1
|
Rodríguez-Nieto G, Levin O, Hermans L, Weerasekera A, Sava AC, Haghebaert A, Huybrechts A, Cuypers K, Mantini D, Himmelreich U, Swinnen SP. Organization of neurochemical interactions in young and older brains as revealed with a network approach: Evidence from proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1H-MRS). Neuroimage 2023; 266:119830. [PMID: 36566925 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with alterations in the brain including structural and metabolic changes. Previous research has focused on neurometabolite level differences associated to age in a variety of brain regions, but the relationship among metabolites across the brain has been much less studied. Investigating these relationships can reveal underlying neurometabolic processes, their interdependency, and their progress throughout the lifespan. Using 1H-MRS, we investigated the relationship among metabolite concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), myo-Inositol (mIns) and glutamate-glutamine complex (Glx) in seven voxel locations, i.e., bilateral sensorimotor cortex, bilateral striatum, pre-supplementary motor area, right inferior frontal gyrus and occipital cortex. These measurements were performed on 59 human participants divided in two age groups: young adults (YA: 23.2 ± 4.3; 18-34 years) and older adults (OA: 67.5 ± 3.9; 61-74 years). Our results showed age-related differences in NAA, Cho, and mIns across brain regions, suggesting the presence of neurodegeneration and altered gliosis. Moreover, associative patterns among NAA, Cho and Cr were observed across the selected brain regions, which differed between young and older adults. Whereas most of metabolite concentrations were inhomogeneous across different brain regions, Cho levels were shown to be strongly related across brain regions in both age groups. Finally, we found metabolic associations between homologous brain regions (SM1 and striatum) in the OA group, with NAA showing a significant correlation between bilateral sensorimotor cortices (SM1) and mIns levels being correlated between the bilateral striata. We posit that a network perspective provides important insights regarding the potential interactions among neurochemicals underlying metabolic processes at a local and global level and their relationship with aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Rodríguez-Nieto
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuurse Vest 101, Leuven 3001, Belgium.
| | - Oron Levin
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuurse Vest 101, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Lize Hermans
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuurse Vest 101, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Akila Weerasekera
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuurse Vest 101, Leuven 3001, Belgium; Biomedical MRI Unit, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Astrid Haghebaert
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuurse Vest 101, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Astrid Huybrechts
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuurse Vest 101, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Koen Cuypers
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuurse Vest 101, Leuven 3001, Belgium; REVAL Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven-LBI, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dante Mantini
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuurse Vest 101, Leuven 3001, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven-LBI, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI Unit, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuurse Vest 101, Leuven 3001, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven-LBI, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Levin O, Vints WAJ, Ziv G, Katkutė G, Kušleikienė S, Valatkevičienė K, Sheoran S, Drozdova-Statkevičienė M, Gleiznienė R, Pääsuke M, Dudonienė V, Himmelreich U, Česnaitienė VJ, Masiulis N. Neurometabolic correlates of posturography in normal aging and older adults with mild cognitive impairment: Evidence from a 1H-MRS study. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 37:103304. [PMID: 36580713 PMCID: PMC9827054 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) holds promise for revealing and understanding neurodegenerative processes associated with cognitive and functional impairments in aging. In the present study, we examined the neurometabolic correlates of balance performance in 42 cognitively intact older adults (healthy controls - HC) and 26 older individuals that were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Neurometabolite ratios of total N-acetyl aspartate (tNAA), glutamate-glutamine complex (Glx), total choline (tCho) and myo-inositol (mIns) relative to total creatine (tCr) were assessed using single voxel 1H-MRS in four different brain regions. Regions of interest were the left hippocampus (HPC), dorsal posterior cingulate cortex (dPCC), left sensorimotor cortex (SM1), and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Center-of-pressure velocity (Vcop) and dual task effect (DTE) were used as measures of balance performance. Results indicated no significant group differences in neurometabolite ratios and balance performance measures. However, our observations revealed that higher tCho/tCr and mIns/tCr in hippocampus and dPCC were generic predictors of worse balance performance, suggesting that neuroinflammatory processes in these regions might be a driving factor for impaired balance performance in aging. Further, we found that higher tNAA/tCr and mIns/tCr and lower Glx/tCr in left SM1 were predictors of better balance performance in MCI but not in HC. The latter observation hints at the possibility that individuals with MCI may upregulate balance control through recruitment of sensorimotor pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oron Levin
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania; Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Wouter A J Vints
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Research School CAPHRI, Maastricht University P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands; Centre of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology, Adelante Zorggroep, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands.
| | - Gal Ziv
- The Academic College at Wingate, Netanya 4290200, Israel
| | - Gintarė Katkutė
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Simona Kušleikienė
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Kristina Valatkevičienė
- Department of Radiology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Samrat Sheoran
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania; Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Rymantė Gleiznienė
- Department of Radiology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Mati Pääsuke
- Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vilma Dudonienė
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Vida J Česnaitienė
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Nerijus Masiulis
- Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania; Department of Rehabilitation, Physical and Sports Medicine, Institute of Health Science, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Song T, Song X, Zhu C, Patrick R, Skurla M, Santangelo I, Green M, Harper D, Ren B, Forester BP, Öngür D, Du F. Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and metabolic alterations in the progression of Alzheimer's disease: A meta-analysis of in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 72:101503. [PMID: 34751136 PMCID: PMC8662951 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence demonstrates that metabolic changes in the brain associated with neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction play an important role in the pathophysiology of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the neural signatures associated with these metabolic alterations and underlying molecular mechanisms are still elusive. Accordingly, we reviewed the literature on in vivo human brain 1H and 31P-MRS studies and use meta-analyses to identify patterns of brain metabolic alterations in MCI and AD. 40 and 39 studies on MCI and AD, respectively, were classified according to brain regions. Our results indicate decreased N-acetyl aspartate and creatine but increased myo-inositol levels in both MCI and AD, decreased glutathione level in MCI as well as disrupted energy metabolism in AD. In addition, the hippocampus shows the strongest alterations in most of these metabolites. This meta-analysis also illustrates progressive metabolite alterations from MCI to AD. Taken together, it suggests that 1) neuroinflammation and oxidative stress may occur in the early stages of AD, and likely precede neuron loss in its progression; 2) the hippocampus is a sensitive region of interest for early diagnosis and monitoring the response of interventions; 3) targeting bioenergetics associated with neuroinflammation/oxidative stress is a promising approach for treating AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Song
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Xiaopeng Song
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Chenyawen Zhu
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA
| | - Regan Patrick
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; Department of Neuropsychology, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Miranda Skurla
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA
| | | | - Morgan Green
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA
| | - David Harper
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Boyu Ren
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Brent P Forester
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Dost Öngür
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Fei Du
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, 02478, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu H, Zhang D, Lin H, Zhang Q, Zheng L, Zheng Y, Yin X, Li Z, Liang S, Huang S. Meta-Analysis of Neurochemical Changes Estimated via Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:738971. [PMID: 34744689 PMCID: PMC8569809 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.738971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The changes of neurochemicals in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients has been observed via magnetic resonance spectroscopy in several studies. However, whether it exists the consistent pattern of changes of neurochemicals in the encephalic region during the progression of MCI to AD were still not clear. The study performed meta-analysis to investigate the patterns of neurochemical changes in the encephalic region in the progress of AD. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, and finally included 63 studies comprising 1,086 MCI patients, 1,256 AD patients, and 1,907 healthy controls. It showed that during the progression from MCI to AD, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) decreased continuously in the posterior cingulate (PC) (SMD: −0.42 [95% CI: −0.62 to −0.21], z = −3.89, P < 0.05), NAA/Cr (creatine) was consistently reduced in PC (SMD: −0.58 [95% CI: −0.86 to −0.30], z = −4.06, P < 0.05) and hippocampus (SMD: −0.65 [95% CI: −1.11 to −0.12], z = −2.44, P < 0.05), while myo-inositol (mI) (SMD: 0.44 [95% CI: 0.26–0.61], z = 4.97, P < 0.05) and mI/Cr (SMD: 0.43 [95% CI: 0.17–0.68], z = 3.30, P < 0.05) were raised in PC. Furthermore, these results were further verified by a sustained decrease in the NAA/mI of PC (SMD: −0.94 [95% CI: −1.24 to −0.65], z = −6.26, P < 0.05). Therefore, the levels of NAA and mI were associated with the cognitive decline and might be used as potentially biomarkers to predict the possible progression from MCI to AD. Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42020200308.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Rehabilitation Industry Institute, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Huawei Lin
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Rehabilitation Industry Institute, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ling Zheng
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Zheng
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Yin
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Rehabilitation Industry Institute, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zuanfang Li
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shengxiang Liang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Rehabilitation Industry Institute, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Research Center of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Saie Huang
- Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Subsidiary Rehabilitation Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu X, Du L, Zhang B, Zhao Z, Gao W, Liu B, Liu J, Chen Y, Wang Y, Yu H, Ma G. Alterations and Associations Between Magnetic Susceptibility of the Basal Ganglia and Diffusion Properties in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:616163. [PMID: 33664645 PMCID: PMC7921325 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.616163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This study adopted diffusion tensor imaging to detect alterations in the diffusion parameters of the white matter fiber in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and used quantitative susceptibility mapping to detect changes in magnetic susceptibility. However, whether the changes of susceptibility values due to excessive iron in the basal ganglia have correlations with the alterations of the diffusion properties of the white matter in patients with AD are still unknown. We aim to investigate the correlations among magnetic susceptibility values of the basal ganglia, diffusion indexes of the white matter, and cognitive function in patients with AD. Thirty patients with AD and nineteen healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Diffusion indexes of the whole brain were detected using tract-based spatial statistics. The caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus were selected as regions of interest, and their magnetic susceptibility values were measured. Compared with HCs, patients with AD showed that there were significantly increased axial diffusivity (AxD) in the internal capsule, superior corona radiata (SCR), and right anterior corona radiata (ACR); increased radial diffusivity (RD) in the right anterior limb of the internal capsule, ACR, and genu of the corpus callosum (GCC); and decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the right ACR and GCC. The alterations of RD values, FA values, and susceptibility values of the right caudate nucleus in patients with AD were correlated with cognitive scores. Besides, AxD values in the right internal capsule, ACR, and SCR were positively correlated with the magnetic susceptibility values of the right caudate nucleus in patients with AD. Our findings revealed that the magnetic susceptibility of the caudate nucleus may be an MRI-based biomarker of the cognitive dysfunction of AD and abnormal excessive iron distribution in the basal ganglia had adverse effects on the diffusion properties of the white matter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Liu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Du
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Brain Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zifang Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenwen Gao
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yige Wang
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Yu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guolin Ma
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Weerasekera A, Levin O, Clauwaert A, Heise KF, Hermans L, Peeters R, Mantini D, Cuypers K, Leunissen I, Himmelreich U, Swinnen SP. Neurometabolic Correlates of Reactive and Proactive Motor Inhibition in Young and Older Adults: Evidence from Multiple Regional 1H-MR Spectroscopy. Cereb Cortex Commun 2020; 1:tgaa028. [PMID: 34296102 PMCID: PMC8152832 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgaa028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Suboptimal inhibitory control is a major factor contributing to motor/cognitive deficits in older age and pathology. Here, we provide novel insights into the neurochemical biomarkers of inhibitory control in healthy young and older adults and highlight putative neurometabolic correlates of deficient inhibitory functions in normal aging. Age-related alterations in levels of glutamate–glutamine complex (Glx), N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), and myo-inositol (mIns) were assessed in the right inferior frontal gyrus (RIFG), pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA), bilateral sensorimotor cortex (SM1), bilateral striatum (STR), and occipital cortex (OCC) with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Data were collected from 30 young (age range 18–34 years) and 29 older (age range 60–74 years) adults. Associations between age-related changes in the levels of these metabolites and performance measures or reactive/proactive inhibition were examined for each age group. Glx levels in the right striatum and preSMA were associated with more efficient proactive inhibition in young adults but were not predictive for reactive inhibition performance. Higher NAA/mIns ratios in the preSMA and RIFG and lower mIns levels in the OCC were associated with better deployment of proactive and reactive inhibition in older adults. Overall, these findings suggest that altered regional concentrations of NAA and mIns constitute potential biomarkers of suboptimal inhibitory control in aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akila Weerasekera
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Oron Levin
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Amanda Clauwaert
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Kirstin-Friederike Heise
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Lize Hermans
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Ronald Peeters
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dante Mantini
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Koen Cuypers
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Inge Leunissen
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Levin O, Weerasekera A, King BR, Heise KF, Sima DM, Chalavi S, Maes C, Peeters R, Sunaert S, Cuypers K, Van Huffel S, Mantini D, Himmelreich U, Swinnen SP. Sensorimotor cortex neurometabolite levels as correlate of motor performance in normal aging: evidence from a 1H-MRS study. Neuroimage 2019; 202:116050. [PMID: 31349070 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with gradual alterations in the neurochemical characteristics of the brain, which can be assessed in-vivo with proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). However, the impact of these age-related neurochemical changes on functional motor behavior is still poorly understood. Here, we address this knowledge gap and specifically focus on the neurochemical integrity of the left sensorimotor cortex (SM1) and the occipital lobe (OCC), as both regions are main nodes of the visuomotor network underlying bimanual control. 1H-MRS data and performance on a set of bimanual tasks were collected from a lifespan (20-75 years) sample of 86 healthy adults. Results indicated that aging was accompanied by decreased levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate-glutamine (Glx), creatine + phosphocreatine (Cr) and myo-inositol (mI) in both regions, and decreased Choline (Cho) in the OCC region. Lower NAA and Glx levels in the SM1 and lower NAA levels in the OCC were related to poorer performance on a visuomotor bimanual coordination task, suggesting that NAA could serve as a potential biomarker for the integrity of the motor system supporting bimanual control. In addition, lower NAA, Glx, and mI levels in the SM1 were found to be correlates of poorer dexterous performance on a bimanual dexterity task. These findings highlight the role for 1H-MRS to study neurochemical correlates of motor performance across the adult lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oron Levin
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Akila Weerasekera
- Biomedical MRI Unit, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bradley R King
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kirstin F Heise
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Sima Chalavi
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Celine Maes
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ronald Peeters
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, UZ Gasthuisberg, Belgium
| | - Stefan Sunaert
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, UZ Gasthuisberg, Belgium
| | - Koen Cuypers
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; REVAL Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Building A, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sabine Van Huffel
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), STADIUS Centre for Dynamical Systems, Signal Processing and Data Analytics, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dante Mantini
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; Brain Imaging and Neural Dynamics Research Group, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical MRI Unit, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Snow WM, Dale R, O'Brien-Moran Z, Buist R, Peirson D, Martin M, Albensi BC. In Vivo Detection of Gray Matter Neuropathology in the 3xTg Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease with Diffusion Tensor Imaging. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 58:841-853. [PMID: 28505976 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder accompanied by severe functional and cognitive decline, is based on clinical findings, with final confirmation of the disease at autopsy by the presence of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Given that microstructural brain alterations occur years prior to clinical symptoms, efforts to detect brain changes early could significantly enhance our ability to diagnose AD sooner. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a type of MRI that characterizes the magnitude, orientation, and anisotropy of the diffusion of water in tissues, has been used to infer neuropathological changes in vivo. Its utility in AD, however, is still under investigation. The current study used DTI to examine brain regions susceptible to AD-related pathology; the cerebral cortex, entorhinal cortex, and hippocampus, in 12-14-month-old 3xTg AD mice that possess both Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Mean diffusivity did not differ between 3xTg and control mice in any region. Decreased fractional anisotropy (p < 0.01) and axial diffusivity (p < 0.05) were detected only in the hippocampus, in which both congophilic Aβ plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation, consistent with neurofibrillary tangle formation, were detected. Pathological tau accumulation was seen in the cortex. The entorhinal cortex was largely spared from AD-related neuropathology. This is the first study to demonstrate DTI abnormalities in gray matter in a mouse model of AD in which both pathological hallmarks are present, suggesting the feasibility of DTI as a non-invasive means of detecting brain pathology in vivo in early-stage AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanda M Snow
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Ryan Dale
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Richard Buist
- Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Danial Peirson
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Melanie Martin
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Physics, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Benedict C Albensi
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang H, Tan L, Wang HF, Liu Y, Yin RH, Wang WY, Chang XL, Jiang T, Yu JT. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Alzheimer's Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 46:1049-70. [PMID: 26402632 DOI: 10.3233/jad-143225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The application of non-invasive proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) could potentially identify changes in cerebral metabolites in the patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether these metabolites can serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of AD remains unclear. OBJECTIVE Using meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the patterns of cerebral metabolite changes in several cerebral regions that are strongly associated with cognitive decline in AD patients. METHODS Using Hedges' g effect size, a systematic search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid, Embase, and EBSCO, and 38 studies were integrated into the final meta-analysis. RESULTS According to the observational studies, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) in AD patients was significantly reduced in the posterior cingulate (PC) (effect size (ES) =-0.924, p < 0.005) and bilateral hippocampus (left hippocampus: ES =-1.329, p < 0.005; right hippocampus: ES =-1.287, p < 0.005). NAA/Cr (creatine) ratio decreased markedly in the PC (ES =-1.052, p < 0.005). Simultaneously, significant elevated myo-inositol (mI)/Cr ratio was found not only in the PC but also in the parietal gray matter. For lack of sufficient data, we failed to elucidate the efficacy of pharmacological interventions with the metabolites changes. CONCLUSION The available data indicates that NAA, mI, and the NAA/Cr ratio might be potential biomarkers of brain dysfunction in AD subjects. Choline (Cho)/Cr and mI/NAA changes might also contribute toward the diagnostic process. Thus, large, well-designed studies correlated with cerebral metabolism are needed to better estimate the cerebral extent of alterations in brain metabolite levels in AD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, China
| | - Lan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, China.,Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, China.,Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Hui-Fu Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Dalian Medical University, China
| | - Rui-Hua Yin
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, China
| | - Wen-Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, China
| | - Xiao-Long Chang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, China
| | - Teng Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, China.,Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China.,Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Memory and Aging Center, Deparment of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Quadrelli S, Mountford C, Ramadan S. Hitchhiker's Guide to Voxel Segmentation for Partial Volume Correction of In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. MAGNETIC RESONANCE INSIGHTS 2016; 9:1-8. [PMID: 27147822 PMCID: PMC4849426 DOI: 10.4137/mri.s32903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Partial volume effects have the potential to cause inaccuracies when quantifying metabolites using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In order to correct for cerebrospinal fluid content, a spectroscopic voxel needs to be segmented according to different tissue contents. This article aims to detail how automated partial volume segmentation can be undertaken and provides a software framework for researchers to develop their own tools. While many studies have detailed the impact of partial volume correction on proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy quantification, there is a paucity of literature explaining how voxel segmentation can be achieved using freely available neuroimaging packages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Quadrelli
- Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Saadallah Ramadan
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Duarte JMN. Metabolic Alterations Associated to Brain Dysfunction in Diabetes. Aging Dis 2015; 6:304-21. [PMID: 26425386 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2014.1104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
From epidemiological studies it is known that diabetes patients display increased risk of developing dementia. Moreover, cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are also accompanied by impaired glucose homeostasis and insulin signalling. Although there is plenty of evidence for a connection between insulin-resistant diabetes and AD, definitive linking mechanisms remain elusive. Cerebrovascular complications of diabetes, alterations in glucose homeostasis and insulin signalling, as well as recurrent hypoglycaemia are the factors that most likely affect brain function and structure. While difficult to study in patients, the mechanisms by which diabetes leads to brain dysfunction have been investigated in experimental models that display phenotypes of the disease. The present article reviews the impact of diabetes and AD on brain structure and function, and discusses recent findings from translational studies in animal models that link insulin resistance to metabolic alterations that underlie brain dysfunction. Such modifications of brain metabolism are likely to occur at early stages of neurodegeneration and impact regional neurochemical profiles and constitute non-invasive biomarkers detectable by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João M N Duarte
- Laboratory for Functional and Metabolic Imaging (LIFMET), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gao F, Barker PB. Various MRS application tools for Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2014; 35:S4-11. [PMID: 24742809 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a3944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
MR spectroscopy is a noninvasive technique that allows the detection of several naturally occurring compounds (metabolites) from well-defined regions of interest within the human brain. Alzheimer disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. During the past 20 years, multiple studies have been performed on MR spectroscopy in patients with both mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease. Generally, MR spectroscopy studies have found decreased N-acetylaspartate and increased myo-inositol in both patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease, with greater changes in Alzheimer disease than in mild cognitive impairment. This review summarizes the information content of proton brain MR spectroscopy and its related technical aspects, as well as applications of MR spectroscopy to mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease. While MR spectroscopy may have some value in the differential diagnosis of dementias and assessing prognosis, more likely its role in the near future will be predominantly as a tool for monitoring disease response or progression in treatment trials. More work is needed to evaluate the role of MR spectroscopy as a biomarker in Alzheimer disease and its relationship to other imaging modalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Gao
- From the Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute (F.G.), Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - P B Barker
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science (P.B.B.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MarylandF.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging (P.B.B.), Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Nowrangi MA, Lyketsos CG, Leoutsakos JMS, Oishi K, Albert M, Mori S, Mielke MM. Longitudinal, region-specific course of diffusion tensor imaging measures in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2013; 9:519-28. [PMID: 23245561 PMCID: PMC3639296 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2012.05.2186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2011] [Revised: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a promising method for identifying significant cross-sectional differences of white-matter tracts in normal controls (NC) and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD). There have not been many studies establishing its longitudinal utility. METHODS Seventy-five participants (25 NC, 25 amnestic MCI, and 25 AD) had 3-Tesla MRI scans and clinical evaluations at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were analyzed at each time-point and longitudinally in eight a priori-selected areas taken from four regions of interest (ROIs). RESULTS Cross-sectionally, MD values were higher, and FA values lower in the fornix and splenium of the AD group compared with either MCI or NC (P < .01). Within-group change was more evident in MD than in FA over 12 months: MD increased in the inferior, anterior cingulum, and fornix in both the MCI and AD groups (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS There were stable, cross-sectional, region-specific differences between the NC and AD groups in both FA and MD at each time-point over 12 months. Longitudinally, MD was a better indicator of change than FA. Significant increases of fornix MD in the MCI group suggest this is an early indicator of progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milap A Nowrangi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang JH, Lv PY, Wang HB, Li ZL, Li N, Sun ZY, Zhao BH, Huang Y. Diffusion tensor imaging measures of normal appearing white matter in patients who are aging, or have amnestic mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's disease. J Clin Neurosci 2013; 20:1089-94. [PMID: 23787190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2012.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Revised: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 09/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate whether cerebral white matter integrity is related to cognitive function, and whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) could differentiate amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) from Alzheimer's disease (AD), 12 patients with AD, 12 with aMCI, and 12 controls were recruited for this study. Cognitive functions of all subjects were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and AD Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog). DTI studies were acquired, and fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in multiple brain regions were obtained. Results showed that MMSE and ADAS-Cog subscores were significantly associated with white matter integrity of the temporal-parietal lobes. A decrease in FA values and an increase in MD values in multiple cortical regions were confirmed in patients with AD compared to controls. MD values in the posterior region of the corpus callosum in aMCI differed from those of early AD. Significant reductions of FA values in the NAWM of the parietal lobe was observed in aMCI compared to controls. Our data indicate that the microstructural white matter integrity in the temporal-parietal lobes is gradually impaired in the progressive process of AD, and that splenium MD values could be used as a biomarker differentiating aMCI from AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Hua Wang
- Neurology Department, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050051, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
An unbiased longitudinal analysis framework for tracking white matter changes using diffusion tensor imaging with application to Alzheimer's disease. Neuroimage 2013; 72:153-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Revised: 01/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
|
16
|
|
17
|
Liu J, Yin C, Xia S, Jia L, Guo Y, Zhao Z, Li X, Han Y, Jia J. White matter changes in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment detected by diffusion tensor imaging. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59440. [PMID: 23555673 PMCID: PMC3605411 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Compared to normal aging adults, individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) have significantly increased risk for progressing into Alzheimer's disease (AD). Autopsy studies found that most of the brains of aMCI cases showed anatomical features associated with AD pathology. The recent development of non-invasive neuroimaging technique, such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), makes it possible to investigate the microstructures of the cerebral white matter in vivo. We hypothesized that disrupted white matter (WM) integrity existed in aMCI. So we used DTI technique, by measuring fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), to test the brain structures involved in patients with aMCI. DTI scans were collected from 40 patients with aMCI, and 28 normal controls (NC). Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyses of whole-brain FA and MD images in each individual and group comparisons were carried out. Compared to NC, aMCI patients showed significant FA reduction bilaterally, in the association and projection fibers of frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes, corpus callosum, bilateral corona radiation, right posterior thalamic radiation and right sagittal stratum. aMCI patients also showed significantly increased MD widespreadly in the association and projection fibers of frontal, parietal and temporal lobes, and corpus callosum. Assessment of the WM integrity of the frontal, parietal, temporal lobes, and corpus callosum by using DTI measures may aid early diagnosis of aMCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianghong Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Key Neurodegenerative Laboratory of Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, PR China
| | - Changhao Yin
- Department of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital of Mudanjiang Medical College, Mudangjiang, China
| | - Shugao Xia
- Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Departments of Radiology, Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Longfei Jia
- Department of Neurology, Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanqin Guo
- Department of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital of Mudanjiang Medical College, Mudangjiang, China
| | - Zhilian Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Departments of Radiology, Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Ying Han
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Key Neurodegenerative Laboratory of Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jianping Jia
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Key Neurodegenerative Laboratory of Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Oishi K, Mielke MM, Albert M, Lyketsos CG, Mori S. DTI analyses and clinical applications in Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2012; 26 Suppl 3:287-96. [PMID: 21971468 DOI: 10.3233/jad-2011-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
DTI is one of the most effective MR tools for the investigation of the brain anatomy. In addition to the gray matter, histopathological studies indicate that white matter is also a good target for both the early diagnosis of AD and for monitoring disease progression, which motivates us to use DTI to study AD patients in vivo. There are already a large amount of studies reporting significant differences between AD patients and controls, as well as to predict progression of disease in symptomatic non-demented individuals. Application of these findings in clinical practice remains to be demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Oishi
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Oishi K, Mielke MM, Albert M, Lyketsos CG, Mori S. The fornix sign: a potential sign for Alzheimer's disease based on diffusion tensor imaging. J Neuroimaging 2011; 22:365-74. [PMID: 21848679 DOI: 10.1111/j.1552-6569.2011.00633.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated a simple imaging sign for Alzheimer's disease (AD), using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We hypothesized that a reduction in fractional anisotropy (FA) in the fornix could be utilized as an imaging sign. METHODS Twenty-three patients with AD, 24 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and 25 control participants (NC) underwent DTI at baseline and 1 year later. The diagnosis was reevaluated 1 year and 3 years after the initial scan. A color-scaled FA map was used to visually identify the FA reduction ("fornix sign"). We investigated whether the fornix sign could separate AD from NC, and could predict progression from aMCI to AD or NC to aMCI. We also quantified FA of the fornix to validate the fornix sign. RESULTS The fornix sign was identical to the lack of any voxels with an FA > .52 within the fornix. The fornix sign differentiated AD from NC with specificity of 1.0 and sensitivity of .56. It predicted conversion from NC to aMCI with specificity of 1.0 and sensitivity of .67, and from aMCI to AD with specificity of .94 and sensitivity of .83. CONCLUSION The fornix sign is a promising predictive imaging sign of AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Oishi
- Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Li TQ, Wahlund LO. The search for neuroimaging biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease with advanced MRI techniques. Acta Radiol 2011; 52:211-22. [PMID: 21498351 DOI: 10.1258/ar.2010.100053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to examine the recent literature on using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques for finding neuroimaging biomarkers that are sensitive to the detection of risks for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since structural MRI techniques, such as brain structural volumetry and voxel-based morphometry (VBM), have been widely used for AD studies and extensively reviewed, we will only briefly touch on the topics of volumetry and morphometry. The focus of the current review is about the more recent developments in the search for AD neuroimaging biomarkers with functional MRI (fMRI), resting-state functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin-labeling (ASL), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tie-Qiang Li
- Karolinska Huddinge – Medical Physics, Stockholm
| | - Lars-Olof Wahlund
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ryan L, Walther K, Bendlin BB, Lue LF, Walker DG, Glisky EL. Age-related differences in white matter integrity and cognitive function are related to APOE status. Neuroimage 2011; 54:1565-77. [PMID: 20804847 PMCID: PMC2997188 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2010] [Revised: 07/16/2010] [Accepted: 08/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
While an extensive literature is now available on age-related differences in white matter integrity measured by diffusion MRI, relatively little is known about the relationships between diffusion and cognitive functions in older adults. Even less is known about whether these relationships are influenced by the apolipoprotein (APOE) ε4 allele, despite growing evidence that ε4 increases cognitive impairment in older adults. The purpose of the present study was to examine these relationships in a group of community-dwelling cognitively normal older adults. Data were obtained from a sample of 126 individuals (ages 52-92) that included 32 ε4 heterozygotes, 6 ε4 homozygotes, and 88 noncarriers. Two measures of diffusion, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA), were obtained from six brain regions-frontal white matter, lateral parietal white matter, the centrum semiovale, the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum, and the temporal stem white matter-and were used to predict composite scores of cognitive function in two domains, executive function and memory function. Results indicated that ADC and FA differed with increasing age in all six brain regions, and these differences were significantly greater for ε4 carriers compared to noncarriers. Importantly, after controlling for age, diffusion measures predicted cognitive function in a region-specific way that was also influenced by ε4 status. Regardless of APOE status, frontal ADC and FA independently predicted executive function scores for all participants, while temporal lobe ADC additionally predicted executive function for ε4 carriers but not noncarriers. Memory scores were predicted by temporal lobe ADC but not frontal diffusion for all participants, and this relationship was significantly stronger in ε4 carriers compared to noncarriers. Taken together, age and temporal lobe ADC accounted for a striking 53% of the variance in memory scores within the ε4 carrier group. The results provide further evidence that APOE ε4 has a significant impact on the trajectory of age-related cognitive functioning in older adults. Possible mechanisms are discussed that could account for the associations between ε4, diffusion, and cognitive function, including the influence of ε4 on neural repair, oxidative stress, and the health of myelin-producing oligodendroglia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lee Ryan
- Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0068, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Nakata Y, Aoki S, Sato N, Yasmin H, Masutani Y, Ohtomo K. Tract-specific analysis for investigation of Alzheimer disease: a brief review. Jpn J Radiol 2010; 28:494-501. [DOI: 10.1007/s11604-010-0460-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2010] [Accepted: 04/28/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
23
|
Wang Z, Guo X, Qi Z, Yao L, Li K. Whole-brain voxel-based morphometry of white matter in mild cognitive impairment. Eur J Radiol 2010; 75:129-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2009.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2009] [Accepted: 04/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
24
|
A meta-analysis of diffusion tensor imaging in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2010; 32:2322.e5-18. [PMID: 20619504 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2010.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2010] [Revised: 05/14/2010] [Accepted: 05/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We reviewed case-control studies of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), in order to establish the relative severity and location of white matter microstructural changes. EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched using the keywords, (["diffusion tensor"] and ["Alzheimer*" or "mild cognitive impairment"]), as were reference lists of relevant papers. Forty-one diffusion tensor imaging studies contained data that were suitable for inclusion. Group means and standard deviations for fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity, or p values from 2-sample tests, were extracted and pooled, using standard methods of meta-analysis and metaregression. Fractional anisotropy was decreased in AD in all regions except parietal white matter and internal capsule, while patients with MCI had lower values in all white matter regions except parietally and occipitally. Mean diffusivity was increased in AD in all regions, and in MCI in all but occipital and frontal regions.
Collapse
|
25
|
Tobias MC, O’Neill J, Hudkins M, Bartzokis G, Dean AC, London ED. White-matter abnormalities in brain during early abstinence from methamphetamine abuse. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2010; 209:13-24. [PMID: 20101394 PMCID: PMC2819660 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-009-1761-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2009] [Accepted: 12/14/2009] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies revealed microstructural abnormalities in prefrontal white matter and corpus callosum of long-term abstinent chronic methamphetamine abusers. In view of the importance of the early abstinence period in treatment retention, we compared 23 methamphetamine-dependent subjects abstinent from methamphetamine for 7-13 days with 18 healthy comparison subjects. As certain metabolic changes in the brain first manifest after early abstinence from methamphetamine, it is also possible that microstructural white-matter abnormalities are not yet present during early abstinence. METHODS Using diffusion tensor imaging at 1.5 T, fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured in prefrontal white matter at four inferior-superior levels parallel to the anterior commissure-posterior commissure (AC-PC) plane. We also sampled FA in the corpus callosum at the midline and at eight bilateral, fiber-tract sites in other regions implicated in effects of methamphetamine. RESULTS The methamphetamine group exhibited lower FA in right prefrontal white matter above the AC-PC plane (11.9% lower; p = 0.007), in midline genu corpus callosum (3.9%; p = 0.019), in left and right midcaudal superior corona radiata (11.0% in both hemispheres, p's = 0.020 and 0.016, respectively), and in right perforant fibers (7.3%; p = 0.025). FA in left midcaudal superior corona radiata was correlated with depressive and generalized psychiatric symptoms within the methamphetamine group. CONCLUSIONS The findings support the idea that methamphetamine abuse produces microstructural abnormalities in white matter underlying and interconnecting prefrontal cortices and hippocampal formation. These effects are already present during the first weeks of abstinence from methamphetamine and are linked to psychiatric symptoms assessed during this period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc C. Tobias
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Studies, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Joseph O’Neill
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Studies, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neurosciences, University of California Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza #58-227A, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759 USA
| | - Matthew Hudkins
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Studies, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - George Bartzokis
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Studies, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Andrew C. Dean
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Studies, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Edythe D. London
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Studies, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Posterior paralimbic and frontal metabolite impairments in asymptomatic hypertension with different treatment outcomes. Hypertens Res 2009; 33:67-75. [PMID: 19876064 DOI: 10.1038/hr.2009.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Hypertension is associated with cognitive decline in elderly persons. We studied asymptomatic hypertensive subjects using brain magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy to evaluate metabolite impairments before the appearance of symptoms in patients with different treatment outcomes. In all, 14 healthy controls and 37 asymptomatic hypertensive patients (17 controlled and 20 resistant) underwent brain structural MR and MR spectroscopy of the posterior paralimbic (PPL) area and left frontal white matter. Ischemic burden (IB), global cortical atrophy and microbleeds were analyzed with visual scales. Metabolite ratios involving N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho) and myoinositol (mI) were computed. Ultrasound measurements, including intima-media thickness, plaques and hemodynamic ratios, were obtained. Intergroup differences in IB, atrophy and metabolite ratios, and the atrophy and IB relationship were assessed with parametric and nonparametric statistical tests. In addition, the impacts of demographic, analytic and clinical factors, ischemia and atrophy, and ultrasound measurements on metabolite ratios were assessed. The significance level was set at P<or=0.05. Higher atrophy scores presented with higher total or frontal IB (P<0.05). However, there was no intergroup difference in atrophy and IB. PPL mI/Cr was increased in resistant hypertension (P<0.021), whereas frontal NAA/Cr (P<0.007) showed opposite trends between controlled (increased ratios) and resistant (decreased ratios) hypertension. Unlike PPL mI/Cr, frontal NAA/Cr showed significant correlations with the lipid profile and ultrasound measurements. PPL mI/Cr increases in resistant hypertension, and frontal NAA/Cr diverges between controlled and resistant hypertension before physical and neuropsychological symptoms appear.
Collapse
|
27
|
Mielke MM, Kozauer NA, Chan KCG, George M, Toroney J, Zerrate M, Bandeen-Roche K, Wang MC, Vanzijl P, Pekar JJ, Mori S, Lyketsos CG, Albert M. Regionally-specific diffusion tensor imaging in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Neuroimage 2009; 46:47-55. [PMID: 19457371 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2008] [Revised: 12/27/2008] [Accepted: 01/22/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have shown significant cross-sectional differences among normal controls (NC) mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients in several fiber tracts in the brain, but longitudinal assessment is needed. METHODS We studied 75 participants (25 NC, 25 amnestic MCI, and 25 mild AD) at baseline and 3 months later, with both imaging and clinical evaluations. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was analyzed in regions of interest (ROIs) in: (1) fornix, (2) cingulum bundle, (3) splenium, and (4) cerebral peduncles. Clinical data included assessments of clinical severity and cognitive function. Cross-sectional and longitudinal differences in FA, within each ROI, were analyzed with generalized estimating equations (GEE). RESULTS Cross-sectionally, AD patients had lower FA than NC (p<0.05) at baseline and 3 months in the fornix and anterior portion of the cingulum bundle. Compared to MCI, AD cases had lower FA (p<0.05) in these regions and the splenium at 0 and 3 months. Both the fornix and anterior cingulum correlated across all clinical cognitive scores; lower FA in these ROIs corresponded to worse performance. Over the course of 3 months, when the subjects were clinically stable, the ROIs were also largely stable. CONCLUSIONS Using DTI, findings indicate FA is decreased in specific fiber tracts among groups of subjects that vary along the spectrum from normal to AD, and that this measure is stable over short periods of time. The fornix is a predominant outflow tract of the hippocampus and may be an important indicator of AD progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M M Mielke
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
White matter diffusion alterations in normal women at risk of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2008; 31:1122-31. [PMID: 18801597 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2008.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2008] [Revised: 07/15/2008] [Accepted: 08/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Increased white matter mean diffusivity and decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) has been observed in subjects diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We sought to determine whether similar alterations of white matter occur in normal individuals at risk of AD. Diffusion tensor images were acquired in 42 cognitively normal right-handed women with both a family history of dementia and at least one apolipoprotein E4 allele. These were compared with images from 23 normal women without either AD risk factor. Group analyses were performed using tract-based spatial statistics. Reduced FA was observed in the fronto-occipital and inferior temporal fasciculi (particularly posteriorly), the splenium of the corpus callosum, subcallosal white matter and the cingulum bundle. These findings demonstrate that specific white matter pathways are altered in normal women at increased risk of AD years before the expected onset of cognitive symptoms.
Collapse
|