
| | - Amadeo Ten-Esteve
- Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research Group (GIBI230), La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital and La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Luis Martí-Bonmatí
- Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research Group (GIBI230), La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital and La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
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27
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Bao Y, Yang L, Chen Y, Zhang B, Li H, Tang W, Geng D, Li Y. Radial diffusivity as an imaging biomarker for early diagnosis of non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur Radiol 2018; 28:4940-4948. [PMID: 29948064 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-018-5506-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the sensitivity of potential DTI-based biomarkers in detecting microstructural changes for whole-brain white matter in early stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), analyze the relationship between the DTI indices and disease status, and further clarify potential brain regions for disease monitoring and clinical assessment. METHODS Thirty-three non-demented ALS patients and 32 age- and gender-matched subjects participated in this study. DTI data were acquired via 3.0T MRI scanner. Maps of diffusion-related indices including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were obtained. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were used to investigate whole-brain white matter changes of each index. Correlation analyses between both brain-wide and volume-of-interest (VOI)-wide white matter alterations and clinical factors including ALSFRS-R scores, disease duration, and progression rate were performed. RESULTS Compared to healthy subjects, ALS patients showed significantly increased RD, MD and reduced FA, mainly along the corticospinal tract (CST) and the body of corpus callosum (CC). Increases in RD were broader than decreases in FA, in CST of both hemispheres. Meanwhile, involvement of several extra-motor regions was also revealed by RD. Significant positive correlation between ALSFRS-R scores and FA, negative correlation between ALSFRS-R and RD were found in left CST. CONCLUSIONS RD may be the most sensitive biomarker for the detection of early demyelination of white matter. Both RD and FA may serve as objective biomarkers for disease severity assessment. CST may be the most affected brain region in non-demented ALS. KEY POINTS • Changes in RD were broader than those in FA in bilateral CST. • Involvement of extra-motor regions was uncovered by RD. • FA and RD in CST were related to ALSFRS-R scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifang Bao
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.,Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqin Yang
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.,Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Biyun Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiqing Li
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.,Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijun Tang
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.,Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Daoying Geng
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China. .,Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yuxin Li
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China. .,Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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28
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Zhang F, Chen G, He M, Dai J, Shang H, Gong Q, Jia Z. Altered white matter microarchitecture in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A voxel-based meta-analysis of diffusion tensor imaging. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2018; 19:122-129. [PMID: 30035009 PMCID: PMC6051469 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background The results of recent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are inconclusive and controversial. We performed a voxel-based meta-analysis to identify a statistical consensus among published DTI studies of altered white matter (WM) microarchitecture in ALS. Methods A systematic search was conducted for relevant studies that used voxel-wise analyses of WM microarchitecture in patients with ALS. Anisotropic effect size-signed differential mapping (AES-SDM) was applied to analyze fractional anisotropy (FA) differences between ALS patients and healthy controls. Meta-regression analysis was used to explore the effects of clinical characteristics on WM integrity in patients with ALS. Results A total of 14 studies with 16 datasets that included 396 patients and 360 healthy controls were identified. The pooled meta-analysis revealed that patients with ALS exhibited significant FA reductions in two clusters relative to healthy controls. The largest cluster exhibited a peak coordinate in the left corona radiata, extending to the body and splenium of the corpus callosum, left superior longitudinal fasciculus, posterior limb of the internal capsule, right corona radiata, and bilateral cingulate gyrus. The other cluster exhibited decreased FA in the right corticospinal tract that extended to the right cerebral peduncle. The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score was positively correlated with the FA reduction in the left corona radiata. Mean age and illness duration were not linearly correlated with the FA reductions. Conclusions This study provides a thorough profile of WM microarchitecture alterations in patients with ALS and further evidence that the neuronal degeneration is not limited to the corticospinal tract but also includes extra-motor areas, which supports the view that ALS is a multisystem degenerative disorder that involves the white matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guangxiang Chen
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Manxi He
- Department of Psychoradiology, Chengdu Mental Health Center, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Jing Dai
- Department of Psychoradiology, Chengdu Mental Health Center, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Zhiyun Jia
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Crespi C, Dodich A, Cappa SF, Canessa N, Iannaccone S, Corbo M, Lunetta C, Falini A, Cerami C. Multimodal MRI quantification of the common neurostructural bases within the FTD-ALS continuum. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 62:95-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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A combined tract-based spatial statistics and voxel-based morphometry study of the first MRI scan after diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with subgroup analysis. J Neuroradiol 2018; 45:41-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Revised: 12/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Rey NL, Wesson DW, Brundin P. The olfactory bulb as the entry site for prion-like propagation in neurodegenerative diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 109:226-248. [PMID: 28011307 PMCID: PMC5972535 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory deficits are present in numerous neurodegenerative disorders and are accompanied by pathology in related brain regions. In several of these disorders, olfactory disturbances appear early and are considered as prodromal symptoms of the disease. In addition, pathological protein aggregates affect olfactory regions prior to other regions, suggesting that the olfactory system might be particularly vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases. Exposed to the external environment, the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb allow pathogen and toxin penetration into the brain, a process that has been proposed to play a role in neurodegenerative diseases. Determining whether the olfactory bulb could be a starting point of pathology and of pathology spread is crucial to understanding how neurodegenerative diseases evolve. We argue that pathological changes following environmental insults contribute to the initiation of protein aggregation in the olfactory bulb, which then triggers the spread of the pathology within the brain by a templating mechanism in a prion-like manner. We review the evidence for the early involvement of olfactory structures in neurodegenerative diseases and the relationship between neuropathology and olfactory function. We discuss the vulnerability and putative underlying mechanisms by which pathology could be initiated in the olfactory bulb, from the entry of pathogens (promoted by increased permeability of the olfactory epithelium with aging or inflammation) to the sensitivity of the olfactory system to oxidative stress and inflammation. Finally, we review changes in protein expression and neural excitability triggered by pathogenic proteins that can promote pathogenesis in the olfactory bulb and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolwen L Rey
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
| | - Daniel W Wesson
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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Sangari S, Giron A, Marrelec G, Pradat PF, Marchand-Pauvert V. Abnormal cortical brain integration of somatosensory afferents in ALS. Clin Neurophysiol 2017; 129:874-884. [PMID: 29317192 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Infraclinical sensory alterations have been reported at early stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While previous studies mainly focused on early somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), late SEPs, which reflect on cortical pathways involved in cognitive-motor functions, are relatively underinvestigated. Early and late SEPs were compared to assess their alterations in ALS. METHODS Median and ulnar nerves were electrically stimulated at the wrist, at 9 times the perceptual threshold, in 21 ALS patients without clinical evidence of sensory deficits, and 21 age- and gender-matched controls. SEPs were recorded at the Erb point using surface electrodes and using a needle inserted in the scalp, in front of the primary somatosensory area (with reference electrode on the ear lobe). RESULTS Compared to controls, ALS patients showed comparable peripheral (N9) and early cortical component (N20, P25, N30) reductions, while the late cortical components (N60, P100) were more depressed than the early ones. CONCLUSIONS The peripheral sensory alteration likely contributed to late SEP depression to a lesser extent than that of early SEPs. SIGNIFICANCE Late SEPs may provide new insights on abnormal cortical excitability affecting brain areas involved in cognitive-motor functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Sangari
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Inserm, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Alain Giron
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Inserm, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Marrelec
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Inserm, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Pierre-François Pradat
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Inserm, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, F-75013 Paris, France; Département de Neurologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Véronique Marchand-Pauvert
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Inserm, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, F-75013 Paris, France.
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Walhout R, Verstraete E, van den Heuvel MP, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH. Patterns of symptom development in patients with motor neuron disease. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2017; 19:21-28. [PMID: 29037065 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2017.1386688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether symptom development in motor neuron disease (MND) is a random or organized process. METHODS Six hundred patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), upper motor neuron (UMN) or lower motor neuron (LMN) phenotypes were invited for a questionnaire concerning symptom development. A binomial test was used to examine distribution of symptoms from site of onset. Development of symptoms over time was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS There were 470 respondents (ALS = 254; LMN = 100; UMN = 116). Subsequent symptoms were more often in the contralateral limb following unilateral limb onset (ALS: arms p = 1.05 × 10-8, legs p < 2.86 × 10-15; LMN phenotype: arms p = 6.74 × 10-9, legs p = 6.26 × 10-6; UMN phenotype: legs p = 4.07 × 10-14). In patients with limb onset, symptoms occurred significantly faster in the contralateral limb, followed by the other limbs and lastly by the bulbar region. Patterns of non-contiguous symptom development were also reported: leg symptoms followed bulbar onset in 30%, and bulbar symptoms followed leg onset in 11% of ALS patients. CONCLUSIONS Preferred spread of symptoms from one limb to the contralateral limb, and to adjacent sites appears to be a characteristic of MND phenotypes, suggesting that symptom spread is organized, possibly involving axonal connectivity. Non-contiguous symptom development, however, is not uncommon, and may involve other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée Walhout
- a Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands and
| | - Esther Verstraete
- a Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands and
| | - Martijn P van den Heuvel
- b Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- a Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands and
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- a Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands and
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Lee JY, Lee YJ, Park DW, Nam Y, Kim SH, Park J, Kim YS, Kim HY, Oh KW. Quantitative susceptibility mapping of the motor cortex: a comparison of susceptibility among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, and healthy controls. Neuroradiology 2017; 59:1213-1222. [DOI: 10.1007/s00234-017-1933-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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35
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Multimodal assessment of white matter tracts in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178371. [PMID: 28575122 PMCID: PMC5456080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Several quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have been proposed to investigate microstructural tissue changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetization transfer imaging, and R2* mapping. Here, in this study, we compared these techniques with regard to their capability for detecting ALS related white matter (WM) changes in the brain and their association with clinical findings. We examined 27 ALS patients and 35 age-matched healthy controls. MRI was performed at 3T, after which we analyzed the diffusion properties, the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), and the effective transversal relaxation rate R2* in 18 WM tracts that were obtained by a fully automated segmentation technique. ALS patients, especially with a bulbar onset, showed a bilateral increase in radial and mean diffusivity, as well as a reduction in fractional anisotropy of the corticospinal tract (CST), and diffusion changes in the parietal and temporal superior longitudinal fasciculus. A reduction of the MTR was found in both CSTs and an R2* reduction was seen only in the left CST. Tract-specific diffusion properties were not related to clinical status in a cross-sectional manner but demonstrated some association with disease progression over three subsequent months. DTI reveals more widespread WM tissue changes than MTR and R2*. These changes are not restricted to the CST, but affect also other WM tracts (especially in patients with bulbar onset), and are associated with the short term course of the disease.
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36
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Zhang J, Ji B, Hu J, Zhou C, Li L, Li Z, Huang X, Hu X. Aberrant interhemispheric homotopic functional and structural connectivity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2017; 88:369-370. [PMID: 27913627 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2016-314567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an idiopathic and fatal neurodegenerative disease of the human motor system. While microstructural alterations in corpus callosum (CC) have been identified as a consistent feature of ALS, studies directly examining interhemispheric neural connectivity are still lacking. To shed more light on the pathophysiology of ALS, the present study aims to examine alterations of interhemispheric structural and functional connectivity in individuals with ALS. METHODS Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rfMRI) data were acquired from 38 individuals with ALS and 35 gender-matched and age-matched control subjects. Indices of interhemispheric functional and structural neural connection were derived with analyses of voxel mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) and probabilistic fibre tracking. RESULTS The rfMRI has revealed extensive reductions of VMHC associated with ALS in brain regions of the precentral and postcentral gyrus, the paracentral lobule, the superior temporal gyrus, the middle cingulate gyrus, the putamen and the superior parietal lobules. With DTI, the analysis has also revealed reductions of interhemispheric structural connectivity through the CC subregions II, III and V in patients with ALS. Additionally, interhemispheric functional connectivity of the bilateral precentral gyri positively correlated with fractional anisotropy values of the CC subregion III, which structurally connects the bilateral motor cortices. CONCLUSIONS The present data provided direct evidence confirming and extending the view of impaired interhemispheric neural communications mediated by CC, providing a new perspective for examinations and understanding the pathophysiology of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuquan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China.,Biomedical Imaging Technology Center, Emory University/Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Bing Ji
- Biomedical Imaging Technology Center, Emory University/Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jun Hu
- Department of Neurology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Chaoyang Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Longchuan Li
- Biomedical Imaging Technology Center, Emory University/Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zhihao Li
- Institute of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Shenzhen University, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Xuequan Huang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
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Turner MR, Menke RAL. The tough body at the epicentre of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2017; 88:369-370. [PMID: 27965396 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2016-315247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Ricarda A L Menke
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
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Ultra-High Field Proton MR Spectroscopy in Early-Stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurochem Res 2017; 42:1833-1844. [PMID: 28367604 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-017-2248-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
A major hurdle in the development of effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been the lack of robust biomarkers for use as clinical trial endpoints. Neurochemical profiles obtained in vivo by high field proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) can potentially provide biomarkers of cerebral pathology in ALS. However, previous 1H-MRS studies in ALS have produced conflicting findings regarding alterations in the levels of neurochemical markers such as glutamate (Glu) and myo-inositol (mIns). Furthermore, very few studies have investigated the neurochemical abnormalities associated with ALS early in its course. In this study, we measured neurochemical profiles using single-voxel 1H-MRS at 7 T (T) and glutathione (GSH) levels using edited MRS at 3 T in 19 subjects with ALS who had relatively high functional status [ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) mean ± SD = 39.8 ± 5.6] and 17 healthy controls. We observed significantly lower total N-acetylaspartate over mIns (tNAA/mIns) ratio in the motor cortex and pons of subjects with ALS versus healthy controls. No group differences were detected in GSH at 3 and 7 T. In subjects with ALS, the levels of tNAA, mIns, and Glu in the motor cortex were dependent on the extent of disease represented by El Escorial diagnostic subcategories. Specifically, combined probable/definite ALS had lower tNAA than possible ALS and controls (both p = 0.03), higher mIns than controls (p < 0.01), and lower Glu than possible ALS (p < 0.01). The effect of disease stage on MRS-measured metabolite levels may account for dissimilar findings among previous 1H-MRS studies in ALS.
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de Albuquerque M, Branco LMT, Rezende TJR, de Andrade HMT, Nucci A, França MC. Longitudinal evaluation of cerebral and spinal cord damage in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2017; 14:269-276. [PMID: 28203530 PMCID: PMC5294732 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objective To evaluate MRI-based parameters as biomarkers of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) progression. Methods Twenty-seven patients and 27 controls performed two clinical and MRI acquisitions 8 months apart. ALSFRS-R scale was used to quantify disease severity at both time points. Multimodal analyses of MRI included cortical thickness measurements (FreeSurfer software), analysis of white matter integrity using diffusion-tensor imaging (tract-based spatial statistics-TBSS) and measurement of cervical spinal cord cross-sectional area (SpineSeg software). All analyses were corrected for multiple comparisons. The standardized response mean (SRM = mean score change / standard deviation of score change) was calculated for all methods herein employed and used for comparison purposes. Results There were 18 men and mean age at first examination was 51.9 years. Mean ALSFRS-R scores at baseline and follow-up were 34.0 and 29.0, respectively. There was no region with progressive cortical thinning, but there was significant brainstem volumetric reduction (p = 0.001). TBSS analyses revealed progressive increase of AD (axial diffusivity) and MD (mean diffusivity) at the corpus callosum (p < 0.05), whereas SpineSeg showed progressive cord area reduction (p = 0.002). Cervical spinal cord cross-sectional area reduction was the only MRI parameter that correlated with ALSFRS-R change (r = 0.309, p = 0.038). SRM for ALSFRS-R was 0.95, for cord area 0.95, for corpus callosum AD 0.62 and MD 0.65, and for brainstem volume 0.002. Conclusions Structural MRI is able to detect short term longitudinal changes in ALS. Cervical spinal cord morphometry is a promising neuroimaging marker to assess ALS course. We identified reduction of the cervical spine area in patients with ALS. Clinical score and cervical spinal cord area were correlated in patients. Brainstem atrophy in ALS patients is progressive over 8 months. There is evidence of progressive damage to the corpus callosum and cervical cord. The progressive reduction in cord area correlates with clinical deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena de Albuquerque
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas - UNICAMP Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Cidade Universitaria "Zeferino Vaz" Campinas, SP 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Lucas Melo T Branco
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas - UNICAMP Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Cidade Universitaria "Zeferino Vaz" Campinas, SP 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Thiago Junqueira R Rezende
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas - UNICAMP Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Cidade Universitaria "Zeferino Vaz" Campinas, SP 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Helen Maia Tavares de Andrade
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas - UNICAMP Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Cidade Universitaria "Zeferino Vaz" Campinas, SP 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Anamarli Nucci
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas - UNICAMP Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Cidade Universitaria "Zeferino Vaz" Campinas, SP 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Marcondes Cavalcante França
- Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas - UNICAMP Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Cidade Universitaria "Zeferino Vaz" Campinas, SP 13083-887, Brazil
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Interhemispheric connectivity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A near-infrared spectroscopy and diffusion tensor imaging study. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2016; 12:666-672. [PMID: 27761397 PMCID: PMC5065043 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Aim of the present study was to investigate potential impairment of non-motor areas in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In particular, we evaluated whether homotopic resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) of non-motor associated cortical areas correlates with clinical parameters and disease-specific degeneration of the corpus callosum (CC) in ALS. MATERIAL AND METHODS Interhemispheric homotopic rs-FC was assessed in 31 patients and 30 healthy controls (HCs) for 8 cortical sites, from prefrontal to occipital cortex, using NIRS. DTI was performed in a subgroup of 21 patients. All patients were evaluated for cognitive dysfunction in the executive, memory, and visuospatial domains. RESULTS ALS patients displayed an altered spatial pattern of correlation between homotopic rs-FC values when compared to HCs (p = 0.000013). In patients without executive dysfunction a strong correlation existed between the rate of motor decline and homotopic rs-FC of the anterior temporal lobes (ATLs) (ρ = - 0.85, p = 0.0004). Furthermore, antero-temporal homotopic rs-FC correlated with fractional anisotropy in the central corpus callosum (CC), corticospinal tracts (CSTs), and forceps minor as determined by DTI (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The present study further supports involvement of non-motor areas in ALS. Our results render homotopic rs-FC as assessed by NIRS a potential clinical marker for disease progression rate in ALS patients without executive dysfunction and a potential anatomical marker for ALS-specific degeneration of the CC and CSTs.
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Key Words
- AC, anterior commissure
- ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- ALS-EX, ALS with executive impairment
- ALS-NECI, ALS with non-executive cognitive impairment
- ALSFRS-R, revised ALS functional rating scale
- ATL, anterior temporal lobe
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- CC, corpus callosum
- CST, corticospinal tract
- Corpus callosum
- DD, disease duration
- DPR, disease progression rate
- DTI, diffusion tensor imaging
- Diffusion tensor imaging
- FA, fractional anisotropy
- FTD, frontotemporal dementia
- HC, healthy control
- Hb, hemoglobin
- Interhemispheric connectivity
- NIRS, near-infrared spectroscopy
- Near-infrared spectroscopy
- TBSS, tract based spatial statistics
- WM, white matter
- fMRI, functional magnetic resonance imaging
- pALS, pure ALS no cognitive impairment
- rs-FC, resting-state functional connectivity
- rs-fNIRS, resting-state functional NIRS
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Sarica A, Cerasa A, Valentino P, Yeatman J, Trotta M, Barone S, Granata A, Nisticò R, Perrotta P, Pucci F, Quattrone A. The corticospinal tract profile in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Hum Brain Mapp 2016; 38:727-739. [PMID: 27659483 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This work evaluates the potential in diagnostic application of a new advanced neuroimaging method, which delineates the profile of tissue properties along the corticospinal tract (CST) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), by means of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Twenty-four ALS patients and twenty-four demographically matched healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. The Automated Fiber Quantification (AFQ), a tool for the automatic reconstruction of white matter tract profiles, based on a deterministic tractography algorithm to automatically identify the CST and quantify its diffusion properties, was used. At a group level, the highest non-overlapping DTI-related differences were detected in the cerebral peduncle, posterior limb of the internal capsule, and primary motor cortex. Fractional anisotropy (FA) decrease and mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) increases were detected when comparing ALS patients to controls. The machine learning approach used to assess the clinical utility of this DTI tool revealed that, by combining all DTI metrics measured along tract between the cerebral peduncle and the corona radiata, a mean 5-fold cross validation accuracy of 80% was reached in discriminating ALS from controls. Our study provides a useful new neuroimaging tool to characterize ALS-related neurodegenerative processes by means of CST profile. We demonstrated that specific microstructural changes in the upper part of the brainstem might be considered as a valid biomarker. With further validations this method has the potential to be considered a promising step toward the diagnostic utility of DTI measures in ALS. Hum Brain Mapp 38:727-739, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Sarica
- Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology (IBFM), National Research Council, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Cerasa
- Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology (IBFM), National Research Council, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Paola Valentino
- Institute of Neurology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Jason Yeatman
- Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences and Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Maria Trotta
- Institute of Neurology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefania Barone
- Institute of Neurology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alfredo Granata
- Institute of Neurology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Nisticò
- Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology (IBFM), National Research Council, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Paolo Perrotta
- Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology (IBFM), National Research Council, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Franco Pucci
- Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology (IBFM), National Research Council, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Aldo Quattrone
- Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology (IBFM), National Research Council, Catanzaro, Italy.,Institute of Neurology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy
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Müller HP, Turner MR, Grosskreutz J, Abrahams S, Bede P, Govind V, Prudlo J, Ludolph AC, Filippi M, Kassubek J. A large-scale multicentre cerebral diffusion tensor imaging study in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2016; 87:570-9. [PMID: 26746186 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2015-311952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Damage to the cerebral tissue structural connectivity associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which extends beyond the motor pathways, can be visualised by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The effective translation of DTI metrics as biomarker requires its application across multiple MRI scanners and patient cohorts. A multicentre study was undertaken to assess structural connectivity in ALS within a large sample size. METHODS 442 DTI data sets from patients with ALS (N=253) and controls (N=189) were collected for this retrospective study, from eight international ALS-specialist clinic sites. Equipment and DTI protocols varied across the centres. Fractional anisotropy (FA) maps of the control participants were used to establish correction matrices to pool data, and correction algorithms were applied to the FA maps of the control and ALS patient groups. RESULTS Analysis of data pooled from all centres, using whole-brain-based statistical analysis of FA maps, confirmed the most significant alterations in the corticospinal tracts, and captured additional significant white matter tract changes in the frontal lobe, brainstem and hippocampal regions of the ALS group that coincided with postmortem neuropathological stages. Stratification of the ALS group for disease severity (ALS functional rating scale) confirmed these findings. INTERPRETATION This large-scale study overcomes the challenges associated with processing and analysis of multiplatform, multicentre DTI data, and effectively demonstrates the anatomical fingerprint patterns of changes in a DTI metric that reflect distinct ALS disease stages. This success paves the way for the use of DTI-based metrics as read-out in natural history, prognostic stratification and multisite disease-modifying studies in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Sharon Abrahams
- Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology-PPLS & Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research & Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Peter Bede
- Quantitative Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Varan Govind
- Department of Radiology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Johannes Prudlo
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock and DZNE, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Massimo Filippi
- Division of Neuroscience, Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Schuster C, Elamin M, Hardiman O, Bede P. The segmental diffusivity profile of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated white matter degeneration. Eur J Neurol 2016; 23:1361-71. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Schuster
- Quantitative Neuroimaging Group; Academic Unit of Neurology; Biomedical Sciences Institute; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin Ireland
| | - M. Elamin
- Quantitative Neuroimaging Group; Academic Unit of Neurology; Biomedical Sciences Institute; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin Ireland
| | - O. Hardiman
- Quantitative Neuroimaging Group; Academic Unit of Neurology; Biomedical Sciences Institute; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin Ireland
| | - P. Bede
- Quantitative Neuroimaging Group; Academic Unit of Neurology; Biomedical Sciences Institute; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin Ireland
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Bede P, Iyer PM, Schuster C, Elamin M, Mclaughlin RL, Kenna K, Hardiman O. The selective anatomical vulnerability of ALS: 'disease-defining' and 'disease-defying' brain regions. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2016; 17:561-570. [PMID: 27087114 DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2016.1173702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A large multiparametric MRI study has been undertaken to evaluate anatomical patterns of basal ganglia, white matter and cortical grey matter involvement in ALS. Unaffected brain regions are mapped in patients with significant disability. Multiple white matter diffusivity measures, cortical grey matter density alterations, basal ganglia volumes and subcortical grey matter atrophy patterns are evaluated. Results demonstrated a strikingly selective anatomical vulnerability pattern in ALS that preferentially affects specific grey matter structures, commissural white matter tracts and basal ganglia regions, suggestive of networkwise neurodegeneration in ALS. In conclusion, ALS pathology exhibits predilection for selective and inter-connected anatomical sites that can be comprehensively characterized in vivo by multiparametric neuroimaging. The systematic characterization of unaffected brain regions in ALS has implications for the development of classifier analyses and elucidation of disease biology. The involvement and sparing of contiguous brain regions raises important pathophysiological, phylogenetic and ontogenetic questions regarding ALS pathogenesis and disease spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bede
- a Quantitative Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , Ireland
| | - Parameswaran M Iyer
- a Quantitative Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , Ireland
| | - Christina Schuster
- a Quantitative Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , Ireland
| | - Marwa Elamin
- a Quantitative Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , Ireland
| | - Russell L Mclaughlin
- a Quantitative Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , Ireland
| | - Kevin Kenna
- a Quantitative Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- a Quantitative Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , Ireland
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Vora M, Kumar S, Sharma S, Sharma S, Makhaik S, Sood RG. Advanced magnetic resonance neuroimaging in bulbar and limb onset early amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurosci Rural Pract 2016; 7:102-8. [PMID: 26933355 PMCID: PMC4750305 DOI: 10.4103/0976-3147.165423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and most common motor neuron disease, caused by progressive loss of motor neurons. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) studies detect pathological changes in neuronal fibers in vivo. We evaluated the role of DTI and MRS in early course of the disease, which may prove beneficial in the early diagnosis and better management. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with ALS and 13 age-matched controls received 1.5T DTI and three-dimensional multi-voxel MRS. Fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/Creatine (Cr), and NAA/Choline (Ch) ratios were analyzed in various regions of the brain and compared with healthy controls. ALS patients were classified as definite, possible, and probable category, and patients were also studied in limb versus bulbar onset. Results: Decreased FA and increase mean diffusivity values in regions of corticospinal tract (CST) and corpus callosum (CC) was consistent finding in definite and probable disease category (P < 0.05). In possible disease, CC involvement was not significant. NAA/Cr and NAA/Ch ratios were lower in CC and regions of CST. However, in possible disease, CC involvement was not significant, while regions of CST were showing significant reduction in NAA/Cr and NAA/Ch ratios (P < 0.05). Conclusion: DTI and MRS detect changes associated with ALS even in the early phase of the disease. Bulbar onset and limb onset ALS patients show different pattern of involvement. Extramotor involvement suggested by CC involvement is a feature seen in bulbar onset patient and can suggest poor outcome in such patients. The present findings may be helpful for designing further studies in the direction of more early diagnosis of disease and its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maulik Vora
- Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sanjiv Sharma
- Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sudhir Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sushma Makhaik
- Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - R G Sood
- Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
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Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is now recognised to be a heterogeneous neurodegenerative syndrome of the motor system and its frontotemporal cortical connections. The development and application of structural and functional imaging over the last three decades, in particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has allowed traditional post mortem histopathological and emerging molecular findings in ALS to be placed in a clinical context. Cerebral grey and white matter structural MRI changes are increasingly being understood in terms of brain connectivity, providing insights into the advancing degenerative process and producing candidate biomarkers. Such markers may refine the prognostic stratification of patients and the diagnostic pathway, as well as providing an objective assessment of changes in disease activity in response to future therapeutic agents. Studies are being extended to the spinal cord, and the application of neuroimaging to unaffected carriers of highly penetrant genetic mutations linked to the development of ALS offers a unique window to the pre-symptomatic landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin R. Turner
- />Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- />John Radcliffe Hospital, West Wing Level 3, Oxford, OX3 9DU UK
| | - Esther Verstraete
- />University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- />University Medical Center, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Prell T, Hartung V, Tietz F, Penzlin S, Ilse B, Schweser F, Deistung A, Bokemeyer M, Reichenbach JR, Witte OW, Grosskreutz J. Susceptibility-weighted imaging provides insight into white matter damage in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131114. [PMID: 26110427 PMCID: PMC4481412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterised by widespread white matter damage. There is growing evidence that disturbances in iron metabolism contribute to white matter alterations. Materials & Methods We analysed the data of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) of white matter in a cohort of 27 patients with ALS and 30 healthy age-matched controls. Results Signal alterations were found on SWI in the corpus callosum; along the corticospinal tract (subcortical motor cortex, posterior limb of the internal capsule and brainstem levels) and in the subgyral regions of frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital and limbic lobes. Alterations of white matter in the corpus callosum correlated with disease severity as assessed by the revised ALS functional rating scale. Conclusion SWI is capable of indicating iron and myelin disturbances in white matter of ALS patients. The SWI patterns observed in this study suggest that widespread alterations due to iron disturbances occur in patients with ALS and correlate with disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Prell
- Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747, Jena, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Viktor Hartung
- Department of Radiology, HELIOS Kreiskrankenhaus Gotha, 99867, Gotha, Germany
| | - Florian Tietz
- Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Susanne Penzlin
- Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Benjamin Ilse
- Department of Neurology, University of Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ferdinand Schweser
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, New York, United States of America
- MRI Clinical and Translational Research Center, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Andreas Deistung
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Bokemeyer
- Department of Neuroradiology, Jena University Hospital, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen R. Reichenbach
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Otto W. Witte
- Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747, Jena, Germany
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Turner MR, Swash M. The expanding syndrome of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a clinical and molecular odyssey. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2015; 86:667-73. [PMID: 25644224 PMCID: PMC4453495 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2014-308946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in understanding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have delivered new questions. Disappointingly, the initial enthusiasm for transgenic mouse models of the disease has not been followed by rapid advances in therapy or prevention. Monogenic models may have inadvertently masked the true complexity of the human disease. ALS has evolved into a multisystem disorder, involving a final common pathway accessible via multiple upstream aetiological tributaries. Nonetheless, there is a common clinical core to ALS, as clear today as it was to Charcot and others. We stress the continuing relevance of clinical observations amid the increasing molecular complexity of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael Swash
- Queen Mary University of London, London, UK University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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de Albuquerque M, Anjos LG, Maia Tavares de Andrade H, de Oliveira MS, Castellano G, Junqueira Ribeiro de Rezende T, Nucci A, Cavalcante França Junior M. MRI Texture Analysis Reveals Deep Gray Nuclei Damage in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Neuroimaging 2015; 26:201-6. [DOI: 10.1111/jon.12262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Milena de Albuquerque
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences; University of Campinas - UNICAMP; Brazil
| | - Lara G.V. Anjos
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences; University of Campinas - UNICAMP; Brazil
| | - Helen Maia Tavares de Andrade
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences; University of Campinas - UNICAMP; Brazil
| | - Márcia S. de Oliveira
- Neurophysics Group, Institute of Physics Gleb Wataghin; University of Campinas -UNICAMP; Brazil
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN)
| | - Gabriela Castellano
- Neurophysics Group, Institute of Physics Gleb Wataghin; University of Campinas -UNICAMP; Brazil
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN)
| | - Thiago Junqueira Ribeiro de Rezende
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences; University of Campinas - UNICAMP; Brazil
- Neurophysics Group, Institute of Physics Gleb Wataghin; University of Campinas -UNICAMP; Brazil
| | - Anamarli Nucci
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences; University of Campinas - UNICAMP; Brazil
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