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Collet S, Bhaduri S, Kiyar M, Van Den Eynde T, Guillamon A, T'Sjoen G, Mueller SC. Testosterone administration affects 1H-MRS metabolite spectra in transgender men. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 156:106337. [PMID: 37536143 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106337] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, a variety of studies using different neuroimaging techniques attempted to identify the existence of a brain endophenotype in people with gender dysphoria (GD). However, despite mounting neuroimaging work, brain gender differences and effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) at the metabolite level remain understudied. METHODS Thirty-one transgender men (TM) before and after testosterone administration (7.7 months ± 3.5 months), relative to 30 cisgender men (CM) and 35 cisgender women (CW) underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) at two time points. Two brain regions were assessed, i.e. the lateral parietal cortex and the amygdala/anterior hippocampus. Associated metabolites that were measured include N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), glutamate and glutamine (Glx), myo-inositol (mI), glycine (Gly) and their respective ratios. RESULTS A critical time by group interaction revealed an effect of GAHT in the lateral parietal cortex of TM. MI+Gly/Cr ratios decreased upon initiation of GAHT. In addition, NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were lower in CW when compared to CM in the lateral parietal cortex. Glx levels and Glx/Cr ratios in TM differed from those in CW in the amygdala/anterior hippocampus. Interestingly, pubertal age of onset of gender dysphoria (i.e. GD) in TM differentially affected testosterone-mediated effects on Cr concentration and NAA/Cr ratios when compared to childhood and adult GD onset in the amygdala/anterior hippocampus. CONCLUSION This 1H-MRS study demonstrated that testosterone administration shifts mI+Gly/Cr ratios in the parietal cortex. In the amygdala/anterior hippocampus, modulation of metabolite concentrations by age of onset of GD is suggestive for a possible developmental trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Collet
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Sourav Bhaduri
- Symbiosis Centre for Medical Image Analysis, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India
| | - Meltem Kiyar
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | | | - Antonio Guillamon
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Madrid, Spain
| | - Guy T'Sjoen
- Department of Endocrinology, Center for Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sven C Mueller
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
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Carresi C, Cardamone A, Coppoletta AR, Mollace A, Musolino V, Gliozzi M, Mollace V. Imbalance of thalamic metabolites in an experimental model of hypertension: role of bergamot polyphenols. Front Integr Neurosci 2023; 17:1271005. [PMID: 37780094 PMCID: PMC10536961 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1271005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral metabolites are associated with different physiological and pathological processes in brain tissue. Among them, the concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and choline-containing compounds (Cho) in the thalamic region are recognized and analyzed as important predictive markers of brain impairment. The relationship among hypertension, modulation of brain metabolite levels and cerebral diseases is of recent investigation, leaving many unanswered questions regarding the origin and consequences of the metabolic damage caused in grey and white matter during hypertension. Here we provide evidence for the influence of hypertension on NAA and Cho ratios in hypertensive rat thalamus and how the use of natural occurring compounds ameliorates the balance of thalamic metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Carresi
- Veterinary Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Interregional Research Center for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Cardamone
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Interregional Research Center for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Coppoletta
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Interregional Research Center for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Annachiara Mollace
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Interregional Research Center for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Musolino
- Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Interregional Research Center for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Micaela Gliozzi
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Interregional Research Center for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mollace
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Interregional Research Center for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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Trifilio E, Shortell D, Olshan S, O’Neal A, Coyne J, Lamb D, Porges E, Williamson J. Impact of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on healthy cognitive and brain aging. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1184051. [PMID: 37575296 PMCID: PMC10416636 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1184051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence for clinically meaningful benefits of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been rapidly accumulating over the past 15 years. This relatively novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique has been applied to a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's disease. More recently, non-invasive forms of VNS have allowed for investigations within healthy aging populations. These results offer insight into protocol considerations specific to older adults and how to translate those results into effective clinical trials and, ultimately, effective clinical care. In this review, we characterize the possible mechanisms by which non-invasive VNS may promote healthy aging (e.g., neurotransmitter effects, inflammation regulation, functional connectivity changes), special considerations for applying non-invasive VNS in an older adult population (e.g., vagus nerve changes with age), and how non-invasive VNS may be used in conjunction with existing behavioral interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive training) to promote healthy emotional and cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Trifilio
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Destin Shortell
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sarah Olshan
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Alexandria O’Neal
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jozee Coyne
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Damon Lamb
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Eric Porges
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - John Williamson
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Bottari SA, Cohen RA, Friedman J, Porges EC, Chen A, Britton MK, Gunstad J, Woods AJ, Williamson JB. Change in medial frontal cerebral metabolite concentrations following bariatric surgery. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4897. [PMID: 36628927 PMCID: PMC11017471 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is associated with adverse effects on brain health, including an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Changes in cerebral metabolism may underlie or precede structural and functional brain changes. While bariatric surgery is known to be effective in inducing weight loss and improving obesity-related medical comorbidities, few studies have examined whether it may be able to improve brain metabolism. In the present study, we examined changes in cerebral metabolite concentrations in participants with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery. Thirty-five patients with obesity (body mass index ≥ 35 kg/m2 ) were recruited from a bariatric surgery candidate nutrition class. They completed single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at baseline (presurgery) and within 1 year postsurgery. Spectra were obtained from a large medial frontal brain region using a PRESS sequence on a 3-T Siemens Verio scanner. The acquisition parameters were TR = 3000 ms and TE = 37 ms. Tissue-corrected metabolite concentrations were determined using Osprey. Paired t-tests were used to examine within-subject change in metabolite concentrations, and correlations were used to relate these changes to other health-related outcomes, including weight loss and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ), a measure of blood sugar levels. Bariatric surgery was associated with a reduction in cerebral choline-containing compounds (Cho; t [34] = - 3.79, p < 0.001, d = -0.64) and myo-inositol (mI; t [34] = - 2.81, p < 0.01, d = -0.47) concentrations. There were no significant changes in N-acetyl-aspartate, creatine, or glutamate and glutamine concentrations. Reductions in Cho were associated with greater weight loss (r = 0.40, p < 0.05), and reductions in mI were associated with greater reductions in HbA1c (r = 0.44, p < 0.05). In conclusion, participants who underwent bariatric surgery exhibited reductions in cerebral Cho and mI concentrations, which were associated with improvements in weight loss and glycemic control. Given that elevated levels of Cho and mI have been implicated in neuroinflammation, reduction in these metabolites after bariatric surgery may reflect amelioration of obesity-related neuroinflammatory processes. As such, our results provide evidence that bariatric surgery may improve brain health and metabolism in individuals with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Bottari
- Center for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ronald A. Cohen
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jeffrey Friedman
- UF Health Bariatric Surgery Center, Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Eric C. Porges
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Alexa Chen
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mark K. Britton
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - John Gunstad
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA
| | - Adam J. Woods
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - John B. Williamson
- Center for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Iverson GL, Gaudet CE, Kissinger-Knox A, Karr JE. Normative Reference Values for Crystallized-Fluid Discrepancy Scores for the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2023; 38:608-618. [PMID: 36225110 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acac076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to translate NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) Crystallized-Fluid discrepancy scores into research and clinical practice with adults by providing normative data for discrepancy scores for both age-adjusted standard scores (SSs) and demographically adjusted T-scores. METHOD We included adult participants from the NIHTB-CB standardization sample who denied having neurodevelopmental, medical, psychiatric, or neurological conditions (n = 730; M = 47.4 years old, SD = 17.6, range: 18-85; 64.4% women; 63.1% White). Descriptive statistics were calculated for the Fluid and Crystallized composite scores and Crystallized-Fluid discrepancy score, along with correlations between the composite scores and reliability estimates of the discrepancy score. Percentiles were calculated for the discrepancy score, with stratifications by the gender, education, and Crystallized composite for the age-adjusted SSs and demographically adjusted T-scores (T). RESULTS Crystallized-Fluid discrepancy scores ranged from -40 to 44 (M = -0.63, SD = 14.89, Mdn = -1, interquartile range [IQR]: -11 to 10) for age-adjusted SSs and from -29 to 27 (M = -0.39, SD = 10.49, Mdn = -1, IQR = -8 to 7) for demographically adjusted T-scores. Crystallized-Fluid discrepancy scores of SS = 15 and T = 11 were at the 16th percentile (1 SD below the mean) and discrepancy scores of SS = 21 and T = 15 were at the 7th percentile (1.5 SD below the mean). CONCLUSIONS Crystallized-Fluid discrepancy scores may be, with future research, a useful within-person interpretive approach for detecting a decline from pre-injury or pre-disease levels of cognitive functioning. These normative reference values assist clinicians and researchers in determining the frequency at which given Crystallized-Fluid discrepancy scores occurred among healthy adults in the normative sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant L Iverson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- MassGeneral Hospital for Children Sports Concussion Program, Boston, MA, USA
- Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Charles E Gaudet
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- MassGeneral Hospital for Children Sports Concussion Program, Boston, MA, USA
- Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Alicia Kissinger-Knox
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Institute, Charlestown, MA, USA
- MassGeneral Hospital for Children Sports Concussion Program, Boston, MA, USA
- Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Justin E Karr
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Kwon KJ, Byun JY. Asymmetry of Gray- and White-Matter Volume and Metabolites in the Central-Vestibular System in Healthy Individuals. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041272. [PMID: 36835808 PMCID: PMC9967821 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to determine whether there was an asymmetry of structure and neurochemical activity of the interhemispheric vestibular-cortical system between healthy individuals and patients with vestibular failure. Previous studies have identified differences in gray-matter-volume (GMV) and white-matter-volume (WMV) asymmetry in the central-vestibular system and in concentrations of brain metabolites in the parietal lobe 2 (PO2) between patients with vestibulopathy and healthy controls. However, a comparison of the left and right sides in the healthy controls has not been made conclusively. This study included 23 healthy right-handed volunteers, and was carried out between March 2016 and March 2020. A three-dimensional T1-weighted image was used to calculate the GMV and WMV of the central-vestibular network on both sides, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H1MRS) was employed to analyze the brain metabolites in the PO2 area. The relative ratios of N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/tCr, tNAA/tCr, glycerophosphocholine (GPC)/tCr, Glx/tCr, and myo-inositol/tCr were quantified from the proton-MRS data. GMV and WMV differed significantly between the right and left vestibular-cortical regions. The GMVs of the right PO2, caudate, insula, and precuneus were significantly higher than those of the same locations on the left side; however, in the Rolandic operculum, the GMV on the left was significantly higher than on the right. In the PO2, Rolandic operculum, thalamus, and insula, the WMV on the left side was higher than on the right side of the corresponding location. However, the right caudate and precuneus WMV were higher than the left at the same location. In the H1MRS study, the Glx/tCr and GPC/tCr ratios on the left side were significantly higher than on the right. In comparison, the NAA/tCr and tNAA/tCr ratios showed contrasting results. The NAA/tCr ratio (r = -0.478, p = 0.021), tNAA/tCr ratio (r = -0.537, p = 0.008), and Glx/tCr ratio (r = -0.514, p = 0.012) on the right side showed a significant negative correlation with the participants' age. There was no relationship between GMV and metabolites on either side. Brain structure and concentrations of brain metabolites related to the vestibular system may differ between the two hemispheres in healthy individuals. Therefore, the asymmetry of the central-vestibular system should be considered when performing imaging.
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Gong T, Hui SCN, Zöllner HJ, Britton M, Song Y, Chen Y, Gudmundson AT, Hupfeld KE, Davies-Jenkins CW, Murali-Manohar S, Porges EC, Oeltzschner G, Chen W, Wang G, Edden RAE. Neurometabolic timecourse of healthy aging. Neuroimage 2022; 264:119740. [PMID: 36356822 PMCID: PMC9902072 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The neurometabolic timecourse of healthy aging is not well-established, in part due to diversity of quantification methodology. In this study, a large structured cross-sectional cohort of male and female subjects throughout adulthood was recruited to investigate neurometabolic changes as a function of age, using consensus-recommended magnetic resonance spectroscopy quantification methods. METHODS 102 healthy volunteers, with approximately equal numbers of male and female participants in each decade of age from the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, were recruited with IRB approval. MR spectroscopic data were acquired on a 3T MRI scanner. Metabolite spectra were acquired using PRESS localization (TE=30 ms; 96 transients) in the centrum semiovale (CSO) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Water-suppressed spectra were modeled using the Osprey algorithm, employing a basis set of 18 simulated metabolite basis functions and a cohort-mean measured macromolecular spectrum. Pearson correlations were conducted to assess relationships between metabolite concentrations and age for each voxel; Spearman correlations were conducted where metabolite distributions were non-normal. Paired t-tests were run to determine whether metabolite concentrations differed between the PCC and CSO. Finally, robust linear regressions were conducted to assess both age and sex as predictors of metabolite concentrations in the PCC and CSO and separately, to assess age, signal-noise ratio, and full width half maximum (FWHM) linewidth as predictors of metabolite concentrations. RESULTS Data from four voxels were excluded (2 ethanol; 2 unacceptably large lipid signal). Statistically-significant age*metabolite Pearson correlations were observed for tCho (r(98)=0.33, p<0.001), tCr (r(98)=0.60, p<0.001), and mI (r(98)=0.32, p=0.001) in the CSO and for NAAG (r(98)=0.26, p=0.008), tCho(r(98)=0.33, p<0.001), tCr (r(98)=0.39, p<0.001), and Gln (r(98)=0.21, p=0.034) in the PCC. Spearman correlations for non-normal variables revealed a statistically significant correlation between sI and age in the CSO (r(86)=0.26, p=0.013). No significant correlations were seen between age and tNAA, NAA, Glx, Glu, GSH, PE, Lac, or Asp in either region (all p>0.20). Age associations for tCho, tCr, mI and sI in the CSO and for NAAG, tCho, and tCr in the PCC remained when controlling for sex in robust regressions. CSO NAAG and Asp, as well as PCC tNAA, sI, and Lac were higher in women; PCC Gln was higher in men. When including an age*sex interaction term in robust regression models, a significant age*sex interaction was seen for tCho (F(1,96)=11.53, p=0.001) and GSH (F(1,96)=7.15, p=0.009) in the CSO and tCho (F(1,96)=9.17, p=0.003), tCr (F(1,96)=9.59, p=0.003), mI (F(1,96)=6.48, p=0.012), and Lac (F(1,78)=6.50, p=0.016) in the PCC. In all significant interactions, metabolite levels increased with age in females, but not males. There was a significant positive correlation between linewidth and age. Age relationships with tCho, tCr, and mI in the CSO and tCho, tCr, mI, and sI in the PCC were significant after controlling for linewidth and FWHM in robust regressions. CONCLUSION The primary (correlation) results indicated age relationships for tCho, tCr, mI, and sI in the CSO and for NAAG, tCho, tCr, and Gln in the PCC, while no age correlations were found for tNAA, NAA, Glx, Glu, GSH, PE, Lac, or Asp in either region. Our results provide a normative foundation for future work investigating the neurometabolic time course of healthy aging using MRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Gong
- Departments of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Departments of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Steve C N Hui
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Helge J Zöllner
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Mark Britton
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; McKnight Brain Research Foundation, University of Florida, FL, United States of America; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Yulu Song
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Yufan Chen
- Departments of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Aaron T Gudmundson
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Kathleen E Hupfeld
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Christopher W Davies-Jenkins
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Saipavitra Murali-Manohar
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Eric C Porges
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America; McKnight Brain Research Foundation, University of Florida, FL, United States of America; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Georg Oeltzschner
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | | | - Guangbin Wang
- Departments of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China; Departments of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China.
| | - Richard A E Edden
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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Nucera S, Ruga S, Cardamone A, Coppoletta AR, Guarnieri L, Zito MC, Bosco F, Macrì R, Scarano F, Scicchitano M, Maiuolo J, Carresi C, Mollace R, Cariati L, Mazzarella G, Palma E, Gliozzi M, Musolino V, Cascini GL, Mollace V. MAFLD progression contributes to altered thalamus metabolism and brain structure. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1207. [PMID: 35075185 PMCID: PMC8786899 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05228-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), commonly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, represents a continuum of events characterized by excessive hepatic fat accumulation which can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and in some severe cases hepatocellular carcinoma. MAFLD might be considered as a multisystem disease that affects not only the liver but involves wider implications, relating to several organs and systems, the brain included. The present study aims to investigate changes associated with MAFLD-induced alteration of thalamic metabolism in vivo. DIAMOND (Diet-induced animal model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) mice were fed a chow diet and tap water (NC NW) or fat Western Diet (WD SW) for up to 28 weeks. At the baseline and weeks 4, 8, 20, 28 the thalamic neurochemical profile and total cerebral brain volume were evaluated longitudinally in both diet groups using 1H-MRS. To confirm the disease progression, at each time point, a subgroup of animals was sacrificed, the livers excised and placed in formalin. Liver histology was assessed and reviewed by an expert liver pathologist. MAFLD development significantly increases the thalamic levels of total N-acetylaspartate, total creatine, total choline, and taurine. Furthermore, in the WD SW group a reduction in total cerebral brain volume has been observed (p < 0.05 vs NC NW). Our results suggest that thalamic energy metabolism is affected by MAFLD progression. This metabolic imbalance, that is quantifiable by 1H-MRS in vivo, might cause structural damage to brain cells and dysfunctions of neurotransmitter release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saverio Nucera
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Ruga
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Cardamone
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Coppoletta
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Lorenza Guarnieri
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Zito
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Bosco
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Roberta Macrì
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Federica Scarano
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Miriam Scicchitano
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Jessica Maiuolo
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Cristina Carresi
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rocco Mollace
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luca Cariati
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mazzarella
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Micaela Gliozzi
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Musolino
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lucio Cascini
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mollace
- Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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Langer K, Cohen RA, Porges EC, Williamson JB, Woods AJ. Circulating Cytokines Predict 1H-Proton MRS Cerebral Metabolites in Healthy Older Adults. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:690923. [PMID: 34489672 PMCID: PMC8416992 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.690923] [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: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Changes in both circulating cytokines and neurochemical concentrations have been observed in aging. Patterns of change across these factors are associated with age-related pathologies, including neurodegenerative disease. More evidence to define patterns of change that are characteristic of healthy aging is needed, as is an investigation into how age-related changes in blood cytokines and brain neurochemicals may relate to one another in a healthy older adult population. Methods: Single voxel 1H-proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was collected in medial frontal and medial parietal regions. Phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine (Cho), myo-inositol (MI), N-acetylaspertate and N-acetylasperglutamate (NAA), creatine and phosphocreatine (Cr), and glutamate and glutamine (Glx) were measured in a sample of 83 healthy, cognitively normal adults aged 52–89. Blood data were collected to quantify 12 cytokines: interleukins (IL-) 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, IL-1 β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interferon γ (IFN-γ), and IL-17 α. Correlation analyses were performed to assess age relationships between each of these factors. Backward linear regressions were performed. Cytokine data and age were used as predictors of each cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-corrected metabolite concentration in both voxels. Results: Associations were identified between a variety of cytokines and concentrations of frontal NAA, Cr, and Glx, and of parietal MI, Cho, NAA, and Cr. In the frontal voxel, NAA was predicted by more IL-1B and less TNF-α, Cr by less TNF-α and more IL-5, and Glx by less TNF-α. In the parietal voxel, MI was predicted by more IL-10 and IL-8 and less IL-2, Cho by more TNF-α and less IL-2, NAA by more IL-1B and TNF-α and less IL-13, IL-2, and IL-7, and Cr by more IL-10 and less IL-2. Conclusions: Associations were identified between circulating cytokines and neurometabolite concentrations in this sample of older adults. The present results serve as the initial evidence of relationships between circulating cytokines and neurophysiology. Findings invite further investigation to understand the physiological consequences of aging, and how peripheral inflammatory markers may relate to neurochemical concentrations in healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailey Langer
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Clinical Translational Research Program, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ronald A Cohen
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Clinical Translational Research Program, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Eric C Porges
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Clinical Translational Research Program, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - John B Williamson
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Clinical Translational Research Program, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Adam J Woods
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Clinical Translational Research Program, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.,Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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10
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Collet S, Bhaduri S, Kiyar M, T’Sjoen G, Mueller S, Guillamon A. Characterization of the 1H-MRS Metabolite Spectra in Transgender Men with Gender Dysphoria and Cisgender People. J Clin Med 2021; 10:2623. [PMID: 34198690 PMCID: PMC8232168 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10122623] [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: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Much research has been conducted on sexual differences of the human brain to determine whether and to what extent a brain gender exists. Consequently, a variety of studies using different neuroimaging techniques attempted to identify the existence of a brain phenotype in people with gender dysphoria (GD). However, to date, brain sexual differences at the metabolite level using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) have not been explored in transgender people. In this study, 28 cisgender men (CM) and 34 cisgender women (CW) and 29 transgender men with GD (TMGD) underwent 1H-MRS at 3 Tesla MRI to characterize common brain metabolites. Specifically, levels of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), glutamate and glutamine (Glx), and myo-inositol + glycine (mI + Gly) were assessed in two brain regions, the amygdala-anterior hippocampus and the lateral parietal cortex. The results indicated a sex-assigned at birth pattern for Cho/Cr in the amygdala of TMGD. In the parietal cortex, a sex-assigned at birth and an intermediate pattern were found. Though assessed post-hoc, exploration of the age of onset of GD in TMGD demonstrated within-group differences in absolute NAA and relative Cho/Cr levels, suggestive for a possible developmental trend. While brain metabolite levels in TMGD resembled those of CW, some interesting findings, such as modulation of metabolite concentrations by age of onset of GD, warrant future inquiry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Collet
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sourav Bhaduri
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.B.); (M.K.); (S.M.)
| | - Meltem Kiyar
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.B.); (M.K.); (S.M.)
| | - Guy T’Sjoen
- Department of Endocrinology, Center for Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Sven Mueller
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.B.); (M.K.); (S.M.)
- Department of Personality, Psychological Assessment and Treatment, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Antonio Guillamon
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
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