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Angelini G, Malvaso A, Schirripa A, Campione F, D'Addario SL, Toschi N, Caligiore D. Unraveling sex differences in Parkinson's disease through explainable machine learning. J Neurol Sci 2024; 462:123091. [PMID: 38870732 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123091] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Sex differences affect Parkinson's disease (PD) development and manifestation. Yet, current PD identification and treatments underuse these distinctions. Sex-focused PD literature often prioritizes prevalence rates over feature importance analysis. However, underlying aspects could make a feature significant for predicting PD, despite its score. Interactions between features require consideration, as do distinctions between scoring disparities and actual feature importance. For instance, a higher score in males for a certain feature doesn't necessarily mean it's less important for characterizing PD in females. This article proposes an explainable Machine Learning (ML) model to elucidate these underlying factors, emphasizing the importance of features. This insight could be critical for personalized medicine, suggesting the need to tailor data collection and analysis for males and females. The model identifies sex-specific differences in PD, aiding in predicting outcomes as "Healthy" or "Pathological". It adopts a system-level approach, integrating heterogeneous data - clinical, imaging, genetics, and demographics - to study new biomarkers for diagnosis. The explainable ML approach aids non-ML experts in understanding model decisions, fostering trust and facilitating interpretation of complex ML outcomes, thus enhancing usability and translational research. The ML model identifies muscle rigidity, autonomic and cognitive assessments, and family history as key contributors to PD diagnosis, with sex differences noted. The genetic variant SNCA-rs356181 may be more significant in characterizing PD in males. Interaction analysis reveals a greater occurrence of feature interplay among males compared to females. These disparities offer insights into PD pathophysiology and could guide the development of sex-specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfrancesco Angelini
- Medical Physics Section, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Malvaso
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, National Neurological Institute, University of Pavia, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CTNLab-ISTC-CNR), Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 18A, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Aurelia Schirripa
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CTNLab-ISTC-CNR), Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 18A, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Campione
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CTNLab-ISTC-CNR), Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 18A, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastian Luca D'Addario
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CTNLab-ISTC-CNR), Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 18A, 00196 Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Toschi
- Medical Physics Section, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniele Caligiore
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CTNLab-ISTC-CNR), Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 18A, 00196 Rome, Italy; AI2Life s.r.l., Innovative Start-Up, ISTC-CNR Spin-Off, Via Sebino 32, 00199 Rome, Italy.
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Samson JS, Ramesh A, Parvathi VD. Development of Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons and the Advantage of Using hiPSCs as a Model System to Study Parkinson's Disease. Neuroscience 2024; 546:1-19. [PMID: 38522661 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.03.025] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons are significantly impaired in patients inflicted with Parkinson's disease (PD), subsequently affecting a variety of motor functions. There are four pathways through which dopamine elicits its function, namely, nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, mesocortical and tuberoinfundibular dopamine pathways. SHH and Wnt signalling pathways in association with favourable expression of a variety of genes, promotes the development and differentiation of mDA neurons in the brain. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the complex signalling pathways involved in development of mDA neurons. hiPSC models have been acclaimed to be effective in generating complex disease phenotypes. These models mimic the microenvironment found in vivo thus ensuring maximum reliability. Further, a variety of therapeutic compounds can be screened using hiPSCs since they can be used to generate neurons that could carry an array of mutations associated with both familial and sporadic PD. Thus, culturing hiPSCs to study gene expression and dysregulation of cellular processes associated with PD can be useful in developing targeted therapies that will be a step towards halting disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Sally Samson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600116, India
| | - Anuradha Ramesh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600116, India
| | - Venkatachalam Deepa Parvathi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600116, India.
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Oltra J, Segura B, Strafella AP, van Eimeren T, Ibarretxe-Bilbao N, Diez-Cirarda M, Eggers C, Lucas-Jiménez O, Monté-Rubio GC, Ojeda N, Peña J, Ruppert MC, Sala-Llonch R, Theis H, Uribe C, Junque C. A multi-site study on sex differences in cortical thickness in non-demented Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2024; 10:69. [PMID: 38521776 PMCID: PMC10960793 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-024-00686-2] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical, cognitive, and atrophy characteristics depending on sex have been previously reported in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, though sex differences in cortical gray matter measures in early drug naïve patients have been described, little is known about differences in cortical thickness (CTh) as the disease advances. Our multi-site sample comprised 211 non-demented PD patients (64.45% males; mean age 65.58 ± 8.44 years old; mean disease duration 6.42 ± 5.11 years) and 86 healthy controls (50% males; mean age 65.49 ± 9.33 years old) with available T1-weighted 3 T MRI data from four international research centers. Sex differences in regional mean CTh estimations were analyzed using generalized linear models. The relation of CTh in regions showing sex differences with age, disease duration, and age of onset was examined through multiple linear regression. PD males showed thinner cortex than PD females in six frontal (bilateral caudal middle frontal, bilateral superior frontal, left precentral and right pars orbitalis), three parietal (bilateral inferior parietal and left supramarginal), and one limbic region (right posterior cingulate). In PD males, lower CTh values in nine out of ten regions were associated with longer disease duration and older age, whereas in PD females, lower CTh was associated with older age but with longer disease duration only in one region. Overall, male patients show a more widespread pattern of reduced CTh compared with female patients. Disease duration seems more relevant to explain reduced CTh in male patients, suggesting worse prognostic over time. Further studies should explore sex-specific cortical atrophy trajectories using large longitudinal multi-site data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Oltra
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Faculty of Medicine, Clínic Campus, Carrer de Casanova, 143, Ala Nord, 5th floor, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Carrer del Rosselló, 149, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Barbara Segura
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Faculty of Medicine, Clínic Campus, Carrer de Casanova, 143, Ala Nord, 5th floor, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Carrer del Rosselló, 149, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Carrer de Villarroel, 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Antonio P Strafella
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., M5T 1R8, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Edmond J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Neurology Division, Toronto Western Hospital & Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 399 Bathurst Street, M5T 2S8, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Thilo van Eimeren
- Multimodal Neuroimaging Group, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Cologne, Kerpener Straße, 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Cologne, Kerpener Straße, 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Naroa Ibarretxe-Bilbao
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Avenida de las Universidades, 24, 48007, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Maria Diez-Cirarda
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Health Research Institute 'San Carlos' (IdISCC), Complutense University of Madrid, Calle del Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carsten Eggers
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Cologne, Kerpener Straße, 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg and Giessen Universiy, Hans-Meerwein-Straße, 6, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Olaia Lucas-Jiménez
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Avenida de las Universidades, 24, 48007, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Gemma C Monté-Rubio
- Centre for Comparative Medicine and Bioimaging (CMCiB), Gemans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Camí de les Escoles, s/n, 08916, Badalona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Natalia Ojeda
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Avenida de las Universidades, 24, 48007, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Javier Peña
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, Avenida de las Universidades, 24, 48007, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Marina C Ruppert
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg and Giessen Universiy, Hans-Meerwein-Straße, 6, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Roser Sala-Llonch
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Carrer del Rosselló, 149, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Faculty of Medicine, Clínic Campus, Carrer de Casanova, 143, Ala Nord, 5th floor, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Biomedical Imaging Group, Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN: CB06/01/1039-ISCIII), Carrer de Casanova, 143, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Hendrik Theis
- Multimodal Neuroimaging Group, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Cologne, Kerpener Straße, 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Cologne, Kerpener Straße, 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Carme Uribe
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., M5T 1R8, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carme Junque
- Medical Psychology Unit, Department of Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Faculty of Medicine, Clínic Campus, Carrer de Casanova, 143, Ala Nord, 5th floor, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Carrer del Rosselló, 149, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018-ISCIII), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Carrer de Villarroel, 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Oltra J, Habich A, Schwarz CG, Nedelska Z, Przybelski SA, Inguanzo A, Diaz‐Galvan P, Lowe VJ, Oppedal K, Gonzalez MC, Philippi N, Blanc F, Barkhof F, Lemstra AW, Hort J, Padovani A, Rektorova I, Bonanni L, Massa F, Kramberger MG, Taylor J, Snædal JG, Walker Z, Antonini A, Dierks T, Segura B, Junque C, Westman E, Boeve BF, Aarsland D, Kantarci K, Ferreira D. Sex differences in brain atrophy in dementia with Lewy bodies. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:1815-1826. [PMID: 38131463 PMCID: PMC10947875 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sex influences neurodegeneration, but it has been poorly investigated in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We investigated sex differences in brain atrophy in DLB using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS We included 436 patients from the European-DLB consortium and the Mayo Clinic. Sex differences and sex-by-age interactions were assessed through visual atrophy rating scales (n = 327; 73 ± 8 years, 62% males) and automated estimations of regional gray matter volume and cortical thickness (n = 165; 69 ± 9 years, 72% males). RESULTS We found a higher likelihood of frontal atrophy and smaller volumes in six cortical regions in males and thinner olfactory cortices in females. There were significant sex-by-age interactions in volume (six regions) and cortical thickness (seven regions) across the entire cortex. DISCUSSION We demonstrate that males have more widespread cortical atrophy at younger ages, but differences tend to disappear with increasing age, with males and females converging around the age of 75. HIGHLIGHTS Male DLB patients had higher odds for frontal atrophy on radiological visual rating scales. Male DLB patients displayed a widespread pattern of cortical gray matter alterations on automated methods. Sex differences in gray matter measures in DLB tended to disappear with increasing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Oltra
- Medical Psychology UnitDepartment of MedicineInstitute of NeuroscienceUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchDepartment of NeurobiologyCare Sciences and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Annegret Habich
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchDepartment of NeurobiologyCare Sciences and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | | | - Zuzana Nedelska
- Memory ClinicDepartment of NeurologyCharles University2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
| | | | - Anna Inguanzo
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchDepartment of NeurobiologyCare Sciences and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Val J. Lowe
- Department of RadiologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Ketil Oppedal
- Center for Age‐Related MedicineStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- Stavanger Medical Imaging Laboratory (SMIL)Department of RadiologyStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- The Norwegian Centre for Movement DisordersStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
| | - Maria C. Gonzalez
- Center for Age‐Related MedicineStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- Stavanger Medical Imaging Laboratory (SMIL)Department of RadiologyStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- The Norwegian Centre for Movement DisordersStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- Department of Quality and Health TechnologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of StavangerStavangerNorway
| | - Nathalie Philippi
- Geriatrics and Neurology UnitsResearch and Resources Memory Center (CM2R)Hôpitaux Universitaires de StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
- ICube Laboratory (CNRS, UMR 7357)StrasbourgFrance
| | - Frederic Blanc
- Geriatrics and Neurology UnitsResearch and Resources Memory Center (CM2R)Hôpitaux Universitaires de StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
- ICube Laboratory (CNRS, UMR 7357)StrasbourgFrance
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine (AMC)Amsterdam UMC, Vrije UniversiteitAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology and Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC)University College LondonLondonUK
| | - Afina W. Lemstra
- Alzheimer Center AmsterdamNeurologyVrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VumcAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam NeuroscienceNeurodegeneration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VumcAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Jakub Hort
- Memory ClinicDepartment of NeurologyCharles University2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Neurology UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Sciences (DSCS)University of BresciaBresciaItaly
| | - Irena Rektorova
- Brain and Mind ResearchCentral European Institute of Technology (CEITET)Masaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Laura Bonanni
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti‐Pescara ChietiChietiItaly
| | - Federico Massa
- Department of NeuroscienceRehabilitationOphthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child HealthUniversity of GenovaGenovaItaly
| | | | - John‐Paul Taylor
- Translational and Clinical Research InstituteFaculty of Medical SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | - Zuzana Walker
- Division of PsychiatryUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- St Margaret's HospitalEssex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustEssexUK
| | - Angelo Antonini
- Parkinson and Movement Disorders UnitStudy Center on Neurodegeneration (CESNE)PadovaItaly
| | - Thomas Dierks
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Barbara Segura
- Medical Psychology UnitDepartment of MedicineInstitute of NeuroscienceUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018‐ISCIII)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
| | - Carme Junque
- Medical Psychology UnitDepartment of MedicineInstitute of NeuroscienceUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018‐ISCIII)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
| | - Eric Westman
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchDepartment of NeurobiologyCare Sciences and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Dag Aarsland
- Center for Age‐Related MedicineStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- Department of Old Age PsychiatryInstitute of PsychiatryPsychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN)King's College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Daniel Ferreira
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchDepartment of NeurobiologyCare Sciences and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of RadiologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
- Facultad de Ciencias de la SaludUniversidad Fernando Pessoa CanariasLas PalmasEspaña
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Ferguson CE, Foley JA. The influence of working memory and processing speed on other aspects of cognitive functioning in de novo Parkinson's disease: Initial findings from network modelling and graph theory. J Neuropsychol 2024; 18:136-153. [PMID: 37366558 DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12333] [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: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in working memory (WM) and processing speed (PS) are thought to undermine other cognitive functions in de novo Parkinson's disease (dnPD). However, these interrelationships are only partially understood. This study investigated whether there are stronger relationships between verbal WM and verbal episodic memory encoding and retrieval, whether verbal WM and PS have a greater influence on other aspects of cognitive functioning, and whether the overall strength of interrelationships among several cognitive functions differs in dnPD compared to health. Data for 198 healthy controls (HCs) and 293 dnPD patients were analysed. Participants completed a neuropsychological battery probing verbal WM, PS, verbal episodic memory, semantic memory, language and visuospatial functioning. Deficit analysis, network modelling and graph theory were combined to compare the groups. Results suggested that verbal WM performance, while slightly impaired, was more strongly associated with measures of verbal episodic memory encoding and retrieval, as well as other measured cognitive functions in the dnPD network model compared to the HC network model. PS task performance was impaired and more strongly associated with other neuropsychological task scores in the dnPD model. Associations among task scores were stronger overall in the dnPD model. Together, these results provide further evidence that WM and PS are important influences on the other aspects of cognitive functioning measured in this study in dnPD. Moreover, they provide novel evidence that verbal WM and PS might bear greater influence on the other measured cognitive functions and that these functions are more strongly intertwined in dnPD compared to health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron E Ferguson
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Community Neurological Rehabilitation Service, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport, UK
| | - Jennifer A Foley
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neuropsychology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
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Beheshti I, Booth S, Ko JH. Differences in brain aging between sexes in Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2024; 10:35. [PMID: 38355735 PMCID: PMC10866976 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-024-00646-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is linked to faster brain aging. Male sex is associated with higher prevalence, severe symptoms, and a faster progression rate in PD. There remains a significant gap in understanding the function of sex in the process of brain aging in PD. The structural T1-weighted MRI-driven brain-predicted age difference (i.e., Brain-PAD: the actual age subtracted from the brain-predicted age) was computed in a group of 373 people with PD (mean age ± SD: 61.37 ± 9.81, age range: 33-85, 34% female) from the Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative database using a robust brain-age estimation framework that was trained on 949 healthy subjects. Linear regression models were used to investigate the association between Brain-PAD and clinical variables in PD, stratified by sex. Males with Parkinson's disease (PD-M) exhibited a significantly higher mean Brain-PAD than their female counterparts (PD-F) (t(256) = 2.50, p = 0.012). In the propensity score-matched PD-M group (PD-M*), Brain-PAD was found to be associated with a decline in general cognition, a worse degree of sleep behavior disorder, reduced visuospatial acuity, and caudate atrophy. Conversely, no significant links were observed between these factors and Brain-PAD in the PD-F group. Having 'older' looking brains in PD-M than PD-F supports the idea that sex plays a vital function in PD, such that the PD mechanism may be different in males and females. This study has the potential to broaden our understanding of dissimilarities in brain aging between sexes in the context of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Beheshti
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Health Science Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Samuel Booth
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Health Science Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Ji Hyun Ko
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
- Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Health Science Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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Moors TE, Li S, McCaffery TD, Ho GP, Bechade PA, Pham LN, Ericsson M, Nuber S. Increased palmitoylation improves estrogen receptor alpha-dependent hippocampal synaptic deficits in a mouse model of synucleinopathy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj1454. [PMID: 37976363 PMCID: PMC10957154 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj1454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by conversion of soluble α-synuclein (αS) into intraneuronal aggregates and degeneration of neurons and neuronal processes. Indications that women with early-stage PD display milder neurodegenerative features suggest that female sex partially protects against αS pathology. We previously reported that female sex and estradiol improved αS homeostasis and PD-like phenotypes in E46K-amplified (3K) αS mice. Here, we aimed to further dissect mechanisms that drive this sex dimorphism early in disease. We observed that synaptic abnormalities were delayed in females and improved by estradiol, mediated by local estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Aberrant ERα distribution in 3K compared to wild-type mice was paired with its decreased palmitoylation. Treatment with ML348, a de-palmitoylation inhibitor, increased ERα availability and soluble αS homeostasis, ameliorating synaptic plasticity and cognitive and motor phenotypes. Our finding that sex differences in early-disease αS-induced synaptic impairment in 3KL mice are in part mediated by palmitoylated ERα may have functional and pathogenic implications for clinical PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim E. Moors
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shaomin Li
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas D. McCaffery
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gary P. H. Ho
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pascal A. Bechade
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Luu N. Pham
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Maria Ericsson
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Silke Nuber
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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8
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Nieto-Escamez F, Obrero-Gaitán E, Cortés-Pérez I. Visual Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1173. [PMID: 37626529 PMCID: PMC10452537 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13081173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) include ocular, visuoperceptive, and visuospatial impairments, which can occur as a result of the underlying neurodegenerative process. Ocular impairments can affect various aspects of vision and eye movement. Thus, patients can show dry eyes, blepharospasm, reduced blink rate, saccadic eye movement abnormalities, smooth pursuit deficits, and impaired voluntary and reflexive eye movements. Furthermore, visuoperceptive impairments affect the ability to perceive and recognize visual stimuli accurately, including impaired contrast sensitivity and reduced visual acuity, color discrimination, and object recognition. Visuospatial impairments are also remarkable, including difficulties perceiving and interpreting spatial relationships between objects and difficulties judging distances or navigating through the environment. Moreover, PD patients can present visuospatial attention problems, with difficulties attending to visual stimuli in a spatially organized manner. Moreover, PD patients also show perceptual disturbances affecting their ability to interpret and determine meaning from visual stimuli. And, for instance, visual hallucinations are common in PD patients. Nevertheless, the neurobiological bases of visual-related disorders in PD are complex and not fully understood. This review intends to provide a comprehensive description of visual disturbances in PD, from sensory to perceptual alterations, addressing their neuroanatomical, functional, and neurochemical correlates. Structural changes, particularly in posterior cortical regions, are described, as well as functional alterations, both in cortical and subcortical regions, which are shown in relation to specific neuropsychological results. Similarly, although the involvement of different neurotransmitter systems is controversial, data about neurochemical alterations related to visual impairments are presented, especially dopaminergic, cholinergic, and serotoninergic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Nieto-Escamez
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Center for Neuropsychological Assessment and Rehabilitation (CERNEP), 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | - Esteban Obrero-Gaitán
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaen, Paraje Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaen, Spain;
| | - Irene Cortés-Pérez
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaen, Paraje Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaen, Spain;
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9
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Raheel K, Deegan G, Di Giulio I, Cash D, Ilic K, Gnoni V, Chaudhuri KR, Drakatos P, Moran R, Rosenzweig I. Sex differences in alpha-synucleinopathies: a systematic review. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1204104. [PMID: 37545736 PMCID: PMC10398394 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1204104] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Past research indicates a higher prevalence, incidence, and severe clinical manifestations of alpha-synucleinopathies in men, leading to a suggestion of neuroprotective properties of female sex hormones (especially estrogen). The potential pathomechanisms of any such effect on alpha-synucleinopathies, however, are far from understood. With that aim, we undertook to systematically review, and to critically assess, contemporary evidence on sex and gender differences in alpha-synucleinopathies using a bench-to-bedside approach. Methods In this systematic review, studies investigating sex and gender differences in alpha-synucleinopathies (Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Behavior Disorder (RBD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)) from 2012 to 2022 were identified using electronic database searches of PubMed, Embase and Ovid. Results One hundred sixty-two studies were included; 5 RBD, 6 MSA, 20 DLB and 131 PD studies. Overall, there is conclusive evidence to suggest sex-and gender-specific manifestation in demographics, biomarkers, genetics, clinical features, interventions, and quality of life in alpha-synucleinopathies. Only limited data exists on the effects of distinct sex hormones, with majority of studies concentrating on estrogen and its speculated neuroprotective effects. Conclusion Future studies disentangling the underlying sex-specific mechanisms of alpha-synucleinopathies are urgently needed in order to enable novel sex-specific therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kausar Raheel
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gemma Deegan
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- BRAIN, Imaging Centre, CNS, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Di Giulio
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Diana Cash
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- BRAIN, Imaging Centre, CNS, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katarina Ilic
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- BRAIN, Imaging Centre, CNS, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Gnoni
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Lecce, Italy
| | - K. Ray Chaudhuri
- Movement Disorders Unit, King’s College Hospital and Department of Clinical and Basic Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Panagis Drakatos
- School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Sleep Disorders Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rosalyn Moran
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ivana Rosenzweig
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Sleep Disorders Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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10
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De Luca R, Bonanno M, Morini E, Marra A, Arcadi FA, Quartarone A, Calabrò RS. Sexual Dysfunctions in Females with Parkinson's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study with a Psycho-Endocrinological Perspective. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59050845. [PMID: 37241076 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Normal human sexual functioning is a complex integration of an intact neuroanatomic substrate, vascular supply, a balanced hormonal profile, and a predominance of excitatory over inhibitory psychological mechanisms. However, sexual functioning in Parkinson's disease (PD) is often overlooked in clinical practice, especially in female patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we have investigated the frequency of sexual dysfunction and the possible correlation with psycho-endocrinological factors in a sample of women with idiopathic PD. Patients were assessed using a semi-structured sexual interview, in addition to psychometric tools, including the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and for Depression and the Coping Orientation to the Problems Experiences-New Italian Version. Specific blood tests, including testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen E2, prolactin (PRL), and vitamin D3 were also evaluated. Results: Our results reported a statistical difference in sexual intercourse frequency before and after the onset of PD (p < 0.001). The percentage of women who complained about reduced sexual desire increased after diagnosis (52.7%) compared to the period before the onset of the illness (36.8%). The endocrinological profile in females with PD revealed statistically significant differences regarding testosterone (p < 0.0006), estradiol (p < 0.00), vitamin D3 (p < 0.006), and calcium (0.002). Depression (44% characterized by perceived feelings of anger and frustration during sexual intercourse) and anxiety symptoms (29.5% reported feelings of fear and anxiety for not satisfying the partner) with abnormal coping strategies (48.14% experienced feelings of anger and intolerance) were also found to be statistically significant. This study showed a high frequency of sexual dysfunction in female patients with PD, which correlated with sexual hormone abnormalities, mood/anxiety, and coping strategies alterations. This supports the idea that there is a need to better investigate the sexual function of female patients with PD to provide them with an adequate therapeutic approach and potentially improve quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria De Luca
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Mirjam Bonanno
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Morini
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Marra
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Antonia Arcadi
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Angelo Quartarone
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
| | - Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Palermo, SS 113, C. da Casazza, 98123 Messina, Italy
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11
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Chen Z, Wu B, Li G, Zhou L, Zhang L, Liu J. Age and sex differentially shape brain networks in Parkinson's disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023. [PMID: 36890620 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Age and sex are important individual factors modifying the clinical symptoms of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Our goal is to evaluate the effects of age and sex on brain networks and clinical manifestations of PD patients. METHODS Parkinson's disease participants (n = 198) receiving functional magnetic resonance imaging from Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative database were investigated. Participants were classified into lower quartile group (age rank: 0%~25%), interquartile group (age rank: 26%~75%), and upper quartile group (age rank: 76%~100%) according to their age quartiles to examine how age shapes brain network topology. The differences of brain network topological properties between male and female participants were also investigated. RESULTS Parkinson's disease patients in the upper quartile age group exhibited disrupted network topology of white matter networks and impaired integrity of white matter fibers compared to lower quartile age group. In contrast, sex preferentially shaped the small-world topology of gray matter covariance network. Differential network metrics mediated the effects of age and sex on cognitive function of PD patients. CONCLUSION Age and sex have diverse effects on brain structural networks and cognitive function of PD patients, highlighting their roles in the clinical management of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichun Chen
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Neurology, Xuchang Central Hospital affiliated with Henan University of Science and Technology, Henan, China
| | - Guanglu Li
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liche Zhou
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lina Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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12
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Neal ML, Beier EE, Hossain MM, Boyle A, Zheng J, Kim C, Mhatre-Winters I, Wu LJ, Richardson JR. Voltage-Gated Proton Channel Hv1 Regulates Neuroinflammation and Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's Disease Models. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:582. [PMID: 36978830 PMCID: PMC10044828 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12030582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the precise mechanisms for neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) are unknown, evidence suggests that neuroinflammation is a critical factor in the pathogenic process. Here, we sought to determine whether the voltage-gated proton channel, Hv1 (HVCN1), which is expressed in microglia and regulates NADPH oxidase, is associated with dopaminergic neurodegeneration. We utilized data mining to evaluate the mRNA expression of HVCN1 in the brains of PD patients and controls and uncovered increased expression of the gene encoding Hv1, HVCN1, in the brains of PD patients compared to controls, specifically in male PD patients. In an acute 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP; 4 × 16 mg/kg) mouse model of PD, Hvcn1 gene expression was increased 2-fold in the striatum. MPTP administration to wild-type (WT) mice resulted in a ~65% loss of tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons (TH+) in the substantia nigra (SN), while a ~39% loss was observed in Hv1 knockout (KO) mice. Comparable neuroprotective effects of Hv1 deficiency were found in a repeated-dose LPS model. Neuroprotection was associated with decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and pro-oxidant factors in both neurotoxicant animal models. These in vivo results were confirmed in primary microglial cultures, with LPS treatment increasing Hvcn1 mRNA levels and Hv1 KO microglia failing to exhibit the LPS-mediated inflammatory response. Conditioned media from Hv1 KO microglia treated with LPS resulted in an attenuated loss of cultured dopamine neuron cell viability compared to WT microglia. Taken together, these data suggest that Hv1 is upregulated and mediates microglial pro-inflammatory cytokine production in parkinsonian models and therefore represents a novel target for neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L. Neal
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Eric E. Beier
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Muhammad M. Hossain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Alexa Boyle
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44201, USA
| | - Jiaying Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Chunki Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Isha Mhatre-Winters
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Long-Jun Wu
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Jason R. Richardson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44201, USA
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13
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Li H, Jia X, Chen M, Jia X, Yang Q. Sex Differences in Brain Structure in de novo Parkinson's Disease: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Neuroimaging Study. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2023; 13:785-795. [PMID: 37248914 PMCID: PMC10473079 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-225125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) varies in occurrence, presentation, and severity between males and females. However, the sex effects on the patterns of brain structure, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, are still unclear. OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare sex differences in brain features cross-sectionally and longitudinally using grey matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness in a large sample of newly diagnosed drug-naive PD patients. METHODS Cognitive assessments and structural MR images of 262 PD patients (171 males) and 113 healthy controls (68 males) were selected from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative. Of these, 97 PD patients (66 males) completed 12- and 24-month follow-up examinations. After regressing out the expected effects of age and sex, brain maps of GMV and cortical thickness were compared using two-sample t tests cross-sectionally and were compared using repeated measurement analyses of variance longitudinally. RESULTS At baseline, male PD patients exhibited a greater extent of brain atrophy and cortical thickness reduction than females, which mainly occurred in the cerebellum, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, and temporal lobe. At follow-up, female and male PD patients showed similar dynamics of disease progression, as both groups declined over time while the females maintained the advantage. The cortical thickness of the right precentral gyrus at baseline was negatively associated with the longitudinal changes of motor function in male PD patients. CONCLUSION The current findings might demonstrate sex effect in neuroanatomy during the course of PD, provide new insights into the neurodegenerative process, and facilitate the development of more effective sex-specific therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejia Jia
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuqin Jia
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Lab of Medical Engineering for Cardiovascular Disease, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Key Lab of Medical Engineering for Cardiovascular Disease, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
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14
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Voskuhl R, Itoh Y. The X factor in neurodegeneration. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20211488. [PMID: 36331399 PMCID: PMC9641640 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20211488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the aging population, it is important to better understand neurodegeneration in aging healthy people and to address the increasing incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. It is imperative to apply novel strategies to identify neuroprotective therapeutics. The study of sex differences in neurodegeneration can reveal new candidate treatment targets tailored for women and men. Sex chromosome effects on neurodegeneration remain understudied and represent a promising frontier for discovery. Here, we will review sex differences in neurodegeneration, focusing on the study of sex chromosome effects in the context of declining levels of sex hormones during aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda Voskuhl
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Yuichiro Itoh
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
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15
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Gan J, Chen Z, Shi Z, Li X, Liu S, Liu Y, Zhu H, Shen L, Zhang G, You Y, Guo Q, Zhang N, Lv Y, Gang B, Yuan J, Ji Y. Sex differences in clinical cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies: a Chinese multicenter study. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:55. [PMID: 36183142 PMCID: PMC9526942 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00464-w] [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] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Research on sex ratios of Lewy body dementia is controversial, established in small samples, and rarely focused on prodromal stage. The objective is to investigate the clinical sex ratios (men/women) and their associations with clinical features among individuals with mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies (MCI-LB), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), and Parkinson’s disease with dementia (PDD) in China. Methods We conducted a multicenter cohort study, including 1038 individuals with probable MCI-LB, DLB, PD-MCI, or PDD diagnosis from 22 memory clinics in China from January 2018 to March 2022, and recorded their demographic and clinical data by reviewing medical records. Descriptive and regression analyses were used to calculate the sex ratio (men/women), and its associations with demographic and clinical data. Results In this study, men comprised 35.14% (men/women sex ratio = 0.54) for MCI-LB, 46.72% (men/women sex ratio = 0.88) for DLB, 63.56% (men/women sex ratio = 1.74) for PD-MCI, and 52.40% (men/women sex ratio = 1.10) for PDD. Sex ratios roughly increased with age. Men had more parkinsonism (p = 0.000) and less fluctuating cognition (p = 0.024) in MCI-LB, and those with PD-MCI had more RBD (p = 0.001). Women with PD-MCI had lower MMSE scores (β ± standard error = − 1.24 ± 0.58, p = 0.04), more irritability (0.95 ± 0.46, p = 0.04) and fluctuating cognition (− 3.41 ± 1.31, p = 0.01), and less parkinsonism (− 2.10 ± 0.97, p = 0.03) than men after adjusting for demographic and cardiometabolic conditions. Conclusion There were more women in DLB and MCI-LB, and more men in PD-MCI and PDD. The sex distribution, demographic, and clinical characteristics differed, which strengthened the independence and heterogeneity of the four diseases, and indicated sex-sensitive strategies for management of dementia necessary. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13293-022-00464-w. There are significant sex differences in Chinese population with cognitive impairment in Lewy body disease. Women were more common in dementia with Lewy bodies and mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies cases, had more frequent and severe neuropsychiatric symptoms, and poorer cognition than men. Men predominant in Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment and Parkinson’s disease with dementia cases, and performed more frequent RBD and parkinsonism than women. Dementia with Lewy bodies vs. Parkinson’s disease with dementia, and mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies vs. Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment are distinct disease forms and should not be confused.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghuan Gan
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 119 Nansihuan Xilu, Fengtai, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Zhichao Chen
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihong Shi
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute, 6 Jizhao Road, Jinnan, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Xudong Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 119 Nansihuan Xilu, Fengtai, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute, 6 Jizhao Road, Jinnan, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Yiming Liu
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | - Hongcan Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Guili Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 119 Nansihuan Xilu, Fengtai, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Yong You
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Qihao Guo
- Department of Gerontology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Lv
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Baozhi Gang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Junliang Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Ji
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, No. 119 Nansihuan Xilu, Fengtai, Beijing, 100070, China. .,Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute, 6 Jizhao Road, Jinnan, Tianjin, 300350, China.
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Zhang W, Deng B, Xie F, Zhou H, Guo JF, Jiang H, Sim A, Tang B, Wang Q. Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 52:101589. [PMID: 35923424 PMCID: PMC9340539 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation that positively regulates the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although, most reviews and meta-analysis have shown that rTMS intervention is effective in treating motor symptoms and depression, very few have used randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to analyse the efficacy of this intervention in PD. We aimed to review RCTs of rTMS in patients with PD to assess the efficacy of rTMS on motor and non-motor function in patients with PD. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, MEDLINE and Web of Science databases for RCTs on rTMS in PD published between January 1, 1988 to January 1, 2022. Eligible studies included sham-controlled RCTs that used rTMS stimulation for motor or non-motor symptoms in PD. RCTs not focusing on the efficacy of rTMS in PD were excluded. Summary data were extracting from those RCTs by two investigators independently. We then calculated standardised mean difference with random-effect models. The main outcome included motor and non-motor examination of scales that were used in PD motor or non-motor assessment. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022329633. FINDINGS Fourteen studies with 469 patients met the criteria for our meta-analysis. Twelve eligible studies with 381 patients were pooled to analyse the efficacy of rTMS on motor function improvement. The effect size on motor scale scores was 0.51 (P < 0.0001) and were not distinctly heterogeneous (I2 = 29%). Five eligible studies with 202 patients were collected to evaluate antidepressant-like effects. The effect size on depression scale scores was 0.42 (P = 0.004), and were not distinctly heterogeneous (I2 = 25%), indicating a significant anti-depressive effect (P = 0.004). The results suggest that high-frequency of rTMS on primary motor cortex (M1) is effective in improving motor symptoms; while the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) may be a potentially effective area in alleviating depressive symptom. INTERPRETATION The findings suggest that rTMS could be used as a possible adjuvant therapy for PD mainly to improve motor symptoms, but could have potential efficacy on depressive symptoms of PD. However, further investigation is needed. FUNDING The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO: 81873777, 82071414), Initiated Foundation of Zhujiang Hospital (NO: 02020318005), Scientific Research Foundation of Guangzhou (NO: 202206010005), and Science and Technology Program of Guangdong of China (NO: 2020A0505100037).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, PR China
| | - Bin Deng
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, PR China
| | - Fen Xie
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, PR China
| | - Hang Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, PR China
| | - Ji-Feng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China
| | - Amy Sim
- Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centre El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, PR China
- Corresponding author at: Department of Neurology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Gongye Road 253, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510282, PR China.
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Sex Differences in Parkinson’s Disease: From Bench to Bedside. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12070917. [PMID: 35884724 PMCID: PMC9313069 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12070917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease and gender differences have been described on several aspects of PD. In the present commentary, we aimed to collect and discuss the currently available evidence on gender differences in PD regarding biomarkers, genetic factors, motor and non-motor symptoms, therapeutic management (including pharmacological and surgical treatment) as well as preclinical studies. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed by searching the Pubmed and Scopus databases with the search strings “biomarkers”, “deep brain stimulation”, “female”, “gender”, “genetic”, “levodopa”, “men”, “male”, “motor symptoms”, “non-motor symptoms”, “Parkinson disease”, “sex”, “surgery”, and “women”. Results: The present review confirms the existence of differences between men and women in Parkinson Disease, pointing out new information regarding evidence from animal models, genetic factors, biomarkers, clinical features and pharmacological and surgical treatment. Conclusions: The overall goal is to acquire new informations about sex and gender differences in Parkinson Disease, in order to develop tailored intervetions.
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