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Bari BA, Reddy P, Wininger BA. Cushing Disease Psychosis Identified as Postoperative Psychosis. J Acad Consult Liaison Psychiatry 2024; 65:317-318. [PMID: 38307461 PMCID: PMC11179955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2024.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Bilal A Bari
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Paavani Reddy
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Bryce A Wininger
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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2
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Zhang CD, Ioachimescu AG. Challenges in the postsurgical recovery of cushing syndrome: glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1353543. [PMID: 38681763 PMCID: PMC11045978 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1353543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome is a challenging clinical phenomenon that can complicate the postsurgical recovery of Cushing syndrome. It is characterized by physical tolerance and dependence to supraphysiologic glucocorticoid exposure during active Cushing syndrome followed by the abrupt decline in cortisol levels after surgical treatment. The symptoms of glucocorticoid withdrawal often overlap with those of postoperative adrenal insufficiency and can be difficult for patients to cope with and for clinicians to treat. This mini review will discuss the clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, and management of glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome while highlighting recent data in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine D. Zhang
- Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Adriana G. Ioachimescu
- Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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Puglisi S, Perini AME, Botto C, Oliva F, Terzolo M. Long-Term Consequences of Cushing Syndrome: A Systematic Literature Review. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:e901-e919. [PMID: 37536275 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
It is held that the condition of endogenous chronic hypersecretion of cortisol (Cushing syndrome, CS), causes several comorbidities, including cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, musculoskeletal alterations, as well as cognitive and mood impairment. Therefore, CS has an adverse impact on the quality of life and life expectancy of affected patients. What remains unclear is whether disease remission may induce a normalization of the associated comorbid conditions. In order to retrieve updated information on this issue, we conducted a systematic search using the Pubmed and Embase databases to identify scientific papers published from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2022. The initial search identified 1907 potentially eligible records. Papers were screened for eligibility and a total of 79 were included and classified by the main topic (cardiometabolic risk, thromboembolic disease, bone impairment, muscle damage, mood disturbances and quality of life, cognitive impairment, and mortality). Although the limited patient numbers in many studies preclude definitive conclusions, most recent evidence supports the persistence of increased morbidity and mortality even after long-term remission. It is conceivable that the degree of normalization of the associated comorbid conditions depends on individual factors and characteristics of the conditions. These findings highlight the need for early recognition and effective management of patients with CS, which should include active treatment of the related comorbid conditions. In addition, it is important to maintain a surveillance strategy in all patients with CS, even many years after disease remission, and to actively pursue specific treatment of comorbid conditions beyond cortisol normalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Puglisi
- Internal Medicine, San Luigi Hospital, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Elena Perini
- Internal Medicine, San Luigi Hospital, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Cristina Botto
- Internal Medicine, San Luigi Hospital, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Francesco Oliva
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University Hospital "Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino", University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Terzolo
- Internal Medicine, San Luigi Hospital, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
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Sleurs C, Fletcher P, Mallucci C, Avula S, Ajithkumar T. Neurocognitive Dysfunction After Treatment for Pediatric Brain Tumors: Subtype-Specific Findings and Proposal for Brain Network-Informed Evaluations. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1873-1886. [PMID: 37615933 PMCID: PMC10661593 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01096-9] [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: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of long-term survivors of pediatric brain tumors requires us to incorporate the most recent knowledge derived from cognitive neuroscience into their oncological treatment. As the lesion itself, as well as each treatment, can cause specific neural damage, the long-term neurocognitive outcomes are highly complex and challenging to assess. The number of neurocognitive studies in this population grows exponentially worldwide, motivating modern neuroscience to provide guidance in follow-up before, during and after treatment. In this review, we provide an overview of structural and functional brain connectomes and their role in the neuropsychological outcomes of specific brain tumor types. Based on this information, we propose a theoretical neuroscientific framework to apply appropriate neuropsychological and imaging follow-up for future clinical care and rehabilitation trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Sleurs
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, 5037 AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Paul Fletcher
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Wellcome Trust MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Conor Mallucci
- Department of Neurosurgery, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK
| | - Shivaram Avula
- Department of Radiology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK
| | - Thankamma Ajithkumar
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospital NHS Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
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Ramos-Leví AM, Cañada E, Matias-Guiu JA. Cognitive dysfunction in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency: A systematic review. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2023; 30:802-813. [PMID: 35767730 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2022.2090256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Addison's disease (AD) entails a chronic insufficient production of gluco- and mineralocorticoids. Fatigue and decreased quality of life are frequently reported symptoms, but little is known about its effects on cognition. This study aims to explore the existence of cognitive impairment in patients with AD and the influence of treatment regimens. We conducted a systematic review. Inclusion criteria were met by 10 articles, most of them ranked as intermediate quality. Three studies analyzed the relationship between AD and cognitive impairment; one explored the effect of delaying treatment showing no effect on cognitive performance, and another one studied the effect of fludrocortisone treatment. Episodic memory was the most frequent cognitive domain impaired across studies, in comparison to healthy controls. Two papers investigated the relationship between impaired sleep quality and poor cognitive performance. Two studies related cognitive impairments with hypocortisolism-derived brain neuroglycopenia. Two studies investigated the effect of DHEA substitution. In conclusion, patients exhibit a moderately reduced performance in verbal learning. The pathophysiology of this impairment is likely multifactorial. Future studies should include larger sample sizes, the use of comprehensive and multi-domain neuropsychological and behavioral protocols, and neuroimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Ramos-Leví
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Princesa, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emma Cañada
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Princesa, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi A Matias-Guiu
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación San Carlos, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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Papakokkinou E, Ragnarsson O. Functional brain alterations in Cushing's syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1163482. [PMID: 37152946 PMCID: PMC10160675 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1163482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment and affective disorders are common in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). In fact, as an effect of prolonged cortisol excess on the brain, patients with CS often have memory problems, concentration difficulties, impaired attention and executive function, that are not always reversible following successful treatment. Neuroimaging is essential for understanding the deleterious effects of hypercortisolism on the brain. In CS, structural alterations have been observed, including reduction of hippocampal volume, amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. The aim of this article is to summarize results from studies that have used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study functional brain alterations in patients with CS. In these studies, alterations in brain areas and networks essential for cognitive function, emotional processing, and executive function have been observed, both in patients with active CS as well as following treatment. Nevertheless, longitudinal studies with a comprehensive evaluation of functional brain alterations and neurocognitive evaluation are still needed to determine whether the apparent deleterious effects of hypercortisolism on the brain are reversible or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakokkinou
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Eleni Papakokkinou,
| | - Oskar Ragnarsson
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Sulu C, Karadayi Kaynak G, Koskun T, Koca O, Icli TB, Kavla Y, Ozkaya HM, Turan S, Eskin M, Kadioglu P. Problem-solving therapy can reduce psychological distress in patients with Cushing's disease: a randomized controlled trial. Pituitary 2022; 25:891-902. [PMID: 36050587 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-022-01275-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of online group problem-solving therapy (PST) for reducing negative problem orientation (NPO), psychological distress, and increasing quality of life in patients with Cushing's disease (CD). METHODS In this randomized trial, we allocated 55 eligible patients to either PST (n = 28) or treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 27) groups. The analyses primarily relied on intent-to-treat (ITT) principle and were repeated with intervention completers (per-protocol analyses). Social problem-solving inventory-revised short form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), The Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Cushing's Quality of Life scale were used. Pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measures were obtained. Linear mixed models were used to compare PST and treatment as usual (TAU) groups across time. RESULTS Of the total 55 patients with CD, the mean age was 46 ± 12 years, 49 patients (89%) were female, and 41 patients (74.5%) were in remission. The patients within the PST and TAU groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and disease activity. ITT analyses showed a greater reduction of NPO scores in patients who received PST as compared to patients who received usual care (df = 45.9, p = 0.029, Cohen's d = 0.47). The decrease in NPO was sustained at follow-up (mean difference: - 2.2, p = 0.007). Results of the ITT analyses revealed no superior benefits of the intervention for psychological distress. However, per-protocol analyses demonstrated that PST provided a greater decrease in BDI, PSS, and GHQ-12 scores. CONCLUSION PST may decrease NPO and improve the psychological well-being of patients with CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cem Sulu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes-Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Tolga Koskun
- Department of Psychology, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Oguzhan Koca
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tevhide Betul Icli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yasin Kavla
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hande Mefkure Ozkaya
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes-Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
- Pituitary Center, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Senol Turan
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Eskin
- Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pinar Kadioglu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes-Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Pituitary Center, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Kocamustafapasa Street No:53 Fatih, 34098, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Terayama R, Ishikawa T, Ishiwata K, Sato A, Minamizuka T, Ohno T, Kono S, Yamamoto M, Yokoh H, Nagano H, Koshizaka M, Suzuki S, Koide H, Maezawa Y, Yokote K. Correction of Hypercortisolemia with an Improved Cognitive Function and Muscle Mass after Transsphenoidal Surgery in an Older Patient with Cushing's Disease. Intern Med 2022; 61:3391-3399. [PMID: 35491128 PMCID: PMC9751722 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.8326-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cushing's disease causes numerous metabolic disorders, cognitive decline, and sarcopenia, leading to deterioration of the general health in older individuals. Cushing's disease can be treated with transsphenoidal surgery, but thus far, surgery has often been avoided in older patients. We herein report an older woman with Cushing's disease whose cognitive impairment and sarcopenia improved after transsphenoidal surgery. Although cognitive impairment and sarcopenia in most older patients show resistance to treatment, our case indicates that normalization of the cortisol level by transsphenoidal surgery can be effective in improving the cognitive impairment and muscle mass loss caused by Cushing's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Terayama
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ishikawa
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Department of General Medical Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Geriatric Medical Center, Chiba University Hospital, Japan
| | - Kazuki Ishiwata
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Ai Sato
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Takuya Minamizuka
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Ohno
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Satomi Kono
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Masashi Yamamoto
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Yokoh
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Nagano
- Department of Molecular Diagnosis, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan
| | - Masaya Koshizaka
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Sawako Suzuki
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hisashi Koide
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yoshiro Maezawa
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Koutaro Yokote
- Department of Endocrinology, Hematology, and Gerontology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
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Liu YF, Pan L, Feng M. Structural and functional brain alterations in Cushing's disease: A narrative review. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101033. [PMID: 36126747 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms are non-negligible in Cushing's disease and are accompanied by structural and functional alterations of the brain. In this review, we have summarized multimodal neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies to highlight the current and historical understandings of the structural and functional brain alterations in Cushing's disease. Specifically, structural studies showed atrophy of the gray matter, loss of white matter integrity, and demyelination in widespread brain regions. Functional imaging studies have identified three major functional brain connectome networks influenced by hypercortisolemia: the limbic network, the default mode network, and the executive control network. After endocrinological remission, atrophy of gray matter regions and the compromised functional network activities were partially reversible, and the widespread white matter integrity alterations cannot recover in years. In conclusion, Cushing's disease patients display structural and functional brain connectomic alterations, which provides insights into the neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms observed in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fan Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lei Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ming Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
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Lee J, Li C, Liu CSJ, Shiroishi M, Carmichael JD, Zada G, Patel V. Ultra-high field 7 T MRI localizes regional brain volume recovery following corticotroph adenoma resection and hormonal remission in Cushing's disease: A case series. Surg Neurol Int 2022; 13:239. [PMID: 35855134 PMCID: PMC9282752 DOI: 10.25259/sni_787_2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cushing's disease (CD) is defined by glucocorticoid excess secondary to the increased section of corticotropin by a pituitary adenoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies performed at 1.5 or 3 Tesla (T) have demonstrated correlations between regional changes in brain structure and the progression of CD. In this report, we examine the changes in brain volume following corticotroph pituitary adenoma resection using ultra-high field 7 T MRI to increase the accuracy of our volumetric analyses. Methods Thirteen patients were referred to the endocrinology clinic at our institution from 2017 to 2020 with symptoms of cortisol excess and were diagnosed with ACTH-dependent endogenous Cushing syndrome. Five patients had follow-up 7 T imaging at varying time points after a transsphenoidal resection. Results Symmetrized percent change in regional volumes demonstrated a postoperative increase in cortical volume that was relatively larger than that of cerebral white matter or subcortical gray matter (percent changes = 0.0172%, 0.0052%, and 0.0120%, respectively). In the left cerebral hemisphere, the medial orbitofrontal, lateral orbitofrontal, and pars opercularis cortical regions experienced the most robust postoperative percent increases (percent changes = 0.0166%, 0.0122%, and 0.0068%, respectively). In the right cerebral hemisphere, the largest percent increases were observed in the pars triangularis, rostral portion of the middle frontal gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus (percent changes = 0.0156%, 0.0120%, and 0.0158%). Conclusion Cerebral volume recovery following pituitary adenoma resection is driven by changes in cortical thickness predominantly in the frontal lobe, while subcortical white and gray matter volumes increase more modestly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Lee
- Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California
| | - Charles Li
- Departments of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Chia-Shang J. Liu
- Departments of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Mark Shiroishi
- Departments of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - John D. Carmichael
- Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Gabriel Zada
- Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Vishal Patel
- Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California,,Departments of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States,,Corresponding author: Vishal Patel, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States.
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Keil MF, Kang JY, Liu A, Wiggs EA, Merke D, Stratakis CA. Younger age and early puberty are associated with cognitive function decline in children with Cushing disease. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2022; 96:569-577. [PMID: 34668209 PMCID: PMC8897227 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of hypercortisolism on the developing brain we performed clinical, cognitive, and psychological evaluation of children with Cushing disease (CD) at diagnosis and 1 year after remission. STUDY DESIGN Prospective study of 41 children with CD. Children completed diverse sets of cognitive measures before and 1 year after remission. Neuropsychological evaluation included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, California Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test, the combined subset scores of Wide Range Achievement Test and Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery Test of Achievement, and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children. RESULTS Comprehensive cognitive evaluations at baseline and 1 year following cure revealed significant decline mostly in nonverbal skills. Decrements occurred in most of the various indices that measure all aspects of cognitive function and younger age and early pubertal stage largely contributed to most of this decline. Results indicated that age at baseline was associated with positive regression weights for changes in scores for verbal, performance, and full intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and for subtests arithmetic, picture completion, coding, block design, scores; indicating that older age at baseline was associated with less of a deterioration in cognitive scores from pre- to posttreatment. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that chronic glucocorticoid excess and accompanying secondary hormonal imbalances followed by eucortisolemia have detrimental effects on cognitive function in the developing brain; younger age and pubertal stage are risk factors for increased vulnerability, while older adolescents have cognitive vulnerabilities like that of adult patients affected with CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret F Keil
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joo Y Kang
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Aiyi Liu
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Edythe A Wiggs
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) (Ret), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Deborah Merke
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center and The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Constantine A Stratakis
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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12
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Daya R, Seedat F, Blomerus E, Bulbulia S, Bayat Z. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in a patient with Cushing’s syndrome. S Afr J Psychiatr 2022; 28:1706. [PMID: 35169510 PMCID: PMC8831970 DOI: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Cushing’s syndrome (CS) may present with different neurological and/or psychiatric symptoms including anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment and psychosis. Psychosis is a rare clinical manifestation, with literature limited to case reports. We report a case of a 52-year-old woman with psychosis secondary to CS who was mis-diagnosed as schizophrenia-like psychosis. This case highlights the importance of considering CS as a differential when ruling out medical causes in patients with either new or persistent mental health disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyna Daya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Faheem Seedat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Emilia Blomerus
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Saajidah Bulbulia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Zaheer Bayat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Pupier E, Santos A, Etchamendy N, Lavielle A, Ferriere A, Marighetto A, Resmini E, Cota D, Webb SM, Tabarin A. Impaired quality of life, but not cognition, is linked to a history of chronic hypercortisolism in patients with Cushing's disease in remission. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:934347. [PMID: 36004342 PMCID: PMC9393704 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.934347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Impaired cognition and altered quality of life (QoL) may persist despite long-term remission of Cushing's disease (CD). Persistent comorbidities and treatment modalities may account for cognitive impairments. Therefore, the role of hypercortisolism per se on cognitive sequelae remains debatable. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether memory and QoL are impaired after long-term remission of CD in patients with no confounding comorbidity. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional case-control study in two tertiary referral centers. PATIENTS 25 patients (44.5 ± 2.4 years) in remission from CD for 102.7 ± 19.3 Mo and 25 well-matched controls, without comorbidity or treatment liable to impair cognition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hippocampus- and prefrontal cortex-dependent memory, including memory flexibility and working memory, were investigated using multiple tests including sensitive locally-developed computerized tasks. Depression and anxiety were evaluated with the MADRS and HADS questionnaires. QoL was evaluated with the SF-36 and CushingQoL questionnaires. The intensity of CD was assessed using mean urinary free cortisol and a score for clinical symptoms. RESULTS CD patients displayed similar performance to controls in all cognitive tests. In contrast, despite the absence of depression and a minimal residual clinical Cushing score, patients had worse QoL. Most of the SF36 subscales and the CushingQoL score were negatively associated only with the duration of exposure to hypercortisolism (p≤ 0.01 to 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Persistent comorbidities can be a primary cause of long-lasting cognitive impairment and should be actively treated. Persistently altered QoL may reflect irreversible effects of hypercortisolism, highlighting the need to reduce its duration. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT02603653.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Pupier
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, CHU of Bordeaux and University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Alicia Santos
- Endocrinology Department, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747) Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
- Department Medicine, Research Center for Pituitary Diseases, Hospital Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB)-Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nicole Etchamendy
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Bordeaux, France
| | - Aurélie Lavielle
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, CHU of Bordeaux and University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Amandine Ferriere
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, CHU of Bordeaux and University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Aline Marighetto
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Bordeaux, France
| | - Eugenia Resmini
- Endocrinology Department, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747) Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
- Department Medicine, Research Center for Pituitary Diseases, Hospital Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB)-Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniela Cota
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Bordeaux, France
| | - Susan M. Webb
- Endocrinology Department, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747) Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
- Department Medicine, Research Center for Pituitary Diseases, Hospital Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB)-Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoine Tabarin
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, CHU of Bordeaux and University of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
- Neurocentre Magendie, University of Bordeaux, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Bordeaux, France
- *Correspondence: Antoine Tabarin,
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Potential associations between immune signaling genes, deactivated microglia, and oligodendrocytes and cortical gray matter loss in patients with long-term remitted Cushing's disease. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 132:105334. [PMID: 34225183 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cushing's disease (CD) is a rare and severe endocrine disease characterized by hypercortisolemia. Previous studies have found structural brain alterations in remitted CD patients compared to healthy controls, specifically in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). However, potential mechanisms through which these persistent alterations may have occurred are currently unknown. METHODS Structural 3T MRI's from 25 remitted CD patients were linked with gene expression data from neurotypical donors, derived from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. Differences in gene expression between the ACC and an unaffected control cortical region were examined, followed by a Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. A cell type enrichment analysis was conducted on the differentially expressed genes, and a disease association enrichment analysis was conducted to determine possible associations between differentially expressed genes and specific diseases. Subsequently, cortisol sensitivity of these genes in existing datasets was examined. RESULTS The gene expression analysis identified 300 differentially expressed genes in the ACC compared to the cortical control region. GO analyses found underexpressed genes to represent immune function. The cell type specificity analysis indicated that underexpressed genes were enriched for deactivated microglia and oligodendrocytes. Neither significant associations with diseases, nor evidence of cortisol sensitivity with the differentially expressed genes were found. DISCUSSION Underexpressed genes in the ACC, the area vulnerable to permanent changes in remitted CD patients, were often associated with immune functioning. The specific lack of deactivated microglia and oligodendrocytes implicates protective effects of these cell types against the long-term effects of cortisol overexposure.
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Asa SL, Mete O, Cusimano MD, McCutcheon IE, Perry A, Yamada S, Nishioka H, Casar-Borota O, Uccella S, La Rosa S, Grossman AB, Ezzat S. Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors: a model for neuroendocrine tumor classification. Mod Pathol 2021; 34:1634-1650. [PMID: 34017065 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-021-00820-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The classification of adenohypophysial neoplasms as "pituitary neuroendocrine tumors" (PitNETs) was proposed in 2017 to reflect their characteristics as epithelial neuroendocrine neoplasms with a spectrum of clinical behaviors ranging from small indolent lesions to large, locally invasive, unresectable tumors. Tumor growth and hormone hypersecretion cause significant morbidity and mortality in a subset of patients. The proposal was endorsed by a WHO working group that sought to provide a unified approach to neuroendocrine neoplasia in all body sites. We review the features that are characteristic of neuroendocrine cells, the epidemiology and prognosis of these tumors, as well as further refinements in terms used for other pituitary tumors to ensure consistency with the WHO framework. The intense study of PitNETs has provided information about the importance of cellular differentiation in tumor prognosis as a model for neuroendocrine tumors in different locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia L Asa
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Ozgur Mete
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael D Cusimano
- Department of Neurosurgery, Saint Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ian E McCutcheon
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Arie Perry
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shozo Yamada
- Hypothalamic and Pituitary Center, Moriyama Neurological Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nishioka
- Department of Hypothalamic and Pituitary Surgery, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Olivera Casar-Borota
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Silvia Uccella
- Department of Pathology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Stefano La Rosa
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ashley B Grossman
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Oxford, London, UK.,Royal Free London, London, UK.,Barts and the London School of Medicine, London, UK.,London Clinic Centre for Endocrinology, London, UK
| | - Shereen Ezzat
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Slagboom TNA, Deijen JB, Van Bunderen CC, Knoop HA, Drent ML. Psychological well-being and illness perceptions in patients with hypopituitarism. Pituitary 2021; 24:542-554. [PMID: 33606176 PMCID: PMC8270855 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-021-01131-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary aim of the current study was to objectify a spectrum of persisting subjective psychological complaints in patients with hypopituitarism, at least six months after normalizing of the hormonal disturbances. Also, gender differences on these outcomes were investigated. The secondary aim was to identify illness perceptions and causal attributions within this patient group. METHODS A total of 42 adult participants (60% females) with treated hypopituitarism once filled out a number of psychological questionnaires. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) assessed mood and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) assessed well-being. Illness perceptions were identified using the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Brief Dutch Language Version (IPQ-B DLV) and causal attributions by using the Causal Attribution List (CAL). Patient outcomes were compared to reference values of healthy norm groups. RESULTS Participants scored significantly worse on the POMS depression, anger, fatigue and tension subscales, the SCL-90 psychoneuroticism, depression, inadequacy of thinking and acting and sleeping problems subscales and all subscales of the WSAS when compared to reference data. Women also scored worse on depression (HADS) and somatic symptoms (SCL-90). Compared to other illnesses, patients with hypopituitarism have more negative and realistic illness perceptions on consequences, timeline, identity and emotions. Participants attributed their complaints more to physical causes than psychological causes. CONCLUSION Despite normalization of hormonal disturbances, patients with hypopituitarism in general can still experience problems during daily living, such as negative mood states and a decreased psychological well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa N. A. Slagboom
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Berend Deijen
- Section of Clinical Neuropsychology, Department of Clinical, Neuro- & Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorstraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Hersencentrum Mental Health Institute Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christa C. Van Bunderen
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans A. Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Madeleine L. Drent
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Section of Clinical Neuropsychology, Department of Clinical, Neuro- & Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorstraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Acree R, Miller CM, Abel BS, Neary NM, Campbell K, Nieman LK. Patient and Provider Perspectives on Postsurgical Recovery of Cushing Syndrome. J Endocr Soc 2021; 5:bvab109. [PMID: 34195531 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvab109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Context Cushing syndrome (CS) is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL) even after surgical cure. Objective To characterize patient and provider perspectives on recovery from CS, drivers of decreased HRQOL during recovery, and ways to improve HRQOL. Design Cross-sectional observational survey. Participants Patients (n = 341) had undergone surgery for CS and were members of the Cushing's Support and Research Foundation. Physicians (n = 54) were Pituitary Society physician members and academicians who treated patients with CS. Results Compared with patients, physicians underestimated the time to complete recovery after surgery (12 months vs 18 months, P = 0.0104). Time to recovery did not differ by CS etiology, but patients with adrenal etiologies of CS reported a longer duration of cortisol replacement medication compared with patients with Cushing disease (12 months vs 6 months, P = 0.0025). Physicians overestimated the benefits of work (26.9% vs 65.3%, P < 0.0001), exercise (40.9% vs 77.6%, P = 0.0001), and activities (44.8% vs 75.5%, P = 0.0016) as useful coping mechanisms in the postsurgical period. Most patients considered family/friends (83.4%) and rest (74.7%) to be helpful. All physicians endorsed educating patients on recovery, but 32.4% (95% CI, 27.3-38.0) of patients denied receiving sufficient information. Some patients did not feel prepared for the postsurgical experience (32.9%; 95% CI, 27.6-38.6) and considered physicians not familiar enough with CS (16.1%; 95% CI, 12.2-20.8). Conclusion Poor communication between physicians and CS patients may contribute to dissatisfaction with the postsurgical experience. Increased information on recovery, including helpful coping mechanisms, and improved provider-physician communication may improve HRQOL during recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Acree
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Caitlin M Miller
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Brent S Abel
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nicola M Neary
- Program on Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Karen Campbell
- Cushing's Support and Research Foundation, Plymouth, MA 02360, USA
| | - Lynnette K Nieman
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.,Program on Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Slagboom TNA, Deijen JB, Van Bunderen CC, Knoop HA, Drent ML. Impaired neuropsychological functioning in patients with hypopituitarism. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 2021; 4:e00165. [PMID: 33532607 PMCID: PMC7831215 DOI: 10.1002/edm2.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment of pituitary pathology mostly does not result in complete recovery of impairment in cognitive functioning. The primary aim of the current study was to assess cognitive impairment in patients with stable replacement therapy for hypopituitarism during the last 6 months prior to inclusion. It was expected that patients showed subjective and objective subnormal scores on neuropsychological functioning. Methods Forty-two patients (40% men, 49 ± 15 years) treated for hypopituitarism conducted a neuropsychological test battery, including the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), 15-Word test (15-WT), Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) Motor Screening Task (MOT), Spatial Working Memory (SWM) and Affective Go/No-go (AGN). Results were compared to reference values of healthy norm groups. Results Male and female participants scored significantly worse on the CFQ (P < .01, d = 0.91-4.09) and AGN mean correct latency (P < .01, d = 1.66 and 1.29, respectively). Female participants scored significantly worse on 15-WT direct recall (P = .01, d = 0.66), 15-WT delayed recall (P = .01, d = 0.79), SWM total errors (P = .05, d = 0.41), SWM strategy (P = .04, d = 0.43), AGN errors of commission (P = .02, d = 0.56) and omission (P = .04, d = 0.41). Conclusion This study shows that subjective cognitive functioning is worse in patients treated for hypopituitarism compared to reference data. Also, female participants treated for hypopituitarism score worse on objective aspects of memory and executive functioning compared to reference data. Besides worse focus attention, this objective cognitive impairment was not found in male participants. It is recommended to conduct additional research, which focuses on the design and evaluation of a cognitive remediation therapy, aimed at compensation of impairments in different aspects of memory and executive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa N. A. Slagboom
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Jan Berend Deijen
- Hersencentrum Mental Health InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Section of Clinical NeuropsychologyDepartment of Clinical, Neuro‐ & Developmental PsychologyFaculty of Behavioral and Movement SciencesVrije UniversiteitAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Christa C. Van Bunderen
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Hans A. Knoop
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical PsychologyAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Madeleine L. Drent
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Section of Clinical NeuropsychologyDepartment of Clinical, Neuro‐ & Developmental PsychologyFaculty of Behavioral and Movement SciencesVrije UniversiteitAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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Siegel S, Kirstein CF, Grzywotz A, Hütter BO, Wrede KH, Kuhna V, Kreitschmann-Andermahr I. Neuropsychological Functioning in Patients with Cushing's Disease and Cushing's Syndrome. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2020; 129:194-202. [PMID: 32992348 DOI: 10.1055/a-1247-4651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To present a systematic review of the presence and severity of neuropsychological impairment in the six main neuropsychological domains (attention, executive function, language, visuospatial processing, intelligence, and memory) in patients with Cushing's disease (CD) and/or Cushing's Syndrome (CS) at various stages of the illness. The work aims to identify neuropsychological leverage points for focused diagnosis and rehabilitation in CS/CD patients. METHODS A pubmed literature search was performed and augmented by searching the reference lists of review articles identified by this search strategy. After excluding irrelevant hits, we systematically extracted data from 27 studies for each main neuropsychological domain, differentiating between active disease, short- and long-term remission. RESULTS The literature gives evidence for neuropsychological impairment in all domains in Cushing patients with active disease. The most consistent impairments concerned memory and visuo-spatial processing, whereas the data are discordant for all other domains. Significant improvement of neuropsychological function - although not returning to normal in all domains - is shown in short-term and long-term remission of the disease. However, the published literature is thin, suffering from repetitive subsample analyses publishing, methodological concerns as lack of control for confounders such as depression. CONCLUSIONS Memory is the most extensively investigated domain in CS/CD patients and impairment is most prominent in active disease. Patients should be counseled that neuropsychological function will improve with normalization of hypercortisolism and over time. More studies with more stringent methodological criteria, larger patient samples and controlling for confounders are required to enhance our understanding of neuropsychological function in patients with CS/CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Siegel
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen
| | | | | | | | | | - Victoria Kuhna
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Oldenburg
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Kumar N, Jarial KDS, Bhansali A, Nehra R, Vyas S, Walia R. Neurocognitive Functions and Brain Volume in Patients with Endogenous Cushing's Syndrome Before and After Curative Surgery. Indian J Endocrinol Metab 2020; 24:396-401. [PMID: 33489843 PMCID: PMC7810051 DOI: 10.4103/ijem.ijem_162_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cushing's syndrome (CS) leads to various neuropsychiatric manifestations due to structural and functional changes of the brain and contributes significantly in the impairment of health-related quality of life. AIM AND OBJECTIVE This study is conducted with aims to evaluate neurocognitive functions and brain volume in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome before and after curative surgery. METHODS The diagnosis of CS was made by clinical features, abnormal cortisol dynamics, ACTH levels, and imaging studies. Neuropsychiatric tests (Beck depression Index, Spatial span test, PGI memory scale, Color trail test, Verbal fluency test), and Brain volume (Bi-caudate and third ventricular diameter) were done before and after curative surgery. RESULTS Fifteen patients of CS were included for the study; all patients underwent curative surgery, neuropsychiatric assessment, and brain volume measurements. Nine patients were followed successfully till remission and repeat evaluation of these patients was done. Depression was the most common neuropsychiatric illness. Severity of depression positively correlated with 0800 h plasma cortisol and ACTH. Patients with higher severity of depression had maximum improvement after curative surgery. Significant decrease in the third ventricular, as well as bicaudate diameter, was observed after curative surgery (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Neuropsychiatric functions and structural brain changes reverse after curative surgery in patients with endogenous CS, however, long term follow-up is required to know whether these changes reverse completely or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nachimuthu Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kush D. S. Jarial
- Department of Endocrinology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Anil Bhansali
- Department of Endocrinology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ritu Nehra
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sameer Vyas
- Department of Endocrinology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rama Walia
- Department of Endocrinology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Neuropsychological and Emotional Functioning in Patients with Cushing's Syndrome. Behav Neurol 2020; 2020:4064370. [PMID: 32831970 PMCID: PMC7428886 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4064370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) frequently report impairments in cognitive and emotional functioning. Given neuroimaging research that implicates alterations in structure and function in the brain in this population, goals of this study were to investigate neuropsychological and emotional functioning, with particular emphasis on complex attention and memory. In a clinical sample of 18 adults with CS referred for neuropsychological evaluation (age 41.6 ± 10.6, 72% Caucasian), patients' most common subjective complaints were in attention and increased irritability. On objective testing, patients exhibited significant declines in the consistency of their sustained attention and visual-spatial functioning compared to normative peers. Patients exhibited on average significantly reduced initial learning following first exposure to visual and verbal stimuli but intact retention of information learned. Patients with CS endorsed highly elevated levels of somatization, depression, and anxiety, and 59% of them scored in the clinically elevated range for somatization and depressive symptomatology. Exploratory analyses suggested that the 11 patients with active Cushing's exhibited lower processing speed, poorer sustained attention, naming, and cognitive flexibility compared to the 7 patients who achieved biochemical remission. Patients with active Cushing's also reported higher levels of somatization and anxiety compared to patients in biochemical remission. Overall, this study provides new insights into complex attention and memory deficits in patients with CS and concern regarding cognitive and emotional issues despite resolution of hypercortisolism. Our study opens several avenues for further exploration.
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Bauduin SEEC, van der Pal Z, Pereira AM, Meijer OC, Giltay EJ, van der Wee NJA, van der Werff SJA. Cortical thickness abnormalities in long-term remitted Cushing's disease. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:293. [PMID: 32826851 PMCID: PMC7443132 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00980-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term remitted Cushing's disease (LTRCD) patients commonly continue to present persistent psychological and cognitive deficits, and alterations in brain function and structure. Although previous studies have conducted gray matter volume analyses, assessing cortical thickness and surface area of LTRCD patients may offer further insight into the neuroanatomical substrates of Cushing's disease. Structural 3T magnetic resonance images were obtained from 25 LTRCD patients, and 25 age-, gender-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs). T1-weighted images were segmented using FreeSurfer software to extract mean cortical thickness and surface area values of 68 cortical gray matter regions and two whole hemispheres. Paired sample t tests explored differences between the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC; region of interest), and the whole brain. Validated scales assessed psychiatric symptomatology, self-reported cognitive functioning, and disease severity. After correction for multiple comparisons, ROI analyses indicated that LTRCD-patients showed reduced cortical thickness of the left caudal ACC and the right rostral ACC compared to HCs. Whole-brain analyses indicated thinner cortices of the left caudal ACC, left cuneus, left posterior cingulate cortex, right rostral ACC, and bilateral precuneus compared to HCs. No cortical surface area differences were identified. Cortical thickness of the left caudal ACC and left cuneus were inversely associated with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and disease duration, although certain associations did not persist after correction for multiple testing. In six of 68 regions examined, LTRCD patients had reduced cortical thickness in comparison to HCs. Cortical thickness of the left caudal ACC was inversely associated with disease duration. This suggests that prolonged and excessive exposure to glucocorticoids may be related to cortical thinning of brain structures involved in emotional and cognitive processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E E C Bauduin
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Z van der Pal
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A M Pereira
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases and Center for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - O C Meijer
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases and Center for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - E J Giltay
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - N J A van der Wee
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - S J A van der Werff
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Piasecka M, Papakokkinou E, Valassi E, Santos A, Webb SM, de Vries F, Pereira AM, Ragnarsson O. Psychiatric and neurocognitive consequences of endogenous hypercortisolism. J Intern Med 2020; 288:168-182. [PMID: 32181937 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms due to hypercortisolism were already described by Harvey Cushing in his original paper on patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). Nowadays, it is well known that psychiatric and cognitive complaints are two of the most common, and most distressing, symptoms in patients with CS. Psychiatric symptoms are indeed a major clinical manifestation of CS. The most commonly observed psychiatric conditions are depression and anxiety, whilst mania and psychosis are less common. Several domains of cognitive function are impaired at diagnosis, including episodic and working memory, executive function and attention. Following treatment, one-fourth of the patients still experience depressed mood, and the cognitive impairments are only partially restored. Consequently, quality of life in patients with CS is severely and persistently affected. Neuroimaging studies have also illustrated the deleterious effects of hypercortisolism on the brain by demonstrating reduced grey matter volumes and cortical thickness, altered resting-state functional responses and during cognitive tasks, as well as widespread reduced white matter integrity, especially in structures important for cognitive function and emotional processing, both before and after successful abrogation of hypercortisolism. In this paper, we summarize the current knowledge on the psychiatric and neurocognitive consequences of hypercortisolism in patients with CS, both before, and after successful treatment. In addition, we review the structural and functional brain abnormalities associated with hypercortisolism and discuss the influence of these factors on quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Piasecka
- From the, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - E Papakokkinou
- From the, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - E Valassi
- IIB-Sant Pau and Department of Endocrinology/Medicine, Hospital Sant Pau, Univ Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBER-ER, Unidad 747), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Santos
- IIB-Sant Pau and Department of Endocrinology/Medicine, Hospital Sant Pau, Univ Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBER-ER, Unidad 747), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S M Webb
- IIB-Sant Pau and Department of Endocrinology/Medicine, Hospital Sant Pau, Univ Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBER-ER, Unidad 747), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F de Vries
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Center for Endocrine Tumours Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A M Pereira
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Center for Endocrine Tumours Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - O Ragnarsson
- From the, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Gao L, Liu L, Shi L, Luo Y, Wang Z, Guo X, Xing B. Dynamic changes of views on the brain changes of Cushing's syndrome using different computer-assisted tool. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2020; 21:185-200. [PMID: 31974674 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-020-09540-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cushing's syndrome (CS) provides a unique model for assessing the neurotoxic effect of chronic hypercortisolism on human brains. With the ongoing development of different computer-assisted tools, four research stages emerged, each with its own pearls and pitfalls. This review summarizes current knowledge and describes the dynamic changes of views on the brain changes of CS, especially in the current era of the rapid development of artificial intelligence and big data. The adverse effects of GC on brain are proven to be on structural, functional and cellular levels at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan Wangfujing, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing, China.
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Senior Officials Health Care, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- BrainNow Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yishan Luo
- BrainNow Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zihao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaopeng Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan Wangfujing, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, Chinese Pituitary Adenoma Cooperative Group, Beijing, China.
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25
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Hou B, Gao L, Shi L, Luo Y, Guo X, Young GS, Qin L, Zhu H, Lu L, Wang Z, Feng M, Bao X, Wang R, Xing B, Feng F. Reversibility of impaired brain structures after transsphenoidal surgery in Cushing's disease: a longitudinal study based on an artificial intelligence-assisted tool. J Neurosurg 2020; 134:512-521. [PMID: 31899871 DOI: 10.3171/2019.10.jns191400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cushing's disease (CD) involves brain impairments caused by excessive cortisol. Whether these impairments are reversible in remitted CD after surgery has long been controversial due to a lack of high-quality longitudinal studies. In this study the authors aimed to assess the reversibility of whole-brain changes in remitted CD after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), and its correlations with clinical and hormonal parameters, in the largest longitudinal study cohort to date for CD patient brain analysis. METHODS Fifty patients with pathologically diagnosed CD and 36 matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in a tertiary comprehensive hospital and national pituitary disease registry center in China. 3-T MRI studies were analyzed using an artificial intelligence-assisted web-based autosegmentation tool to quantify 3D brain volumes. Clinical parameters as well as levels of serum cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and 24-hour urinary free cortisol were collected for the correlation analysis. All CD patients underwent TSS and 46 patients achieved remission. All clinical, hormonal, and MRI parameters were reevaluated at the 3-month follow-up after surgery. RESULTS Widespread brain volume loss was observed in active CD patients compared with HCs, including total gray matter (p = 0.003, with false discovery rate [FDR] correction) and the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes; insula; cingulate lobe; and enlargement of lateral and third ventricles (p < 0.05, corrected with FDR). All affected brain regions improved significantly after TSS (p < 0.05, corrected with FDR). In patients with remitted CD, total gray matter and most brain regions (except the frontal and temporal lobes) showed full recovery of volume, with volumes that did not differ from those of HCs (p > 0.05, corrected with FDR). ACTH and serum cortisol changes were negatively correlated with brain volume changes during recovery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the rapid reversal of total gray matter loss in remitted CD. The combination of full recovery areas and partial recovery areas after TSS is consistent with the incomplete recovery of memory and cognitive function observed in CD patients in clinical practice. Correlation analyses suggest that ACTH and serum cortisol levels are reliable serum biomarkers of brain recovery for clinical use after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Hou
- Departments of1Radiology and
| | - Lu Gao
- 2Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- 3China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, China
- 4Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- 5Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lin Shi
- 6Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
- 7BrainNow Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yishan Luo
- 7BrainNow Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaopeng Guo
- 2Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- 3China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, China
| | - Geoffrey S Young
- 4Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- 5Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lei Qin
- 4Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- 8Department of Imaging, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Huijuan Zhu
- 9Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lu
- 9Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zihao Wang
- 2Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- 3China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Feng
- 2Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- 3China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, China
| | - Xinjie Bao
- 2Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- 3China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, China
| | - Renzhi Wang
- 2Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- 3China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Xing
- 2Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- 3China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, China
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Pasternak-Pietrzak K, Moszczyńska E, Szalecki M. Treatment challenges in pediatric Cushing's disease: Review of the literature with particular emphasis on predictive factors for the disease recurrence. Endocrine 2019; 66:125-136. [PMID: 31701434 PMCID: PMC6838046 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-02036-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cushing's disease (CD) is a rare endocrine condition caused by a corticotroph pituitary tumor that produces adrenocorticotropic hormone. The current state of knowledge of CD treatment is presented in this article including factors that can be helpful in predicting remission and/or recurrence of the disease. The primary goals in CD treatment are quick diagnosis and effective, prompt treatment as the persistent disease is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Cooperation of a team consisting of experienced pediatrician/adult endocrinologist, neuroradiologist, transsphenoidal neurosurgeon and (if necessary) radiotherapist contribute to the best treatment effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Pasternak-Pietrzak
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute (CMHI), Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Elżbieta Moszczyńska
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute (CMHI), Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieczysław Szalecki
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute (CMHI), Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730, Warsaw, Poland
- The Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty, University of Jan Kochanowski, Al. IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317, Kielce, Poland
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Frimodt-Møller KE, Møllegaard Jepsen JR, Feldt-Rasmussen U, Krogh J. Hippocampal Volume, Cognitive Functions, Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients With Cushing Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:4563-4577. [PMID: 31215997 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2019-00749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Cushing syndrome (CS) is associated with hippocampal atrophy and psychopathology. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this systematic review was to assess hippocampal volume (HV) in patients with CS. The secondary objectives were to assess patients' cognitive functioning, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and quality of life. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, LILACs, and Scopus databases were searched for relevant studies until 1 May 2019. STUDY SELECTION Case-control studies comparing patients with CS with healthy control subjects, or studies assessing patients with CS before and after surgery were included. The initial search resulted in 18 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION Data extraction regarding all outcomes was performed independently by two reviewers. Quality assessment was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for case-control studies. DATA SYNTHESIS Meta-analysis was performed using a random effect model. The right-side HV in patients with CS was reduced by a standard mean difference of 0.68 (95% CI, -1.12 to -0.24; P = 0.002; I2 = 0%) compared with healthy control subjects, but with no increase in HV after surgery. Patients had more depressive symptoms, impaired cognitive functions, and reduced health-related QoL (HRQoL), which all responded favorably to surgery. The data did not support the presence of anxiety in patients with CS. CONCLUSION An overall reduction of HV in patients with CS was not suggested by the study findings. However, most cognitive domains were significantly affected and responded favorably to surgery. Depressive symptoms and reduced HRQoL were present in patients with CS and improved after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jens Richardt Møllegaard Jepsen
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research & Centre for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Glostrup, Denmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen
- Department of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Krogh
- Department of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
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28
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Tooze A, Sheehan JP. Neurocognitive changes in pituitary adenoma patients after Gamma Knife radiosurgery. J Neurosurg 2019; 129:55-62. [PMID: 30544290 DOI: 10.3171/2018.7.gks181595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVEPituitary adenomas and the treatment required for the underlying neuropathology have frequently been associated with cognitive dysfunction. However, the mechanisms for these impairments remain the subject of much debate. The authors evaluated cognitive outcomes in patients treated with or without Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for an underlying pituitary adenoma.METHODSThis was a retrospective, institutional review board-approved, single-institution study. A total of 51 patients (23 male, 28 female) treated for pituitary adenoma were included in this neurocognitive study. Twenty-one patients underwent GKRS following transsphenoidal surgery, 22 patients were treated with transsphenoidal surgery alone, and eight patients were conservatively managed or were treated with medical management alone. Comparisons using psychometric tests of general intellectual abilities, memory, and executive functions were made between the treatment groups, between male and female patients, and between patients with Cushing's disease and those with nonfunctioning adenoma (NFA).RESULTSThe entire patient sample, the NFA group, and the GKRS group scored significantly below expected on measures of both immediate and delayed memory, particularly for visually presented information (p ≤ 0.05); however, there were no significant differences between the patients with Cushing's disease and those with NFA (t ≤ 0.56, p ≥ 0.52). In those who underwent GKRS, memory scores were not significantly different from those in the patients who did not undergo GKRS (t ≤ 1.32, p ≥ 0.19). Male patients across the sample were more likely to demonstrate impairments in both immediate memory (t = -3.41, p = 0.003) and delayed memory (t = -3.80, p = 0.001) than were female patients (t ≤ 1.09, p ≥ 0.29). There were no impairments on measures of general intellectual functioning or executive functions in any patient group. The potential contributions of tumor size and hormone levels are discussed.CONCLUSIONSOverall, pituitary adenoma patients demonstrated relative impairment in anterograde memory. However, GKRS did not lead to adverse effects for immediate or delayed memory in pituitary adenoma patients. Cognitive assessment of pituitary adenoma patients is important in their longitudinal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana Tooze
- 1Sussex Rehabilitation Centre, Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, Sussex, United Kingdom; and
| | - Jason P Sheehan
- 2Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
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29
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Butterbrod E, Gehring K, Voormolen EH, Depauw PRAM, Nieuwlaat WA, Rutten GJM, Sitskoorn MM. Cognitive functioning in patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma before and after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. J Neurosurg 2019; 133:709-716. [PMID: 31443073 DOI: 10.3171/2019.5.jns19595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) can suffer from cognitive dysfunction. However, the literature on longitudinal cognitive follow-up of patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) is limited. This study was performed to investigate perioperative cognitive status and course in patients with NFPAs. METHODS Patients underwent computerized neuropsychological assessment 1 day before (n = 45) and 3 months after (n = 36) EETS. Performance in 7 domains was measured with a computerized test battery (CNS Vital Signs) and standardized using data from a healthy control group. The authors conducted analyses of cognitive performance at both time points and changes pre- to post-ETSS on a group and an individual level. Linear multiple regression analyses were employed to investigate predictors of cognitive performance. RESULTS On average, patients scored significantly lower in 6 of 7 cognitive domains before and after surgery than controls. Impairment proportions were significantly higher among patients (56% before surgery, 63% after surgery) than among controls. Patients showed no change over time in group-level (mean) performance, but 28% of individual patients exhibited cognitive improvement and 28% exhibited cognitive decline after surgery. Hormonal deficiency showed a positive correlation with verbal memory before surgery. Postoperative performances in all cognitive domains were predicted by preoperative performances. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive impairment was present before and after EETS in over half of NFPA patients. Individual patients showed diverse postoperative cognitive courses. Monitoring of cognitive functioning in clinical trajectories and further identification of disease-related and psychological predictors of cognition are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Butterbrod
- 1Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University; and
| | - Karin Gehring
- 1Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University; and
- 2Departments of Neurosurgery and
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30
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Pertichetti M, Serioli S, Belotti F, Mattavelli D, Schreiber A, Cappelli C, Padovani A, Gasparotti R, Nicolai P, Fontanella MM, Doglietto F. Pituitary adenomas and neuropsychological status: a systematic literature review. Neurosurg Rev 2019; 43:1065-1078. [DOI: 10.1007/s10143-019-01134-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Wang X, Zhou T, Wang P, Zhang L, Feng S, Meng X, Yu X, Zhang Y. Dysregulation of resting-state functional connectivity in patients with Cushing’s disease. Neuroradiology 2019; 61:911-920. [DOI: 10.1007/s00234-019-02223-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Cristante J, Lefournier V, Sturm N, Passagia JG, Gauchez AS, Tahon F, Cantin S, Chabre O, Gay E. Why we should still treat by neurosurgery patients with Cushing's disease and a normal or inconclusive pituitary MRI. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:4101-4113. [PMID: 31087046 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2019-00333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT In patients with Cushing's disease (CD) and a typical image of adenoma at MRI, transsphenoidal surgery is consensual. However, when MRI is inconclusive or normal, some authors now advocate medical treatment instead. The implicit assumption is that modern MRI should miss only very small microadenomas, too difficult to visualize at surgery. OBJECTIVE To analyze the evolution with time of the performances of MRI and the outcomes of surgery in CD patients with a typical image of adenoma vs. inconclusive or normal MRI. METHODS AND PATIENTS Retrospective single center study of 195 CD patients treated by transsphenoidal surgery between 1992 and 2018, using first a translabial microscopic and then a transnasal endoscopic approach. Patients with inconclusive or normal MRI were explored by bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS). Four MRI groups were defined : microadenomas (n=89), macroadenomas (n=18), or MRI either inconclusive (n=44) or normal (n=44). RESULTS The proportion of inconclusive/normal MRI decreased with time, from 60% (21/35) in 1992-96 to 27% (14/51) in 2012-2018 (p=0.037).In the 4 MRI groups, per-operatory adenoma visualization rate was only slightly lower when MRI was normal (95%; 100%; 86%; 79% ; p=0.012) and postoperative remission rates were not different (85%; 94%; 73%; 75 %; p= 0.11). CONCLUSION The diagnostic performances of MRI have improved but remain inferior to the eye of an expert neurosurgeon, best assisted by endoscopy. We propose that patients with CD and an inconclusive/normal MRI be still addressed to an expert neurosurgeon for transsphenoidal surgery rather than treated medically.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nathalie Sturm
- Anatomy and pathology department, CHU Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | - Florence Tahon
- Neuroradiology unit, CHU Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble France
| | | | - Olivier Chabre
- Endocrinology unit, CHU Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Emmanuel Gay
- Neurosurgery unit, CHU Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble France
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Stomby A, Salami A, Dahlqvist P, Evang JA, Ryberg M, Bollerslev J, Olsson T, Johannsson G, Ragnarsson O. Elevated resting-state connectivity in the medial temporal lobe and the prefrontal cortex among patients with Cushing's syndrome in remission. Eur J Endocrinol 2019; 180:329-338. [PMID: 30939453 DOI: 10.1530/eje-19-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Objective Cushing's syndrome is associated with long-term cognitive deficits and affective symptoms such as depression and anxiety. The alterations in brain function underlying these deficits after Cushing's syndrome are unclear and therefore we aimed to explore alterations in resting-state functional connectivity in patients with Cushing's syndrome in remission. Design Cross-sectional case-control study. Methods Nineteen women with Cushing's syndrome in remission for a median time of 7 years (IQR: 6-10) and a mean age of 45 years were included at three university clinics. These patients and 38 age-matched female controls underwent brain imaging at a single center. The main outcome measure was functional connectivity at rest, measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results The medial temporal lobe (MTL) and prefrontal cortex networks, exhibited elevated functional connectivity among patients compared to controls. The degree of elevated functional connectivity in the MTL was negatively associated with time in remission. Conclusions Resting-state functional connectivity within glucocorticoid receptor-rich regions, particularly the MTL and medial prefrontal cortex, was increased in patients. These differences in connectivity may provide a neural basis for the cognitive deficits and affective symptoms commonly experienced by patients with Cushing's syndrome in remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stomby
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Alireza Salami
- Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Per Dahlqvist
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Arild Evang
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mats Ryberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jens Bollerslev
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tommy Olsson
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Gudmundur Johannsson
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Oskar Ragnarsson
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Abstract
Pituitary diseases are rare conditions with severe chronic multiorgan and multisystemic morbidity requiring complex multidisciplinary treatment and usually life-long drug treatment. Most cases are caused by functioning or non-functioning pituitary adenoma. From the patient's perspective, the burden of disease is caused by the tumour itself and associated compression symptoms, interventions, hormone excess and deficiencies, systemic manifestations of these endocrine abnormalities and general psychosocial issues that can manifest in patients with a chronic condition. In this review, patient burden is classified according to classic endocrine syndromes, with burden at diagnosis and after long-term remission, and also within the framework of value-based health care and the conceptual model of wellbeing. The recently developed patient-reported outcome measurement tool that helps to evaluate burden of patients is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke R Biermasz
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Center of Endocrine Tumors Leiden, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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Chornenkyy Y, Wang W, Wei A, Nelson PT. Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus are distinct diseases with potential overlapping metabolic dysfunction upstream of observed cognitive decline. Brain Pathol 2019; 29:3-17. [PMID: 30106209 PMCID: PMC6427919 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are highly prevalent aging-related diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Some findings in human and animal models have linked T2DM to AD-type dementia. Despite epidemiological associations between the T2DM and cognitive impairment, the interrelational mechanisms are unclear. The preponderance of evidence in longitudinal studies with autopsy confirmation have indicated that vascular mechanisms, rather than classic AD-type pathologies, underlie the cognitive decline often seen in self-reported T2DM. T2DM is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and is associated with increased risk of infarcts and small vessel disease in the brain and other organs. Neuropathological examinations of post-mortem brains demonstrated evidence of cerebrovascular disease and little to no correlation between T2DM and β-amyloid deposits or neurofibrillary tangles. Nevertheless, the mechanisms upstream of early AD-specific pathology remain obscure. In this regard, there may indeed be overlap between the pathologic mechanisms of T2DM/"metabolic syndrome," and AD. More specifically, cerebral insulin processing, glucose metabolism, mitochondrial function, and/or lipid metabolism could be altered in patients in early AD and directly influence symptomatology and/or neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wang‐Xia Wang
- University of Kentucky College of MedicineLexingtonKY
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging, Department of PathologyUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKY
| | - Angela Wei
- Department of BiologyUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKY
| | - Peter T. Nelson
- University of Kentucky College of MedicineLexingtonKY
- Sanders‐Brown Center on Aging, Department of PathologyUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKY
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Braun LT, Riester A, Oßwald-Kopp A, Fazel J, Rubinstein G, Bidlingmaier M, Beuschlein F, Reincke M. Toward a Diagnostic Score in Cushing's Syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:766. [PMID: 31787931 PMCID: PMC6856055 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a classical rare disease: it is often suspected in patients who do not have the disease; at the same time, it takes a mean of 3 years to diagnose CS in affected individuals. The main reason is the extreme rarity (1-3/million/year) in combination with the lack of a single lead symptom. CS has to be suspected when a combination of signs and symptoms is present, which together make up the characteristic phenotype of cortisol excess. Unusual fat distribution affecting the face, neck, and trunk; skin changes including plethora, acne, hirsutism, livid striae, and easy bruising; and signs of protein catabolism such as thinned and vulnerable skin, osteoporotic fractures, and proximal myopathy indicate the need for biochemical screening for CS. In contrast, common symptoms like hypertension, weight gain, or diabetes also occur quite frequently in the general population and per se do not justify biochemical testing. First-line screening tests include urinary free cortisol excretion, dexamethasone suppression testing, and late-night salivary cortisol measurements. All three tests have overall reasonable sensitivity and specificity, and first-line testing should be selected on the basis of the physiologic conditions of the patient, drug intake, and available laboratory quality control measures. Two normal test results usually exclude the presence of CS. Other tests and laboratory parameters like the high-dose dexamethasone suppression test, plasma ACTH, the CRH test, and the bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling are not part of the initial biochemical screening. As a general rule, biochemical screening should only be performed if the pre-test probability for CS is reasonably high. This article provides an overview about the current standard in the diagnosis of CS starting with clinical scores and screenings, the clinical signs, relevant differential diagnoses, the first-line biochemical screening, and ending with a few exceptional cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah T. Braun
- Department for Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Riester
- Department for Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Oßwald-Kopp
- Department for Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Fazel
- Department for Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - German Rubinstein
- Department for Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Bidlingmaier
- Department for Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Felix Beuschlein
- Department for Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
- Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie und Klinische Ernährung, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Reincke
- Department for Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Martin Reincke
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Santos A, Resmini E, Martínez Momblán MA, Valassi E, Martel L, Webb SM. Quality of Life in Patients With Cushing's Disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:862. [PMID: 31920973 PMCID: PMC6917662 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cushing's disease (and by extension, Cushing's syndrome) is a rare disease due to a chronic cortisol excess, which usually has an important impact on quality of life (QoL). It can lead to numerous comorbidities that can interfere with daily life, as fatigability, myopathy, bone loss and fragility, increased cardiovascular risk, depression, and cognitive alterations. Of note, psychological alterations (including depression and anxiety) occur often, and are an important determinant of impaired quality QoL. QoL scores using different questionnaires are poorer in comparison to healthy controls, other pituitary adenomas and some chronic diseases. Even if some improvements can be observed after successful treatment, recovery does not seem to be complete, and comorbidities persist. This persistent QoL impairment has been found using both generic and disease-specific QoL questionnaires, and is also reported by the patients themselves, when asked directly. Multidisciplinary teams are essential to improve patients' well-being. Clinicians should take into account the whole scope of clinical problems and address the different comorbidites associated with the disease. Screening in the psychological sphere, with further intervention if necessary, can be helpful in the management of these patients. Interventions and programs have shown promising results, although there is a need for further development of new strategies for the benefit of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Santos
- Endocrinology/Medicine Departments, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eugenia Resmini
- Endocrinology/Medicine Departments, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mª Antonia Martínez Momblán
- Endocrinology/Medicine Departments, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Fundamental and Medico-Surgical Nursing Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Elena Valassi
- Endocrinology/Medicine Departments, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luciana Martel
- Endocrinology/Medicine Departments, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susan M. Webb
- Endocrinology/Medicine Departments, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Susan M. Webb
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Speiser PW, Arlt W, Auchus RJ, Baskin LS, Conway GS, Merke DP, Meyer-Bahlburg HFL, Miller WL, Murad MH, Oberfield SE, White PC. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to Steroid 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018; 103:4043-4088. [PMID: 30272171 PMCID: PMC6456929 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-01865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 538] [Impact Index Per Article: 89.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Objective To update the congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency clinical practice guideline published by the Endocrine Society in 2010. Conclusions The writing committee presents updated best practice guidelines for the clinical management of congenital adrenal hyperplasia based on published evidence and expert opinion with added considerations for patient safety, quality of life, cost, and utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis W Speiser
- Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, New York, New York
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Deborah P Merke
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Heino F L Meyer-Bahlburg
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Walter L Miller
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - M Hassan Murad
- Mayo Clinic’s Evidence-Based Practice Center, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Sharon E Oberfield
- NewYork–Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Perrin C White
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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Lajic S, Karlsson L, Nordenström A. Prenatal Treatment of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Long-Term Effects of Excess Glucocorticoid Exposure. Horm Res Paediatr 2018; 89:362-371. [PMID: 29742490 DOI: 10.1159/000485100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia with dexamethasone (DEX) has been in use since the mid-1980s and has proven effective at reducing virilization of external genitalia in affected girls. However, multiple experimental studies on animals and clinical studies on humans show that prenatal administration of glucocorticoids may cause unwanted adverse effects which have raised concerns about the long-term safety of the treatment. The long-term outcome of prenatal DEX treatment on cognition has been investigated, but the results are still conflicting. Overall, most of the evidence points towards a negative effect on executive functions where girls seem to be more susceptible than boys. Some effects on social behavior have been observed, but results are still contradictory and treated children are mostly well adapted. Cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic function are still areas to be investigated. Larger studies are warranted to investigate areas other than cognition and behavior and to be able to draw more definitive conclusions about prenatal DEX treatment.
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Bauduin SEEC, van der Wee NJA, van der Werff SJA. Structural brain abnormalities in Cushing's syndrome. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2018; 25:285-289. [PMID: 29746308 DOI: 10.1097/med.0000000000000414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Alongside various physical symptoms, patients with Cushing's disease and Cushing's syndrome display a wide variety of neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms, which are indicative of involvement of the central nervous system. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the structural brain abnormalities that are associated with Cushing's disease and Cushing's syndrome and their relation to behavioral and cognitive symptomatology. RECENT FINDINGS In this review, we discuss the gray matter structural abnormalities found in patients with active Cushing's disease and Cushing's syndrome, the reversibility and persistence of these changes and the white matter structural changes related to Cushing's syndrome. Recent findings are of particular interest because they provide more detailed information on localization of the structural changes as well as possible insights into the underlying biological processes. SUMMARY Active Cushing's disease and Cushing's syndrome is related to volume reductions of the hippocampus and in a prefrontal region involving the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and medial frontal gyrus (MFG). Whilst there are indications that the reductions in hippocampal volume are partially reversible, the changes in the ACC and MFG appear to be more persistent. In contrast to the volumetric findings, changes in white matter connectivity are typically widespread involving multiple tracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E E C Bauduin
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nic J A van der Wee
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Steven J A van der Werff
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Cortisol excess in Cushing's syndrome is associated with metabolic, cardiovascular, and cognitive alterations, only partially reversible after resolution of hypercortisolism. Elevated cardiovascular risk may persist after eucortisolism has been achieved. Fractures and low bone mineral density are also described in Cushing's syndrome in remission. Hypercortisolism may induce irreversible structural and functional changes in the brain, leading to neuropsychiatric disorders in the active phase of the disease, which persist. Sustained deterioration of the cardiovascular system, bone remodeling, and cognitive function along with neuropsychological impairment are associated with high morbidity and poor quality of life before and after remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Webb
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBER-ER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII, c/Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, Barcelona 08025, Spain; Department of Medicine, Hospital Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBER-ER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII, c/Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, Barcelona 08025, Spain
| | - Elena Valassi
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBER-ER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII, c/Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, Barcelona 08025, Spain; Department of Medicine, Hospital Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBER-ER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII, c/Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, Barcelona 08025, Spain.
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Andela CD, Lobatto DJ, Pereira AM, van Furth WR, Biermasz NR. How non-functioning pituitary adenomas can affect health-related quality of life: a conceptual model and literature review. Pituitary 2018; 21:208-216. [PMID: 29302835 PMCID: PMC5849670 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-017-0860-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
After treatment for a non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFA) health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) improves considerably. However, the literature about the normalization of HR-QoL after treatment is inconclusive. Some researchers described a persistently decreased HR-QoL compared to reference data, while others did not. Considering this variety in observed HR-QoL outcomes, the aim of the present review was to provide a literature overview of health outcomes in patients with a NFA, using a conceptual HR-QoL model. A concrete conceptualization of the health outcomes of patients with a NFA can be helpful to understand the observed variety in HR-QoL outcomes and to improve clinical care and guidance of these patients. For this conceptualization, the Wilson and Cleary model was used. This model has a biopsychosocial character and has been validated in several patient populations. In the present review, health outcomes of patients with a NFA were described at each stage of the model e.g. biological and physiological variables, symptom status, functional status, general health perceptions and overall HR-QoL. The Wilson-Cleary model elucidates that elements at each stage of the model can contribute to the impairment in HR-QoL of patients with a NFA, which explains the reported variety in the literature. Furthermore, by applying the model, potential interventions targeting these elements can be identified. While optimal biomedical treatment has always been the focus, it is clearly not sufficient for good HR-QoL in patients with a NFA. Further improvement of HR-QoL should be supported by a pituitary specific care trajectory, including psychosocial care (e.g. self-management training), to beneficially affect characteristics of the patient and the (healthcare) environment, with the utmost goal to optimize HR-QoL in patients after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelie D Andela
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Center for Endocrine Tumors, C7-Q, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Daniel J Lobatto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alberto M Pereira
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Center for Endocrine Tumors, C7-Q, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter R van Furth
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nienke R Biermasz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Center for Endocrine Tumors, C7-Q, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Winter SD, Depaoli S, Tiemensma J. Assessing Differences in How the CushingQoL Is Interpreted Across Countries: Comparing Patients From the U.S. and the Netherlands. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:368. [PMID: 30042732 PMCID: PMC6048230 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cultural factors influence how individuals define, evaluate, and approach their quality of life (QoL). The CushingQoL is a widely used disease-specific questionnaire to assess QoL in patients with Cushing's syndrome. However, there is no information about potential cross-country differences in the way patients interpret the items on the CushingQoL. Thus, the current study examined if the CushingQoL is interpreted in the same way across nationalities. Methods: Patients from the U.S. (n = 260) and the Netherlands (n = 103) were asked to fill out the CushingQoL and a short demographics survey. Measurement invariance testing was utilized to explore whether or not the patient samples from the U.S. and the Netherlands interpreted items on the CushingQoL in the same way. Results: A two-subscale scoring approach was used for the CushingQoL. Model fit was good for the U.S. sample (e.g., CFI = 0.983; TLI = 0.979), as well as the Dutch sample (e.g., CFI = 0.971; TLI = 0.964). Invariance testing revealed that three of the 12 items on the CushingQoL were interpreted differently across the groups. These items are all related to psychosocial issues (e.g., irritable mood and worrying about one's health). Items assessing physical aspects of QoL did not vary across the U.S. and Dutch samples. Conclusions: Interpreting results from the CushingQoL requires careful consideration of country of residence, as this appears to impact the interpretation of the questionnaire.
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The impact of transsphenoidal surgery on neurocognitive function: A systematic review. J Clin Neurosci 2017; 42:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Ragnarsson O, Stomby A, Dahlqvist P, Evang JA, Ryberg M, Olsson T, Bollerslev J, Nyberg L, Johannsson G. Decreased prefrontal functional brain response during memory testing in women with Cushing's syndrome in remission. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 82:117-125. [PMID: 28544904 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Neurocognitive dysfunction is an important feature of Cushing's syndrome (CS). Our hypothesis was that patients with CS in remission have decreased functional brain responses in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus during memory testing. In this cross-sectional study we included 19 women previously treated for CS and 19 controls matched for age, gender, and education. The median remission time was 7 (IQR 6-10) years. Brain activity was studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging during episodic- and working-memory tasks. The primary regions of interest were the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. A voxel-wise comparison of functional brain responses in patients and controls was performed. During episodic-memory encoding, patients displayed lower functional brain responses in the left and right prefrontal gyrus (p<0.001) and in the right inferior occipital gyrus (p<0.001) compared with controls. There was a trend towards lower functional brain responses in the left posterior hippocampus in patients (p=0.05). During episodic-memory retrieval, the patients displayed lower functional brain responses in several brain areas with the most predominant difference in the right prefrontal cortex (p<0.001). During the working memory task, patients had lower response in the prefrontal cortices bilaterally (p<0.005). Patients, but not controls, had lower functional brain response during a more complex working memory task compared with a simpler one. In conclusion, women with CS in long-term remission have reduced functional brain responses during episodic and working memory testing. This observation extends previous findings showing long-term adverse effects of severe hypercortisolaemia on brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Ragnarsson
- Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
| | - Andreas Stomby
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Ryhov County Hospital, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Per Dahlqvist
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan A Evang
- Section of Specialised Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Norway
| | - Mats Ryberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tommy Olsson
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jens Bollerslev
- Section of Specialised Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Norway; Faculty of Medicine, University in Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Nyberg
- Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Radiation Sciences and Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Gudmundur Johannsson
- Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
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Pivonello R, De Martino MC, De Leo M, Simeoli C, Colao A. Cushing's disease: the burden of illness. Endocrine 2017; 56:10-18. [PMID: 27189147 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-0984-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cushing's syndrome is caused by prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol levels. The most common form of endogenous Cushing's syndrome is Cushing's disease, which results from an adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting pituitary tumour. Cushing's disease is associated with increased mortality, mostly attributable to cardiovascular complications, and a host of comorbidities such as metabolic and skeletal disorders, infections and neuropsychiatric disturbances. As a consequence, Cushing's disease substantially impairs health-related quality of life. It is crucial that the condition is diagnosed as early as possible, and that rapid and effective treatment is initiated in order to limit long-term morbidity and mortality. The initial treatment of choice for Cushing's disease is selective transsphenoidal pituitary surgery; however, the risk of recurrence after initial surgery is high and remains so for many decades after surgery. A particular concern is the growing body of evidence indicating that the negative physical and psychosocial sequelae of chronic hypercortisolism may persist in patients with Cushing's disease even after long-term surgical 'cure'. Current treatment options for post-surgical patients with persistent or recurrent Cushing's disease include second surgery, radiotherapy, bilateral adrenalectomy and medical therapy; however, each approach has its limitations and there is an unmet need for more efficacious treatments. The current review provides an overview of the burden of illness of Cushing's disease, underscoring the need for prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, as well as highlighting the need for better therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Cristina De Martino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Monica De Leo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Simeoli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via S. Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
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Glad CAM, Andersson-Assarsson JC, Berglund P, Bergthorsdottir R, Ragnarsson O, Johannsson G. Reduced DNA methylation and psychopathology following endogenous hypercortisolism - a genome-wide study. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44445. [PMID: 28300138 PMCID: PMC5353706 DOI: 10.1038/srep44445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Cushing’s Syndrome (CS) in remission were used as a model to test the hypothesis that long-standing excessive cortisol exposure induces changes in DNA methylation that are associated with persisting neuropsychological consequences. Genome-wide DNA methylation was assessed in 48 women with CS in long-term remission (cases) and 16 controls matched for age, gender and education. The Fatigue impact scale and the comprehensive psychopathological rating scale were used to evaluate fatigue, depression and anxiety. Cases had lower average global DNA methylation than controls (81.2% vs 82.7%; p = 0.002). Four hundred and sixty-one differentially methylated regions, containing 3,246 probes mapping to 337 genes were identified. After adjustment for age and smoking, 731 probes in 236 genes were associated with psychopathology (fatigue, depression and/or anxiety). Twenty-four gene ontology terms were associated with psychopathology; terms related to retinoic acid receptor signalling were the most common (adjusted p = 0.0007). One gene in particular, COL11A2, was associated with fatigue following a false discovery rate correction. Our findings indicate that hypomethylation of FKBP5 and retinoic acid receptor related genes serve a potential mechanistic explanation for long-lasting GC-induced psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla A M Glad
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johanna C Andersson-Assarsson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Berglund
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ragnhildur Bergthorsdottir
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Oskar Ragnarsson
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gudmundur Johannsson
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Valassi E, Crespo I, Keevil BG, Aulinas A, Urgell E, Santos A, Trainer PJ, Webb SM. Affective alterations in patients with Cushing's syndrome in remission are associated with decreased BDNF and cortisone levels. Eur J Endocrinol 2017; 176:221-231. [PMID: 27932530 DOI: 10.1530/eje-16-0779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Affective alterations and poorer quality of life often persist in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) in remission. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and is highly expressed in brain areas controlling mood and response to stress. Our aims were to assess affective alterations after long-term remission of CS and evaluate whether they are associated with serum BDNF, salivary cortisol (SalF) and/or cortisone (SalE) concentrations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty-six CS patients in remission (32 females/4 males; mean age (±s.d.), 48.8 ± 11.8 years; median duration of remission, 72 months) and 36 gender-, age- and BMI-matched controls were included. Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and EuroQoL and CushingQoL questionnaires were completed and measured to evaluate anxiety, depression, stress perception and quality of life (QoL) respectively. Salivary cortisol was measured using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/TMS). BDNF was measured in serum using an ELISA. RESULTS Remitted CS patients showed worse scores in all questionnaires than controls: STAI (P < 0.001), BDI (P < 0.001), CES-D (P < 0.001), PANAS (P < 0.01), PSS (P < 0.01) and EuroQoL (P < 0.01). A decrease in BDNF was observed in CS vs controls (P = 0.038), and low BDNF was associated with more anxiety (r = -0.247, P = 0.037), depression (r = -0.249, P = 0.035), stress (r = -0.277, P = 0.019) and affective balance (r = 0.243, P = 0.04). Morning salivary cortisone was inversely associated with trait anxiety (r = -0.377, P = 0.040) and depressed affect (r = -0.392, P = 0.032) in CS patients. Delay to diagnosis was associated with depressive symptoms (BDI-II: r = 0.398, P = 0.036 and CES-D: r = 0.449, P = 0.017) and CushingQoL scoring (r = -0.460, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Low BDNF levels are associated with affective alterations in 'cured' CS patients, including depression, anxiety and impaired stress perception. Elevated levels of SalE might also be related to poor affective status in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Valassi
- Endocrinology/Medicine DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Crespo
- Endocrinology/Medicine DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - B G Keevil
- Department of Clinical BiochemistryUniversity Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - A Aulinas
- Endocrinology/Medicine DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Urgell
- Biochemistry DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Santos
- Endocrinology/Medicine DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - P J Trainer
- Department of EndocrinologyThe Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - S M Webb
- Endocrinology/Medicine DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
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49
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Anderson RM, Glanz RM, Johnson SB, Miller MM, Romig-Martin SA, Radley JJ. Prolonged corticosterone exposure induces dendritic spine remodeling and attrition in the rat medial prefrontal cortex. J Comp Neurol 2016; 524:3729-3746. [PMID: 27113541 PMCID: PMC5063662 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The stress-responsive hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a central role in promoting adaptations acutely, whereas adverse effects on physiology and behavior following chronic challenges may result from overactivity of this system. Elevations in glucocorticoids, the end-products of HPA activation, play roles in adaptive and maladaptive processes by targeting cognate receptors throughout neurons in limbic cortical networks to alter synaptic functioning. Because previous work has shown that chronic stress leads to functionally relevant regressive alterations in dendritic spine shape and number in pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), this study examines the capacity of sustained increases in circulating corticosterone (B) alone to alter dendritic spine morphology and density in this region. Subcutaneous B pellets were implanted in rats to provide continuous exposure to levels approximating the circadian mean or peak of the steroid for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Pyramidal neurons in the prelimbic area of the mPFC were selected for intracellular fluorescent dye filling, followed by high-resolution three-dimensional imaging and analysis of dendritic arborization and spine morphometry. Two or more weeks of B exposure decreased dendritic spine volume in the mPFC, whereas higher dose exposure of the steroid resulted in apical dendritic retraction and spine loss in the same cell population, with thin spine subtypes showing the greatest degree of attrition. Finally, these structural alterations were noted to persist following a 3-week washout period and corresponding restoration of circadian HPA rhythmicity. These studies suggest that prolonged disruptions in adrenocortical functioning may be sufficient to induce enduring regressive structural and functional alterations in the mPFC. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:3729-3746, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Anderson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
| | - Ryan M Glanz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
| | - Shane B Johnson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
| | - Mary M Miller
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
| | - Sara A Romig-Martin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
| | - Jason J Radley
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242.
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50
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Crespo I, Santos A, Gómez-Ansón B, López-Mourelo O, Pires P, Vives-Gilabert Y, Webb SM, Resmini E. Brain metabolite abnormalities in ventromedial prefrontal cortex are related to duration of hypercortisolism and anxiety in patients with Cushing's syndrome. Endocrine 2016; 53:848-56. [PMID: 27103571 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-0963-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to excessive glucocorticoid (GC) concentration in Cushing's syndrome (CS) can affect the brain structurally and functionally; ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is rich in GC receptors and therefore particularly vulnerable to excessive GC concentration. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) is a sensitive, non-invasive imaging technique that provides information on brain metabolites in vivo. Our aim was to investigate metabolite concentrations in vmPFC of CS patients and their relationship with clinical outcome. Twenty-two right-handed CS patients (7 active/15 in remission, 19 females, 41.6 ± 12.3 years) and 22 right-handed healthy controls (14 females, 41.7 ± 11 years) underwent brain MRI and (1)H-MRS exams at 3 Tesla. Concentrations of glutamate (Glu), glutamate + glutamine (Glx), creatine (Cr), N-Acetyl-aspartate (NAA), N-Acetyl-aspartate + N-acetylaspartylglutamate (total NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho) and myoinositol (MI) were determined. Moreover, anxiety and depressive symptoms were evaluated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) test, respectively. CS patients had lower concentrations of glutamate and total NAA in the vmPFC than healthy controls (8.6 ± 1.2 vs. 9.3 ± 0.7 mmol/L, and 6.4 ± 0.8 vs. 6.8 ± 0.4 mmol/L, respectively; p < 0.05). Duration of hypercortisolism was negatively correlated with total NAA (r = -0.488, p < 0.05). Moreover, the concentration of total NAA was negatively correlated with anxiety state (r = -0.359, p < 0.05). Brain metabolites are abnormal in the vmPFC of patients with CS. Decreased total NAA and glutamate concentrations indicate neuronal dysfunction that appear to be related with duration of hypercortisolism and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Crespo
- Endocrinology/Medicine Departments, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), C/Sant Antoni Maria Claret n.167, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alicia Santos
- Endocrinology/Medicine Departments, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), C/Sant Antoni Maria Claret n.167, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Gómez-Ansón
- Neuroradiology Unit, Hospital de Sant Pau, and IIB-Sant Pau, UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Patricia Pires
- INNDACYT, Avda. Europa, 20, Planta Baja Puerta, D 08907, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | | | - Susan M Webb
- Endocrinology/Medicine Departments, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), C/Sant Antoni Maria Claret n.167, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eugenia Resmini
- Endocrinology/Medicine Departments, Hospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), C/Sant Antoni Maria Claret n.167, 08025, Barcelona, Spain.
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