1
|
Shang G, Zhou T, Yu X, Yan X, He K, Liu B, Feng Z, Xu J, Zhang Y, Yu X. Chronic hypercortisolism disrupts the principal functional gradient in Cushing's disease: A multi-scale connectomics and transcriptomics study. Neuroimage Clin 2024; 43:103652. [PMID: 39146836 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Cushing's disease (CD) represents a state of cortisol excess, serving as a model to investigate the effects of prolonged hypercortisolism on functional brain. Potential alterations in the functional connectome of the brain may explain frequently reported cognitive deficits and affective disorders in CD patients. This study aims to elucidate the effects of chronic hypercortisolism on the principal functional gradient, which represents a hierarchical architecture with gradual transitions across cognitive processes, by integrating connectomics and transcriptomics approaches. Utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 140 participants (86 CD patients, 54 healthy controls) recruited at a single center, we explored the alterations in the principal gradient in CD patients. Further, we thoroughly explored the underlying associative mechanisms of the observed characteristic alterations with cognitive function domains, biological attributes, and neuropsychiatric representations, as well as gene expression profiles. Compared to healthy controls, CD patients demonstrated changes in connectome patterns in both primary and higher-order networks, exhibiting an overall converged trend along the principal gradient axis. The gradient values in CD patients' right prefrontal cortex and bilateral sensorimotor cortices exhibited a significant correlation with cortisol levels. Moreover, the cortical regions showing gradient alterations were principally associated with sensory information processing and higher-cognitive functions, as well as correlated with the gene expression patterns which involved synaptic components and function. The findings suggest that converged alterations in the principal gradient in CD patients may mediate the relationship between hypercortisolism and cognitive impairments, potentially involving genes regulating synaptic components and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guosong Shang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Neurosurgery Institute, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoteng Yu
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Urology, Peking University, National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyuan Yan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kunyu He
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China
| | - Zhebin Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, PLA 942 Hospital, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Junpeng Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China
| | - Yanyang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Neurosurgery Institute, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Xinguang Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China; Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China; Neurosurgery Institute, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lalonde R, Strazielle C. Neurochemical Anatomy of Cushing's Syndrome. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:1945-1964. [PMID: 38833089 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04172-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
The neurochemical anatomy underlying Cushing's syndrome is examined for regional brain metabolism as well as neurotransmitter levels and receptor binding of biogenic amines and amino acids. Preliminary studies generally indicate that glucose uptake, blood flow, and activation on fMRI scans decreased in neocortical areas and increased in subcortical areas of patients with Cushing's syndrome or disease. Glucocorticoid-mediated increases in hippocampal metabolism occurred despite in vitro evidence of glucocorticoid-induced decreases in glucose uptake or consumption, indicating that in vivo increases are the result of indirect, compensatory, or preliminary responses. In animal studies, glucocorticoid administration decreased 5HT levels and 5HT1A receptor binding in several brain regions while adrenalectomy increased such binding. Region-specific effects were also obtained in regard to the dopaminergic system, with predominant actions of glucocorticoid-induced potentiation of reuptake blockers and releasing agents. More in-depth neuroanatomical analyses are warranted of these and amino acid-related neurotransmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Lalonde
- Laboratory of Stress, Immunity, Pathogens (UR SIMPA), University of Lorraine, Campus Santé, Bât A/B 9, avenue de la Forêt de Haye, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, 54500, France.
| | - Catherine Strazielle
- Laboratory of Stress, Immunity, Pathogens (UR SIMPA), University of Lorraine, Campus Santé, Bât A/B 9, avenue de la Forêt de Haye, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, 54500, France
- CHRU Nancy, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
van’t Westeinde A, Padilla N, Fletcher-Sandersjöö S, Kämpe O, Bensing S, Lajic S. Increased Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Patients With Autoimmune Addison Disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:701-710. [PMID: 37820745 PMCID: PMC10876407 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Individuals with autoimmune Addison disease (AAD) take replacement medication for the lack of adrenal-derived glucocorticoid (GC) and mineralocorticoid hormones from diagnosis. The brain is highly sensitive to these hormones, but the consequence of having AAD for brain health has not been widely addressed. OBJECTIVE The present study compared resting-state functional connectivity (rs-fc) of the brain between individuals with AAD and healthy controls. METHODS Fifty-seven patients with AAD (33 female) and 69 healthy controls (39 female), aged 19 to 43 years were scanned with 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS Independent component and subsequent dual regression analyses revealed that individuals with AAD had stronger rs-fc compared to controls in 3 networks: the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the left medial visual and left posterior default mode network. A higher GC replacement dose was associated with stronger rs-fc in a small part of the left OFC in patients. We did not find any clear associations between rs-fc and executive functions or mental fatigue. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that having AAD affects the baseline functional organization of the brain and that current treatment strategies of AAD may be one risk factor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annelies van’t Westeinde
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nelly Padilla
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Unit for Neonatology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Fletcher-Sandersjöö
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet and Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden and Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sophie Bensing
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet and Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Svetlana Lajic
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-416 50 Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Changes in resting-state functional connectivity in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. NEUROIMAGE: CLINICAL 2022; 35:103081. [PMID: 35700599 PMCID: PMC9194649 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with CAH showed increased functional connectivity during rest in the precuneus compared with controls. This change may reflect a functional reorganisation in response to the CAH disease. The change in functional connectivity may also depend on the severity of CAH.
Context Patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are treated with life-long glucocorticoid (GC) replacement therapy. Negative effects on cognition, brain structure and function during working memory tasks have been identified. To date, no studies on functional connectivity during rest have been performed in patients with CAH. Objective To investigate resting-state functional connectivity in patients with CAH compared with healthy untreated controls and the association between functional connectivity in the precuneus and disease severity, dose of GC and working memory (WM). Design, Setting and Participants Thirty-one patients with CAH (18 females) and 38 healthy controls (24 females), aged 16–33 years, from a single research institute, underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain during rest. Results Patients with CAH showed increased functional connectivity in the precuneus compared with controls. Post-hoc tests within the precuneus showed that only patients with simple virilising CAH had stronger connectivity compared to controls. Further, while both patients with salt-wasting and simple virilising CAH performed worse on a WM task compared to controls, functional connectivity in the precuneus was not associated with executive function performance. Conclusion Patients with CAH demonstrated altered functional connectivity during rest in the precuneus. Such a change may reflect a functional reorganisation in response to the CAH disease. The change in functional connectivity may depend on the severity of CAH.
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang T, Jiang Q, Xu F, Zhang R, Liu D, Guo D, Wu J, Wen Y, Wang X, Jiang W, Bi H. Alternation of Resting-State Functional Connectivity Between Visual Cortex and Hypothalamus in Guinea Pigs With Experimental Glucocorticoid Enhanced Myopia After the Treatment of Electroacupuncture. Front Neuroinform 2021; 14:579769. [PMID: 33519409 PMCID: PMC7838498 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2020.579769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive glucocorticoids (GC) may lead to the aggravation of several basic diseases including myopia, due to plasma hormone imbalances associated with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPAA). Electroacupuncture (EA) is an effective therapeutic method to treat many diseases, although it remains unclear whether EA at acupoints on the foot or back would be effective in treating eye diseases. It was recently found that visual cortex activity for responses to visual stimuli with spatial frequency and resting-state functional connectivity (FC) between the supramarginal gyrus and rostrolateral prefrontal cortex was significantly reduced in patients with high myopia. The present study aims to investigate the role of the alternation of resting-state FC among the bilateral visual cortex and hypothalamus in exerting anti-myopia effects of EA in GC-enhanced lens-induced myopic (LIM) guinea pigs such that the mechanisms of EA to treat GC-enhanced myopia at Shenshu (BL23) acupoints can be probed. To confirm the effects of EA, ocular parameters including axial length and GC-associated physiological parameters such as animal appearance, behavior, bodyweight, and levels of four HPAA-associated plasma hormones [free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T)] were also collected. Increased resting-state FC between the left and right visual cortex was detected in GC-enhanced lens-induced myopic guinea pigs with EA at BL23 acupoints (LIM+GC+EA) guinea pigs compared to GC-enhanced lens-induced myopic guinea pigs with EA at sham acupoints (LIM+GC+Sham) guinea pigs, as well as suppressed myopia and recovery of symptoms initially caused by overdose of GC. Recovered symptoms included improved animal appearance, behavior, bodyweight, and HPAA-associated plasma hormone levels were observed after 4 weeks of EA treatment. In contrast, the LIM+GC+Sham group showed decreased FC with elongation of axial length for myopization as compared to the control group and LIM group and exhibited a deterioration in physiological parameters including reduced body weight and balance disruption in the four measured HPAA-associated plasma hormones. Our findings suggest that EA could effectively treat GC-enhanced myopia by increasing resting-state FC between the left and right visual cortices, which may be pivotal to further understanding the application and mechanisms of EA in treating GC-enhanced myopia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Furu Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Ruixue Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Dezheng Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Dadong Guo
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Disease, Eye Institute of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jianfeng Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Ying Wen
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xingrong Wang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Wenjun Jiang
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Disease, Eye Institute of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hongsheng Bi
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Therapy of Ocular Disease, Eye Institute of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
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.
Collapse
|
10
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cheng H, Gao L, Hou B, Feng F, Guo X, Wang Z, Feng M, Xing B, Fan Y. Reversibility of cerebral blood flow in patients with Cushing's disease after surgery treatment. Metabolism 2020; 104:154050. [PMID: 31863780 PMCID: PMC6938712 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2019.154050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Cushing's disease (CD) patients have metabolic abnormalities in the brain caused by excessive exposure to endogenous cortisol. However, the reversibility of brain metabolism of CD patients after treatment remains largely unknown. METHODS This study recruited 50 CD patients seeking treatment and 34 matched normal controls (NCs). The patients were treated with Transsphenoidal Adenomectomy (TSA) and reexamined 3 months later. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the patients was assessed using 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labelling (PCASL) imaging before the treatment and at the 3-month follow-up and were compared with CBF measure of the NCs using a whole-brain voxelwise group comparison method. For remitted patients, their CBF measures and hormone level measures, including adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 24-hour urinary free cortisol (24hUFC) and serum cortisol, were compared before and after the treatment. Finally, a correlation analysis was carried out to explore the relationship between changes of CBF and hormone level measures of the remitted CD patients. RESULTS After the treatment, 45 patients reached remission. Compared with the NCs, the CD patients before the treatment exhibited significantly reduced CBF in cortical regions, including occipital lobe, parietal lobe, superior/middle/inferior temporal gyrus, superior/middle/inferior frontal gyrus, orbitofrontal cortex, precentral gyrus, middle/posterior cingulate gyrus, and rolandic operculum, as well as significantly increased CBF in subcortical structures, including caudate, pallidum, putamen, limbic lobe, parahippocampal gyrus, hippocampus, thalamus, and amygdala (p < 0.01, false discovery rate corrected). For the remitted patients, the change in CBF before and after the treatment displayed a spatial pattern similar to the difference between the NCs and the CD patients before the treatment, and no significant difference in CBF was observed between the NCs and the remitted CD patients after the treatment. The changes of 24hUFC were significantly correlated with the changes of averaged CBF within the subcortical region in the remitted patients (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that the brain metabolic abnormalities of CD patients are reversible when their hormone level changes towards normal after surgery treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hewei Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Bioinformatics, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, PR China; Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Center for Biomedical Image Computing and Analytics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lu Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, PR China
| | - Bo Hou
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Feng Feng
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaopeng Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zihao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ming Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, PR China
| | - Bing Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Yong Fan
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Center for Biomedical Image Computing and Analytics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|