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Devenyi RA, Hamedani AG. Visual dysfunction in dementia with Lewy bodies. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2024; 24:273-284. [PMID: 38907811 PMCID: PMC11258179 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-024-01349-8] [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] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the literature on visual dysfunction in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), including its mechanisms and clinical implications. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have explored novel aspects of visual dysfunction in DLB, including visual texture agnosia, mental rotation of 3-dimensional drawn objects, and reading fragmented letters. Recent studies have shown parietal and occipital hypoperfusion correlating with impaired visuoconstruction performance. While visual dysfunction in clinically manifest DLB is well recognized, recent work has focused on prodromal or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Lewy body pathology with mixed results. Advances in retinal imaging have recently led to the identification of abnormalities such as parafoveal thinning in DLB. Patients with DLB experience impairment in color perception, form and object identification, space and motion perception, visuoconstruction tasks, and illusions in association with visual cortex and network dysfunction. These symptoms are associated with visual hallucinations, driving impairment, falls, and other negative outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Devenyi
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ali G Hamedani
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Haikal C, Winston GM, Kaplitt MG. Cognitive dysfunction in animal models of human lewy-body dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1369733. [PMID: 39104707 PMCID: PMC11298446 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1369733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairments are a common feature of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's Disease Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. These pathologies are characterized by accumulation of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites as well as neuronal cell death. Alpha-synuclein is the main proteinaceous component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. To model these pathologies in vivo, toxins that selectively target certain neuronal populations or different means of inducing alpha-synuclein aggregation can be used. Alpha-synuclein accumulation can be induced by genetic manipulation, viral vector overexpression or the use of preformed fibrils of alpha-synuclein. In this review, we summarize the cognitive impairments associated with different models of synucleinopathies and relevance to observations in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Haikal
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, New York, NY, United States
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
| | - Graham M. Winston
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, New York, NY, United States
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
| | - Michael G. Kaplitt
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, New York, NY, United States
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
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Okkels N, Grothe MJ, Taylor JP, Hasselbalch SG, Fedorova TD, Knudsen K, van der Zee S, van Laar T, Bohnen NI, Borghammer P, Horsager J. Cholinergic changes in Lewy body disease: implications for presentation, progression and subtypes. Brain 2024; 147:2308-2324. [PMID: 38437860 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic degeneration is significant in Lewy body disease, including Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder. Extensive research has demonstrated cholinergic alterations in the CNS of these disorders. More recently, studies have revealed cholinergic denervation in organs that receive parasympathetic denervation. This enables a comprehensive review of cholinergic changes in Lewy body disease, encompassing both central and peripheral regions, various disease stages and diagnostic categories. Across studies, brain regions affected in Lewy body dementia show equal or greater levels of cholinergic impairment compared to the brain regions affected in Lewy body disease without dementia. This observation suggests a continuum of cholinergic alterations between these disorders. Patients without dementia exhibit relative sparing of limbic regions, whereas occipital and superior temporal regions appear to be affected to a similar extent in patients with and without dementia. This implies that posterior cholinergic cell groups in the basal forebrain are affected in the early stages of Lewy body disorders, while more anterior regions are typically affected later in the disease progression. The topographical changes observed in patients affected by comorbid Alzheimer pathology may reflect a combination of changes seen in pure forms of Lewy body disease and those seen in Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that Alzheimer co-pathology is important to understand cholinergic degeneration in Lewy body disease. Thalamic cholinergic innervation is more affected in Lewy body patients with dementia compared to those without dementia, and this may contribute to the distinct clinical presentations observed in these groups. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, the thalamus is variably affected, suggesting a different sequential involvement of cholinergic cell groups in Alzheimer's disease compared to Lewy body disease. Patients with isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder demonstrate cholinergic denervation in abdominal organs that receive parasympathetic innervation from the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, similar to patients who experienced this sleep disorder in their prodrome. This implies that REM sleep behaviour disorder is important for understanding peripheral cholinergic changes in both prodromal and manifest phases of Lewy body disease. In conclusion, cholinergic changes in Lewy body disease carry implications for understanding phenotypes and the influence of Alzheimer co-pathology, delineating subtypes and pathological spreading routes, and for developing tailored treatments targeting the cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Okkels
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Michel J Grothe
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Reina Sofia Alzheimer's Centre, CIEN Foundation-ISCIII, 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - John-Paul Taylor
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Steen Gregers Hasselbalch
- Danish Dementia Research Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Tatyana D Fedorova
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Karoline Knudsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Sygrid van der Zee
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Teus van Laar
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas I Bohnen
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Neurology Service and GRECC, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Parkinson's Foundation Research Center of Excellence, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Per Borghammer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jacob Horsager
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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Kanel P, Carli G, Vangel R, Roytman S, Bohnen NI. Challenges and innovations in brain PET analysis of neurodegenerative disorders: a mini-review on partial volume effects, small brain region studies, and reference region selection. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1293847. [PMID: 38099203 PMCID: PMC10720329 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1293847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) brain imaging is increasingly utilized in clinical and research settings due to its unique ability to study biological processes and subtle changes in living subjects. However, PET imaging is not without its limitations. Currently, bias introduced by partial volume effect (PVE) and poor signal-to-noise ratios of some radiotracers can hamper accurate quantification. Technological advancements like ultra-high-resolution scanners and improvements in radiochemistry are on the horizon to address these challenges. This will enable the study of smaller brain regions and may require more sophisticated methods (e.g., data-driven approaches like unsupervised clustering) for reference region selection and to improve quantification accuracy. This review delves into some of these critical aspects of PET molecular imaging and offers suggested strategies for improvement. This will be illustrated by showing examples for dopaminergic and cholinergic nerve terminal ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabesh Kanel
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Parkinson’s Foundation Research Center of Excellence, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Giulia Carli
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Robert Vangel
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Stiven Roytman
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Nicolaas I. Bohnen
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Parkinson’s Foundation Research Center of Excellence, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Neurology Service and GRECC, Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Schumacher J, Ray NJ, Hamilton CA, Bergamino M, Donaghy PC, Firbank M, Watson R, Roberts G, Allan L, Barnett N, O'Brien JT, Thomas AJ, Taylor JP. Free water imaging of the cholinergic system in dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:4549-4563. [PMID: 36919460 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Degeneration of cortical cholinergic projections from the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) is characteristic of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), whereas involvement of cholinergic projections from the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) to the thalamus is less clear. METHODS We studied both cholinergic projection systems using a free water-corrected diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) model in the following cases: 46 AD, 48 DLB, 35 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with AD, 38 MCI with Lewy bodies, and 71 controls. RESULTS Free water in the NBM-cortical pathway was increased in both dementia and MCI groups compared to controls and associated with cognition. Free water along the PPN-thalamus tract was increased only in DLB and related to visual hallucinations. Results were largely replicated in an independent cohort. DISCUSSION While NBM-cortical projections degenerate early in AD and DLB, the thalamic cholinergic input from the PPN appears to be more selectively affected in DLB and might associate with visual hallucinations. HIGHLIGHTS Free water in the NBM-cortical cholinergic pathways is increased in AD and DLB. NBM-cortical pathway integrity is related to overall cognitive performance. Free water in the PPN-thalamus cholinergic pathway is only increased in DLB, not AD. PPN-thalamus pathway integrity might be related to visual hallucinations in DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schumacher
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Rostock-Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nicola J Ray
- Health, Psychology and Communities Research Centre, Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Calum A Hamilton
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - Maurizio Bergamino
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Neuroimaging Research, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Paul C Donaghy
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - Michael Firbank
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - Rosie Watson
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
| | - Gemma Roberts
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - Louise Allan
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Nicola Barnett
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - John T O'Brien
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alan J Thomas
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
| | - John-Paul Taylor
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nebraska4 5PL , UK
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Okkels N, Horsager J, Labrador-Espinosa M, Kjeldsen PL, Damholdt MF, Mortensen J, Vestergård K, Knudsen K, Andersen KB, Fedorova TD, Skjærbæk C, Gottrup H, Hansen AK, Grothe MJ, Borghammer P. Severe cholinergic terminal loss in newly diagnosed dementia with Lewy bodies. Brain 2023; 146:3690-3704. [PMID: 37279796 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic changes play a fundamental role in the natural history of dementia with Lewy bodies and Lewy body disease in general. Despite important achievements in the field of cholinergic research, significant challenges remain. We conducted a study with four main objectives: (i) to examine the integrity of cholinergic terminals in newly diagnosed dementia with Lewy bodies; (ii) to disentangle the cholinergic contribution to dementia by comparing cholinergic changes in Lewy body patients with and without dementia; (iii) to investigate the in vivo relationship between cholinergic terminal loss and atrophy of cholinergic cell clusters in the basal forebrain at different stages of Lewy body disease; and (iv) to test whether any asymmetrical degeneration in cholinergic terminals would correlate with motor dysfunction and hypometabolism. To achieve these objectives, we conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of 25 newly diagnosed dementia with Lewy bodies patients (age 74 ± 5 years, 84% male), 15 healthy control subjects (age 75 ± 6 years, 67% male) and 15 Parkinson's disease patients without dementia (age 70 ± 7 years, 60% male). All participants underwent 18F-fluoroetoxybenzovesamicol PET and high-resolution structural MRI. In addition, we collected clinical 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET images. Brain images were normalized to standard space and regional tracer uptake and volumetric indices of basal forebrain degeneration were extracted. Patients with dementia showed spatially distinct reductions in cholinergic terminals across the cerebral cortex, limbic system, thalamus and brainstem. Also, cholinergic terminal binding in cortical and limbic regions correlated quantitatively and spatially with atrophy of the basal forebrain. In contrast, patients without dementia showed decreased cholinergic terminal binding in the cerebral cortex despite preserved basal forebrain volumes. In patients with dementia, cholinergic terminal reductions were most severe in limbic regions and least severe in occipital regions compared to those without dementia. Interhemispheric asymmetry of cholinergic terminals correlated with asymmetry of brain metabolism and lateralized motor function. In conclusion, this study provides robust evidence for severe cholinergic terminal loss in newly diagnosed dementia with Lewy bodies, which correlates with structural imaging measures of cholinergic basal forebrain degeneration. In patients without dementia, our findings suggest that loss of cholinergic terminal function occurs 'before' neuronal cell degeneration. Moreover, the study supports that degeneration of the cholinergic system is important for brain metabolism and may be linked with degeneration in other transmitter systems. Our findings have implications for understanding how cholinergic system pathology contributes to the clinical features of Lewy body disease, changes in brain metabolism and disease progression patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Okkels
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jacob Horsager
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Miguel Labrador-Espinosa
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pernille L Kjeldsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Malene F Damholdt
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Janne Mortensen
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Karsten Vestergård
- Department of Neurology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Karoline Knudsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Katrine B Andersen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Tatyana D Fedorova
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Casper Skjærbæk
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Hanne Gottrup
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Allan K Hansen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Michel J Grothe
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Per Borghammer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Cools R, Kerkhofs K, Leitao RCF, Bormans G. Preclinical Evaluation of Novel PET Probes for Dementia. Semin Nucl Med 2023; 53:599-629. [PMID: 37149435 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The development of novel PET imaging agents that selectively bind specific dementia-related targets can contribute significantly to accurate, differential and early diagnosis of dementia causing diseases and support the development of therapeutic agents. Consequently, in recent years there has been a growing body of literature describing the development and evaluation of potential new promising PET tracers for dementia. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of novel dementia PET probes under development, classified by their target, and pinpoints their preclinical evaluation pathway, typically involving in silico, in vitro and ex/in vivo evaluation. Specific target-associated challenges and pitfalls, requiring extensive and well-designed preclinical experimental evaluation assays to enable successful clinical translation and avoid shortcomings observed for previously developed 'well-established' dementia PET tracers are highlighted in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy Cools
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kobe Kerkhofs
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; NURA, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Renan C F Leitao
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Bormans
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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8
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Ray NJ, Kanel P, Bohnen NI. Atrophy of the Cholinergic Basal Forebrain can Detect Presynaptic Cholinergic Loss in Parkinson's Disease. Ann Neurol 2023; 93:991-998. [PMID: 36597786 PMCID: PMC10192078 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Structural imaging of the cholinergic basal forebrain may provide a biomarker for cholinergic system integrity that can be used in motor and non-motor outcome studies in Parkinson's disease. However, no prior studies have validated these structural metrics with cholinergic nerve terminal in vivo imaging in Parkinson's disease. Here, we correlate cholinergic basal forebrain morphometry with the topography of vesicular acetylcholine transporter in a large Parkinson's sample. METHODS [18 F]-Fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol vesicular acetylcholine transporter positron emission tomography was carried out in 101 non-demented people with Parkinson's (76.24% male, mean age 67.6 ± 7.72 years, disease duration 5.7 ± 4.4 years). Subregional cholinergic basal forebrain volumes were measured using magnetic resonance imaging morphometry. Relationships were assessed via volume-of-interest based correlation analysis. RESULTS Subregional volumes of the cholinergic basal forebrain predicted cholinergic nerve terminal loss, with most robust correlations occurring between the posterior cholinergic basal forebrain and temporofrontal, insula, cingulum, and hippocampal regions, and with modest correlations in parieto-occipital regions. Hippocampal correlations were not limited to the cholinergic basal forebrain subregion Ch1-2. Correlations were also observed in the striatum, thalamus, and brainstem. INTERPRETATION Cholinergic basal forebrain morphometry is a robust predictor of regional cerebral vesicular acetylcholine transporter bindings, especially in the anterior brain. The relative lack of correlation between parieto-occipital binding and basal forebrain volumes may reflect the presence of more diffuse synaptopathy in the posterior cortex due to etiologies that extend well beyond the cholinergic system. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:991-998.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J Ray
- Health, Psychology and Communities Research Centre, Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Prabesh Kanel
- Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Nicolaas I Bohnen
- Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Neurology Service and GRECC, Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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9
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Differential cholinergic systems' changes in progressive supranuclear palsy versus Parkinson's disease: an exploratory analysis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2022; 129:1469-1479. [PMID: 36222971 PMCID: PMC10017092 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02547-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies indicate more severe brainstem cholinergic deficits in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) compared to Parkinson's disease (PD), but the extent and topography of subcortical deficits remains poorly understood. The objective of this study is to investigate differential cholinergic systems changes in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP, n = 8) versus Parkinson's disease (PD, n = 107) and older controls (n = 19) using vesicular acetylcholine transporter [18F]-fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol (FEOBV) positron emission tomography (PET). A whole-brain voxel-based PET analysis using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) software (SPM12) for inter-group comparisons using parametric [18F]-FEOBV DVR images. Voxel-based analyses showed lower FEOBV binding in the tectum, metathalamus, epithalamus, pulvinar, bilateral frontal opercula, anterior insulae, superior temporal pole, anterior cingulum, some striatal subregions, lower brainstem, and cerebellum in PSP versus PD (p < 0.05; false discovery rate-corrected). More severe and diffuse reductions were present in PSP vs controls. Higher frequency of midbrain cholinergic losses was seen in PSP compared to the PD participants using 5th percentile normative cut-off values (χ2 = 4.12, p < 0.05). When compared to PD, these findings suggested disease-specific cholinergic vulnerability in the tectum, striatal cholinergic interneurons, and projections from the pedunculopontine nucleus, medial vestibular nucleus, and the cholinergic forebrain in PSP.
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van der Zee S, Kanel P, Müller MLTM, van Laar T, Bohnen NI. Identification of cholinergic centro-cingulate topography as main contributor to cognitive functioning in Parkinson’s disease: Results from a data-driven approach. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1006567. [PMID: 36337707 PMCID: PMC9631831 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1006567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundDegeneration of the cholinergic system plays an important role in cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using the presynaptic vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) tracer [18F]Fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol ([18F]FEOBV) allows for regional assessment of cholinergic innervation. The purpose of this study was to perform a data-driven analysis to identify co-varying cholinergic regions and to evaluate the relationship of these with cognitive functioning in PD.Materials and methodsA total of 87 non-demented PD patients (77% male, mean age 67.9 ± 7.6 years, disease duration 5.8 ± 4.6 years) and 27 healthy control (HC) subjects underwent [18F]FEOBV brain PET imaging and neuropsychological assessment. A volume-of-interest based factor analysis was performed for both groups to identify cholinergic principal components (PCs).ResultsSeven main PCs were identified for the PD group: (1) bilateral posterior cortex, (2) bilateral subcortical, (3) bilateral centro-cingulate, (4) bilateral frontal, (5) right-sided fronto-temporal, (6) cerebellum, and (7) predominantly left sided temporal regions. A complementary principal component analysis (PCA) analysis in the control group showed substantially different cholinergic covarying patterns. A multivariate linear regression analyses demonstrated PC3, PC5, and PC7, together with motor impairment score, as significant predictors for cognitive functioning in PD. PC3 showed most robust correlations with cognitive functioning (p < 0.001).ConclusionA data-driven approach identified covarying regions in the bilateral peri-central and cingulum cortex as a key determinant of cognitive impairment in PD. Cholinergic vulnerability of the centro-cingulate network appears to be disease-specific for PD rather than being age-related. The cholinergic system may be an important contributor to regional and large scale neural networks involved in cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sygrid van der Zee
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Prabesh Kanel
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Martijn L. T. M. Müller
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Teus van Laar
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas I. Bohnen
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Neurology Service and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- University of Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- *Correspondence: Nicolaas I. Bohnen,
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11
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Preclinical and randomized clinical evaluation of the p38α kinase inhibitor neflamapimod for basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5308. [PMID: 36130946 PMCID: PMC9492778 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32944-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The endosome-associated GTPase Rab5 is a central player in the molecular mechanisms leading to degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN), a long-standing target for drug development. As p38α is a Rab5 activator, we hypothesized that inhibition of this kinase holds potential as an approach to treat diseases associated with BFCN loss. Herein, we report that neflamapimod (oral small molecule p38α inhibitor) reduces Rab5 activity, reverses endosomal pathology, and restores the numbers and morphology of BFCNs in a mouse model that develops BFCN degeneration. We also report on the results of an exploratory (hypothesis-generating) phase 2a randomized double-blind 16-week placebo-controlled clinical trial (Clinical trial registration: NCT04001517/EudraCT #2019-001566-15) of neflamapimod in mild-to-moderate dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), a disease in which BFCN degeneration is an important driver of disease expression. A total of 91 participants, all receiving background cholinesterase inhibitor therapy, were randomized 1:1 between neflamapimod 40 mg or matching placebo capsules (taken orally twice-daily if weight <80 kg or thrice-daily if weight >80 kg). Neflamapimod does not show an effect in the clinical study on the primary endpoint, a cognitive-test battery. On two secondary endpoints, a measure of functional mobility and a dementia rating-scale, improvements were seen that are consistent with an effect on BFCN function. Neflamapimod treatment is well-tolerated with no study drug associated treatment discontinuations. The combined preclinical and clinical observations inform on the validity of the Rab5-based pathogenic model of cholinergic degeneration and provide a foundation for confirmatory (hypothesis-testing) clinical evaluation of neflamapimod in DLB.
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12
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Prange S, Theis H, Banwinkler M, van Eimeren T. Molecular Imaging in Parkinsonian Disorders—What’s New and Hot? Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12091146. [PMID: 36138882 PMCID: PMC9496752 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Highlights Abstract Neurodegenerative parkinsonian disorders are characterized by a great diversity of clinical symptoms and underlying neuropathology, yet differential diagnosis during lifetime remains probabilistic. Molecular imaging is a powerful method to detect pathological changes in vivo on a cellular and molecular level with high specificity. Thereby, molecular imaging enables to investigate functional changes and pathological hallmarks in neurodegenerative disorders, thus allowing to better differentiate between different forms of degenerative parkinsonism, improve the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis and disentangle the pathophysiology of disease-related symptoms. The past decade led to significant progress in the field of molecular imaging, including the development of multiple new and promising radioactive tracers for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) as well as novel analytical methods. Here, we review the most recent advances in molecular imaging for the diagnosis, prognosis, and mechanistic understanding of parkinsonian disorders. First, advances in imaging of neurotransmission abnormalities, metabolism, synaptic density, inflammation, and pathological protein aggregation are reviewed, highlighting our renewed understanding regarding the multiplicity of neurodegenerative processes involved in parkinsonian disorders. Consequently, we review the role of molecular imaging in the context of disease-modifying interventions to follow neurodegeneration, ensure stratification, and target engagement in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Prange
- Multimodal Neuroimaging Group, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, UMR 5229, Université de Lyon, 69675 Bron, France
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (T.v.E.); Tel.: +49-221-47882843 (T.v.E.)
| | - Hendrik Theis
- Multimodal Neuroimaging Group, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Magdalena Banwinkler
- Multimodal Neuroimaging Group, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Thilo van Eimeren
- Multimodal Neuroimaging Group, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (T.v.E.); Tel.: +49-221-47882843 (T.v.E.)
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13
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Tsanov M. Basal Forebrain Impairment: Understanding the Mnemonic Function of the Septal Region Translates in Therapeutic Advances. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:916499. [PMID: 35712645 PMCID: PMC9194835 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.916499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The basal forebrain is one of the three major brain circuits involved in episodic memory formation together with the hippocampus and the diencephalon. The dysfunction of each of these regions is known to cause anterograde amnesia. While the hippocampal pyramidal neurons are known to encode episodic information and the diencephalic structures are known to provide idiothetic information, the contribution of the basal forebrain to memory formation has been exclusively associated with septo-hippocampal cholinergic signaling. Research data from the last decade broadened our understanding about the role of septal region in memory formation. Animal studies revealed that septal neurons process locomotor, rewarding and attentional stimuli. The integration of these signals results in a systems model for the mnemonic function of the medial septum that could guide new therapeutic strategies for basal forebrain impairment (BFI). BFI includes the disorders characterized with basal forebrain amnesia and neurodegenerative disorders that affect the basal forebrain. Here, we demonstrate how the updated model of septal mnemonic function can lead to innovative translational treatment approaches that include pharmacological, instrumental and behavioral techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Tsanov
- UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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14
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Xia Y, Eeles E, Fripp J, Pinsker D, Thomas P, Latter M, Doré V, Fazlollahi A, Bourgeat P, Villemagne VL, Coulson EJ, Rose S. Reduced cortical cholinergic innervation measured using [ 18F]-FEOBV PET imaging correlates with cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 34:102992. [PMID: 35344804 PMCID: PMC8958543 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.102992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Topographic FEOBV binding correlates with domain-specific cognitive performance. Global and regional reductions in cholinergic innervation are observed in MCI. Global FEOBV SUVR is associated with basal forebrain and hippocampal volumes. Our results provide proof of concept for FEOBV PET to assess cholinergic terminal integrity.
Dysfunction of the cholinergic basal forebrain (BF) neurotransmitter system, including cholinergic axon denervation of the cortex, plays an important role in cognitive decline and dementia. A validated method to directly quantify cortical cholinergic terminal integrity enables exploration of the involvement of this system in diverse cognitive profiles associated with dementia, particularly at a prodromal stage. In this study, we used the radiotracer [18F]-fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol (FEOBV) as a direct measure of cholinergic terminal integrity and investigated its value for the assessment of cholinergic denervation in the cortex and associated cognitive deficits. Eighteen participants (8 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 10 cognitively unimpaired controls) underwent neuropsychological assessment and brain imaging using FEOBV and [18F]-florbetaben for amyloid-β imaging. The MCI group showed a significant global reduction of FEOBV retention in the cortex and in the parietal and occipital cortices specifically compared to the control group. The global cortical FEOBV retention of all participants positively correlated with the BF, hippocampus and grey matter volumes, but no association was found between the global FEOBV retention and amyloid-β status. Topographic profiles from voxel-wise analysis of FEOBV images revealed significant positive correlations with the cognitive domains associated with the underlying cortical areas. Overlapping profiles of decreased FEOBV were identified in correlation with impairment in executive function, attention and language, which covered the anterior cingulate gyrus, olfactory cortex, calcarine cortex, middle temporal gyrus and caudate nucleus. However, the absence of cortical atrophy in these areas suggested that reduced cholinergic terminal integrity in the cortex is an important factor underlying the observed cognitive decline in early dementia. Our results provide support for the utility and validity of FEOBV PET for quantitative assessment of region-specific cholinergic terminal integrity that could potentially be used for early detection of cholinergic dysfunction in dementia following further validation in larger cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xia
- The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Eamonn Eeles
- Internal Medicine Service, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Medicine, Northside Clinical School, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Dementia & Neuro Mental Health Research Unit, UQCCR, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jurgen Fripp
- The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Donna Pinsker
- Internal Medicine Service, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Paul Thomas
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Melissa Latter
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Vincent Doré
- The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amir Fazlollahi
- The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pierrick Bourgeat
- The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Victor L Villemagne
- Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Coulson
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen Rose
- The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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15
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van der Zee S, Kanel P, Gerritsen MJJ, Boertien JM, Slomp AC, Müller MLTM, Bohnen NI, Spikman JM, van Laar T. Altered Cholinergic Innervation in De Novo Parkinson's Disease with and without Cognitive Impairment. Mov Disord 2022; 37:713-723. [PMID: 35037719 PMCID: PMC9306739 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Altered cholinergic innervation plays a putative role in cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) at least in advanced stages. Identification of the relationship between cognitive impairment and cholinergic innervation early in the disease will provide better insight into disease prognosis and possible early intervention. Objective The aim was to assess regional cholinergic innervation status in de novo patients with PD, with and without cognitive impairment. Methods Fifty‐seven newly diagnosed, treatment‐naive, PD patients (32 men, mean age 64.6 ± 8.2 years) and 10 healthy controls (5 men, mean age 54.6 ± 6.0 years) were included. All participants underwent cholinergic [18F]fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol positron emission tomography and detailed neuropsychological assessment. PD patients were classified as either cognitively normal (PD‐NC) or mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI). Whole brain voxel‐based group comparisons were performed. Results Results show bidirectional cholinergic innervation changes in PD. Both PD‐NC and PD‐MCI groups showed significant cortical cholinergic denervation compared to controls (P < 0.05, false discovery rate corrected), primarily in the posterior cortical regions. Higher‐than‐normal binding was most prominent in PD‐NC in both cortical and subcortical regions, including the cerebellum, cingulate cortex, putamen, gyrus rectus, hippocampus, and amygdala. Conclusion Altered cholinergic innervation is already present in de novo patients with PD. Posterior cortical cholinergic losses were present in all patients independent of cognitive status. Higher‐than‐normal binding in cerebellar, frontal, and subcortical regions in cognitively intact patients may reflect compensatory cholinergic upregulation in early‐stage PD. Limited or failing cholinergic upregulation may play an important role in early, clinically evident cognitive impairment in PD. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
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Affiliation(s)
- Sygrid van der Zee
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Prabesh Kanel
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Marleen J J Gerritsen
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey M Boertien
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne C Slomp
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn L T M Müller
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Nicolaas I Bohnen
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Neurology Service and GRECC, Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,University of Michigan Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellent, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jacoba M Spikman
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Division of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Teus van Laar
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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16
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Kanel P, van der Zee S, Sanchez-Catasus CA, Koeppe RA, Scott PJ, van Laar T, Albin RL, Bohnen NI. Cerebral topography of vesicular cholinergic transporter changes in neurologically intact adults: A [18F]FEOBV PET study. AGING BRAIN 2022; 2. [PMID: 35465252 PMCID: PMC9028526 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2022.100039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine plays a major role in brain cognitive and motor functions with regional cholinergic terminal loss common in several neurodegenerative disorders. We describe age-related declines of regional cholinergic neuron terminal density in vivo using the positron emission tomography (PET) ligand [18F](–)5-Fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol ([18F] FEOBV), a vesamicol analogue selectively binding to the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). A total of 42 subjects without clinical evidence of neurologic disease (mean 50.55 [range 20–80] years, 24 Male/18 Female) underwent [18F]FEOBV brain PET imaging. We used SPM based voxel-wise statistical analysis to perform whole brain voxel-based parametric analysis (family-wise error corrected, FWE) and to also extract the most significant clusters of regions correlating with aging with gender as nuisance variable. Age-related VAChT binding reductions were found in primary sensorimotor cortex, visual cortex, caudate nucleus, anterior to mid-cingulum, bilateral insula, para-hippocampus, hippocampus, anterior temporal lobes/amygdala, dorsomedial thalamus, metathalamus, and cerebellum (gender and FWE-corrected, P < 0.05). These findings show a specific topographic pattern of regional vulnerability of cholinergic nerve terminals across multiple cholinergic systems accompanying aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabesh Kanel
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- University of Michigan Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Corresponding author at: Functional Neuroimaging, Cognitive and Mobility Laboratory, Departments of Radiology and Neurology, University of Michigan, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Box 362, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-9755, USA.
| | - Sygrid van der Zee
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Carlos A. Sanchez-Catasus
- Department of Neurology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert A. Koeppe
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peter J.H. Scott
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Teus van Laar
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Roger L. Albin
- University of Michigan Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Neurology Service and GRECC, VAAAHS, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nicolaas I. Bohnen
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- University of Michigan Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Neurology Service and GRECC, VAAAHS, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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17
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Watanabe H, Bagarinao E, Maesawa S, Hara K, Kawabata K, Ogura A, Ohdake R, Shima S, Mizutani Y, Ueda A, Ito M, Katsuno M, Sobue G. Characteristics of Neural Network Changes in Normal Aging and Early Dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:747359. [PMID: 34880745 PMCID: PMC8646086 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.747359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand the mechanisms underlying preserved and impaired cognitive function in healthy aging and dementia, respectively, the spatial relationships of brain networks and mechanisms of their resilience should be understood. The hub regions of the brain, such as the multisensory integration and default mode networks, are critical for within- and between-network communication, remain well-preserved during aging, and play an essential role in compensatory processes. On the other hand, these brain hubs are the preferred sites for lesions in neurodegenerative dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease. Disrupted primary information processing networks, such as the auditory, visual, and sensorimotor networks, may lead to overactivity of the multisensory integration networks and accumulation of pathological proteins that cause dementia. At the cellular level, the brain hub regions contain many synapses and require a large amount of energy. These regions are rich in ATP-related gene expression and had high glucose metabolism as demonstrated on positron emission tomography (PET). Importantly, the number and function of mitochondria, which are the center of ATP production, decline by about 8% every 10 years. Dementia patients often have dysfunction of the ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy-lysosome systems, which require large amounts of ATP. If there is low energy supply but the demand is high, the risk of disease can be high. Imbalance between energy supply and demand may cause accumulation of pathological proteins and play an important role in the development of dementia. This energy imbalance may explain why brain hub regions are vulnerable to damage in different dementias. Here, we review (1) the characteristics of gray matter network, white matter network, and resting state functional network changes related to resilience in healthy aging, (2) the mode of resting state functional network disruption in neurodegenerative dementia, and (3) the cellular mechanisms associated with the disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohisa Watanabe
- Department of Neurology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
- Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Epifanio Bagarinao
- Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Satoshi Maesawa
- Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Hara
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kawabata
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Aya Ogura
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Reiko Ohdake
- Department of Neurology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
- Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sayuri Shima
- Department of Neurology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Mizutani
- Department of Neurology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Akihiro Ueda
- Department of Neurology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Mizuki Ito
- Department of Neurology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, 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
- Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan
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18
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Molecular Imaging of the Cholinergic System in Alzheimer and Lewy Body Dementias: Expanding Views. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2021; 21:52. [PMID: 34545424 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-021-01140-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Brain cholinergic denervation is a major feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We reviewed the topography assessed by a cholinergic molecular imaging study in these two major types of dementia. A small meta-analysis directly comparing vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) PET scans of AD vs. DLB patients is presented. RECENT FINDINGS VAChT PET studies showed evidence of extensive cortical cholinergic denervation in both forms of dementia, while multiple subcortical structures were also in DLB. Novel analysis revealed evidence of metathalamic denervation in AD, and epithalamus, premotor/sensorimotor cortical, and striatal losses in DLB. Topographically distinct cortical and subcortical cholinergic lesions can distinguish AD and DLB, and new structures have been highlighted here. Differential vulnerability of specific cholinergic projections is likely associated with specific clinical features of these disorders. Improved understanding of the mechanisms and roles of cholinergic neurotransmission in regions with cholinergic deficits may lead to symptomatic therapies.
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19
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Geula C, Dunlop SR, Ayala I, Kawles AS, Flanagan ME, Gefen T, Mesulam MM. Basal forebrain cholinergic system in the dementias: Vulnerability, resilience, and resistance. J Neurochem 2021; 158:1394-1411. [PMID: 34272732 PMCID: PMC8458251 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) provide the primary source of cholinergic innervation of the human cerebral cortex. They are involved in the cognitive processes of learning, memory, and attention. These neurons are differentially vulnerable in various neuropathologic entities that cause dementia. This review summarizes the relevance to BFCN of neuropathologic markers associated with dementias, including the plaques and tangles of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the Lewy bodies of diffuse Lewy body disease, the tauopathy of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TAU) and the TDP-43 proteinopathy of FTLD-TDP. Each of these proteinopathies has a different relationship to BFCN and their corticofugal axons. Available evidence points to early and substantial degeneration of the BFCN in AD and diffuse Lewy body disease. In AD, the major neurodegenerative correlate is accumulation of phosphotau in neurofibrillary tangles. However, these neurons are less vulnerable to the tauopathy of FTLD. An intriguing finding is that the intracellular tau of AD causes destruction of the BFCN, whereas that of FTLD does not. This observation has profound implications for exploring the impact of different species of tauopathy on neuronal survival. The proteinopathy of FTLD-TDP shows virtually no abnormal inclusions within the BFCN. Thus, the BFCN are highly vulnerable to the neurodegenerative effects of tauopathy in AD, resilient to the neurodegenerative effect of tauopathy in FTLD and apparently resistant to the emergence of proteinopathy in FTLD-TDP and perhaps also in Pick's disease. Investigations are beginning to shed light on the potential mechanisms of this differential vulnerability and their implications for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changiz Geula
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sara R Dunlop
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ivan Ayala
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Allegra S Kawles
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Margaret E Flanagan
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tamar Gefen
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Marek-Marsel Mesulam
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Influence of Acetylcholine Esterase Inhibitors and Memantine, Clinically Approved for Alzheimer's Dementia Treatment, on Intestinal Properties of the Mouse. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031015. [PMID: 33498392 PMCID: PMC7864027 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Four drugs are currently approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by the FDA. Three of these drugs—donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine—belong to the class of acetylcholine esterase inhibitors. Memantine, a NMDA receptor antagonist, represents the fourth and a combination of donepezil and memantine the fifth treatment option. Recently, the gut and its habitants, its microbiome, came into focus of AD research and added another important factor to therapeutic considerations. While the first data provide evidence that AD patients might carry an altered microbiome, the influence of administered drugs on gut properties and commensals have been largely ignored so far. However, the occurrence of digestive side effects with these drugs and the knowledge that cholinergic transmission is crucial for several gut functions enforces the question if, and how, this medication influences the gastrointestinal system and its microbial stocking. Here, we investigated aspects such as microbial viability, colonic propulsion, and properties of enteric neurons, affected by assumed intestinal concentration of the four drugs using the mouse as a model organism. All ex vivo administered drugs revealed no direct effect on fecal bacteria viability and only a high dosage of memantine resulted in reduced biofilm formation of E. coli. Memantine was additionally the only compound that elevated calcium influx in enteric neurons, while all acetylcholine esterase inhibitors significantly reduced esterase activity in colonic tissue specimen and prolonged propulsion time. Both, acetylcholine esterase inhibitors and memantine, had no effect on general viability and neurite outgrowth of enteric neurons. In sum, our findings indicate that all AD symptomatic drugs have the potential to affect distinct intestinal functions and with this—directly or indirectly—microbial commensals.
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21
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Craig CE, Ray NJ, Müller ML, Bohnen NI. New Developments in Cholinergic Imaging in Alzheimer and Lewy Body Disorders. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2020; 7:278-286. [PMID: 33777646 PMCID: PMC7992054 DOI: 10.1007/s40473-020-00221-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This paper aims to review novel trends in cholinergic neuroimaging in Alzheimer and Lewy body parkinsonian disorders. RECENT FINDINGS The spectrum of cholinergic imaging is expanding with the availability of spatially more precise radioligands that allow assessment of previously less recognized subcortical and cortical structures with more dense cholinergic innervation. In addition, advances in MRI techniques now allow quantitative structural or functional assessment of both the cholinergic forebrain and the pedunculopontine nucleus, which may serve as non-invasive prognostic predictors. Multimodal imaging approaches, such as PET-MRI or multiligand PET offer new insights into the dynamic and interactive roles of the cholinergic system at both local and larger-scale neural network levels. SUMMARY Our understanding of the heterogeneous roles of the cholinergic system in age-related diseases is evolving. Multimodal imaging approaches that provide complimentary views of the cholinergic system will be necessary to shed light on the impact of cholinergic degeneration on regional and large-scale neural networks that underpin clinical symptom manifestation in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chesney E. Craig
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Nicola J. Ray
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Martijn L.T.M. Müller
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
| | - Nicolaas I. Bohnen
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
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22
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van der Zee S, Müller MLTM, Kanel P, van Laar T, Bohnen NI. Cholinergic Denervation Patterns Across Cognitive Domains in Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2020; 36:642-650. [PMID: 33137238 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cholinergic system plays a key role in cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous acetylcholinesterase positron emission tomography imaging studies found memory, attention, and executive function correlates of global cortical cholinergic losses. Vesicular acetylcholine transporter positron emission tomography allows for more accurate topographic assessment of not only cortical but also subcortical cholinergic changes. OBJECTIVE The objectiveof this study was to investigate the topographic relationship between cognitive functioning and regional cholinergic innervation in patients with PD. METHODS A total of 86 nondemented patients with PD (mean ± SD age 67.8 ± 7.6 years, motor disease duration 5.8 ± 4.6 years), and 12 healthy control participants (age 67.8 ± 7.8 years) underwent cholinergic [18 F]Fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol positron emission tomography imaging. Patients with PD underwent neuropsychological assessment. The z scores for each cognitive domain were determined using an age-matched, gender-matched, and educational level-matched control group. Correlations between domain-specific cognitive functioning and cholinergic innervation were examined, controlling for motor impairments and levodopa equivalent dose. Additional correlational analyses were performed using a mask limited to PD versus normal aging binding differences to assess for disease-specific versus normal aging effects. RESULTS Voxel-based whole-brain analysis demonstrated partial overlapping topography across cognitive domains, with most robust correlations in the domains of memory, attention, and executive functioning (P < 0.01, corrected for multiple comparisons). The shared pattern included the cingulate cortex, insula/operculum, and (visual) thalamus. CONCLUSION Our results confirm and expand on previous observations of cholinergic system involvement in cognitive functioning in PD. The topographic overlap across domains may reflect a partially shared cholinergic functionality underlying cognitive functioning, representing a combination of disease-specific and aging effects. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sygrid van der Zee
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Neurology and Department of Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn L T M Müller
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Prabesh Kanel
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Teus van Laar
- Department of Neurology and Department of Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas I Bohnen
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Neurology Service and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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