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Bishop DVM, Woodhead ZVJ, Watkins KE. Approaches to Measuring Language Lateralisation: An Exploratory Study Comparing Two fMRI Methods and Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound. NEUROBIOLOGY OF LANGUAGE (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 5:409-431. [PMID: 38911461 PMCID: PMC11192441 DOI: 10.1162/nol_a_00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
In this exploratory study we compare and contrast two methods for deriving a laterality index (LI) from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data: the weighted bootstrapped mean from the LI Toolbox (toolbox method), and a novel method that uses subtraction of activations from homologous regions in left and right hemispheres to give an array of difference scores (mirror method). Data came from 31 individuals who had been selected to include a high proportion of people with atypical laterality when tested with functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound (fTCD). On two tasks, word generation and semantic matching, the mirror method generally gave better agreement with fTCD laterality than the toolbox method, both for individual regions of interest, and for a large region corresponding to the middle cerebral artery. LI estimates from this method had much smaller confidence intervals (CIs) than those from the toolbox method; with the mirror method, most participants were reliably lateralised to left or right, whereas with the toolbox method, a higher proportion were categorised as bilateral (i.e., the CI for the LI spanned zero). Reasons for discrepancies between fMRI methods are discussed: one issue is that the toolbox method averages the LI across a wide range of thresholds. Furthermore, examination of task-related t-statistic maps from the two hemispheres showed that language lateralisation is evident in regions characterised by deactivation, and so key information may be lost by ignoring voxel activations below zero, as is done with conventional estimates of the LI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy V. M. Bishop
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Zoe V. J. Woodhead
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kate E. Watkins
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Manjatika AT, Davimes JG, Mwakikunga A. Acquisition of cadavers for anatomy education and research in Malawi. Ann Anat 2024; 253:152212. [PMID: 38244943 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2024.152212] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of human cadaveric dissection forms an essential part of teaching anatomy to health sciences students in Malawi. Despite worldwide struggles in acquiring sufficient human cadavers for anatomy education, the current recommendations on the best anatomy practices require the use of cadavers exclusively from the body donation programs. The current study aims to describe the sources of cadaveric bodies used for anatomy education in the Malawian context and reflect on the feasibility of using cadavers from the body donation program only. METHODS A retrospective audit of the cadaveric records for the 2006-2022 academic years at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences was done. The perceived challenges when sourcing the cadavers were identified and described based on the authors experiences in Malawi. RESULTS The majority (97.3%) of the cadavers used between 2006 and 2022 were unclaimed bodies. The mean age of the cadavers was 45 years. Most (95.6%) of the unclaimed bodies were males. All the unclaimed bodies were sourced from hospitals. The body donation program in Malawi was patronized by populations of European descent only. Strongly held sociocultural and religious beliefs as well as economic reasons were perceived as significant barriers to acquiring cadavers of the indigenous Malawians through the body donation program. CONCLUSION Cadavers for anatomy education in Malawi are mainly from unclaimed bodies, similar to other African countries. The authors support the transition from using "mostly unclaimed bodies (and, less often, body donation)" to using "mostly body donation (and, less often, unclaimed bodies)" through awareness campaigns that are targeted to address the prevailing challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Tsalani Manjatika
- School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Anatomy Division, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi; School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Joshua Gabriel Davimes
- School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anthony Mwakikunga
- School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Anatomy Division, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
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Sibiya G, Omotoso BR, Harrichandparsad R, Lazarus L. Exploring the anatomical configurations of the cerebral arteries in a cohort of South African patients. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6060. [PMID: 38480803 PMCID: PMC10937655 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56767-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The cerebral arteries, specifically the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA), work together with the smaller calibre arteries to provide effective communication between the anterior and posterior circuits of the brain via the circle of Willis (CoW). Morphologic variations of the cerebral arteries and the CoW may alter blood flow to the brain, resulting in intracranial vascular disorders associated with stroke, and aneurysms. This study aimed to document the morphology of the cerebral arteries and the CoW in the South African population. Two hundred and thirty-nine computed tomography angiography scans were assessed. Cerebral arteries and CoW normal morphology and variations were classified as complete, absent, or hypoplastic. The ACA A1 was absent in 4.91%, hypoplastic in 30.40%, fenestrated in 1.06%, and typical in 63.6%. The ACA A2 was absent in 0.42%, hypoplastic in 26.28%, and typical in 69.44%. We found triple ACA A2 in 2.98%, azygos in 1.28% and fenestrated in 1.28%. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) was hypoplastic in 7.35% and typical in 92.64%. The PCA was hypoplastic in 28.74% and typical in 71.25%. Knowledge of the configuration of the CoW plays a significant role in guiding therapeutic decision-making in treating various neurovascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gugulethu Sibiya
- Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Bukola R Omotoso
- Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
| | - Rohen Harrichandparsad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lelika Lazarus
- Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa
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Diljohn J, Rampersad F, Maharaj P, Parmesar K. Anatomical variations in the circle of Willis on magnetic resonance angiography in a south Trinidad population. BJR Open 2024; 6:tzad002. [PMID: 38352180 PMCID: PMC10860579 DOI: 10.1093/bjro/tzad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives This article seeks to determine the prevalence of a complete circle of Willis (CoW) and its common morphological variations in a south Trinidad population, while also investigating the influence of gender, age, and ethnicity on CoW morphology. Methods A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was done on the magnetic resonance images for consecutive patients who had a brain MRI/magnetic resonance angiography at a tertiary health institution in south Trinidad between October 2019 and September 2020. Patients with significant cerebrovascular disease and/or a history of prior neurosurgical intervention were excluded. Results A complete CoW was seen in 24.3%, with more complete circles observed in younger participants (≤45 years) and Afro-Trinidadians. No gender predilection for a complete CoW was demonstrated. The most common variations in the anterior and posterior parts of the circle were a hypoplastic anterior communicating artery (8.6%, n = 13) and bilateral aplastic posterior communicating arteries (18.4%, n = 28), respectively. Conclusions Significant variations exist in the CoW of a south Trinidad population with a frequency of complete in 24.3%, and more complete circles in younger patients and Afro-Trinidadians. Gender did not influence CoW morphology. Advances in knowledge Structural abnormalities in the CoW may be linked to future incidence of cerebrovascular diseases and should therefore be communicated to the referring physician in the written radiology report. Knowledge of variant anatomy and its frequency for a particular populations is also required by neurosurgeons and neuro-interventional radiologists to help with preprocedural planning and to minimize complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Diljohn
- Radiology Unit, Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (UWI-STA), Trinidad, West Indies
| | - Fidel Rampersad
- Radiology Unit, Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (UWI-STA), Trinidad, West Indies
| | - Paramanand Maharaj
- Radiology Unit, Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (UWI-STA), Trinidad, West Indies
| | - Kristyn Parmesar
- Radiology Department, Arima General Hospital, Trinidad, West Indies
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Sablić S, Dolić K, Kraljević I, Budimir Mršić D, Čičmir-Vestić M, Benzon B, Lovrić Kojundžić S, Marinović Guić M. The Presence of Communicating Arteries in the Circle of Willis Is Associated with Higher Rate of Functional Recovery after Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3008. [PMID: 38002008 PMCID: PMC10669712 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11113008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the world's second leading cause of mortality. An established method for treating stroke patients in acute settings is endovascular therapy (EVT). However, the correlation of the successful endovascular treatment of AIS with the presence of communicating arteries in the circle of Willis needs to be proven. Our study examined clinical and radiological data of 158 consecutive patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) at our comprehensive stroke center. We analyzed their CT angiograms and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to assess anatomical variants of Willis' circle and formed two groups-collateral-negative and collateral-positive group. The first group included patients with aplasia of both anterior (ACoA) and posterior communicating Artery (PCoA). The second group included patients that have at least one communicating artery (either anterior or posterior). We evaluated their reperfusion outcomes and functional recovery three months later. Our results showed that patients with communicating arteries had smaller areas of infarction on post-interventional CT and higher rates of functional recovery (Modified Rankin Score). The ACoA had a higher impact on early and late outcomes, confirmed by lower control CT scores and more favorable functional recovery. Therefore, anatomic variants of Willis' circle should be considered as a significant prognostic factor in AIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sablić
- Clinical Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
| | - Krešimir Dolić
- Clinical Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
- University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
- University Department of Health Studies of the University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Ivan Kraljević
- Clinical Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
| | - Danijela Budimir Mršić
- Clinical Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
- University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
- University Department of Health Studies of the University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Mate Čičmir-Vestić
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Benjamin Benzon
- University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Sanja Lovrić Kojundžić
- Clinical Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
- University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
- University Department of Health Studies of the University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Maja Marinović Guić
- Clinical Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; (S.S.)
- University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia
- University Department of Health Studies of the University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
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