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Zivadinov R, Schweser F, Jakimovski D, Bergsland N, Dwyer MG. Decoding Gray Matter Involvement in Multiple Sclerosis via Imaging. Neuroimaging Clin N Am 2024; 34:453-468. [PMID: 38942527 DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2024.03.007] [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] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasingly understood not only as a white matter disease but also involving both the deep and cortical gray matter (GM). GM pathology in people with MS (pwMS) includes the presence of lesions, leptomeningeal inflammation, atrophy, altered iron concentration, and microstructural changes. Studies using 7T and 3T MR imaging with optimized protocols established that GM damage is a principal driver of disease progression in pwMS. Future work is needed to incorporate the assessment of these GM imaging biomarkers into the clinical workup of pwMS and the assessment of treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Zivadinov
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA; Center for Biomedical Imaging at Clinical Translational Science Institute, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Ferdinand Schweser
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA; Center for Biomedical Imaging at Clinical Translational Science Institute, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Dejan Jakimovski
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Niels Bergsland
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michael G Dwyer
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA; Center for Biomedical Imaging at Clinical Translational Science Institute, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Jakimovski D, Qureshi F, Ramanathan M, Keshavan A, Leyden K, Jalaleddini K, Ghoreyshi A, Dwyer MG, Bergsland N, Marr K, Weinstock-Guttman B, Zivadinov R. Lower arterial cerebral blood flow is associated with worse neuroinflammation and immunomodulation composite proteomic scores. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 87:105687. [PMID: 38776599 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105687] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain hypoperfusion is linked with worse physical, cognitive and MRI outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS). Understanding the proteomic signatures related to hypoperfusion could provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanism. METHODS 140 people with MS (pwMS; 86 clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)/relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and 54 progressive (PMS)) were included. Cerebral arterial blood flow (CABF) was determined using ultrasound Doppler measurement as the sum of blood flow in the bilateral common carotid arteries and vertebral arteries. Proteomic analysis was performed using the Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA) test assay panel performed on the Olink™ platform. The MSDA test measures the concentrations of 18 proteins that are age and sex-adjusted. It utilizes a stacked classifier logistic regression model to determine 4 disease pathway scores (immunomodulation, neuroinflammation, myelin biology, and neuroaxonal integrity) as well as an overall disease activity score (1 to 10). MRI measures of T2 lesion volume (LV) and whole brain volume (WBV) were derived. RESULTS The pwMS were on average 54 years old and had an average CABF of 951 mL/min. There were no differences in CABF between CIS/RRMS vs. PMS groups. Lower CABF levels were correlated with the overall disease activity score (r = -0.26, p = 0.003) and with the neuroinflammation (r = -0.29, p = 0.001), immunomodulation (r = -0.26, p = 0.003) and neuroaxonal integrity (r = -0.23, p = 0.007) pathway scores. After age and body mass index (BMI)-adjustment, lower CABF remained associated with the neuroinflammatory (r = -0.23, p = 0.011) and immunomodulation (r = -0.20, p = 0.024) pathway scores. The relationship between CABF and the neuroinflammation pathway score remained significant after adjusting for T2-LV and WBV (p = 0.038). Individual analyses identified neurofilament light chain, CCL-20 and TNFSF13B as contributors. When compared to the highest quartile (>1133.5 mL/min), the pwMS in the lowest CABF quartile (<764 mL/min) had greater overall disease activity score (p = 0.003), neuroinflammation (p = 0.001), immunomodulation (p = 0.004) and neuroaxonal integrity pathway scores (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION Lower cerebral arterial perfusion in MS is associated with changes in neuroinflammatory/immunomodulation pathways and their respective proteomic biomarkers. These findings may suggest a relationship between the hypoperfusion and pro-inflammatory MS changes rather than being merely an epiphenomenon subsequent to lower energy demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Jakimovski
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | | | - Murali Ramanathan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael G Dwyer
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Niels Bergsland
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Karen Marr
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Robert Zivadinov
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA; Center for Biomedical Imaging at the Clinical Translational Science Institute, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Pansieri J, Hadley G, Lockhart A, Pisa M, DeLuca GC. Regional contribution of vascular dysfunction in white matter dementia: clinical and neuropathological insights. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1199491. [PMID: 37396778 PMCID: PMC10313211 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1199491] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of adequate blood supply and vascular integrity is fundamental to ensure cerebral function. A wide range of studies report vascular dysfunction in white matter dementias, a group of cerebral disorders characterized by substantial white matter damage in the brain leading to cognitive impairment. Despite recent advances in imaging, the contribution of vascular-specific regional alterations in white matter dementia has been not extensively reviewed. First, we present an overview of the main components of the vascular system involved in the maintenance of brain function, modulation of cerebral blood flow and integrity of the blood-brain barrier in the healthy brain and during aging. Second, we review the regional contribution of cerebral blood flow and blood-brain barrier disturbances in the pathogenesis of three distinct conditions: the archetypal white matter predominant neurocognitive dementia that is vascular dementia, a neuroinflammatory predominant disease (multiple sclerosis) and a neurodegenerative predominant disease (Alzheimer's). Finally, we then examine the shared landscape of vascular dysfunction in white matter dementia. By emphasizing the involvement of vascular dysfunction in the white matter, we put forward a hypothetical map of vascular dysfunction during disease-specific progression to guide future research aimed to improve diagnostics and facilitate the development of tailored therapies.
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Amatruda M, Harris K, Matis A, Davies AL, McElroy D, Clark M, Linington C, Desai R, Smith KJ. Oxygen treatment reduces neurological deficits and demyelination in two animal models of multiple sclerosis. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2023; 49:e12868. [PMID: 36520661 PMCID: PMC10107096 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12868] [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: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The objective of the study is to explore the importance of tissue hypoxia in causing neurological deficits and demyelination in the inflamed CNS, and the value of inspiratory oxygen treatment, using both active and passive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). METHODS Normobaric oxygen treatment was administered to Dark Agouti rats with either active or passive EAE, compared with room air-treated, and naïve, controls. RESULTS Severe neurological deficits in active EAE were significantly improved after just 1 h of breathing approximately 95% oxygen. The improvement was greater and more persistent when oxygen was applied either prophylactically (from immunisation for 23 days), or therapeutically from the onset of neurological deficits for 24, 48, or 72 h. Therapeutic oxygen for 72 h significantly reduced demyelination and the integrated stress response in oligodendrocytes at the peak of disease, and protected from oligodendrocyte loss, without evidence of increased oxidative damage. T-cell infiltration and cytokine expression in the spinal cord remained similar to that in untreated animals. The severe neurological deficit of animals with passive EAE occurred in conjunction with spinal hypoxia and was significantly reduced by oxygen treatment initiated before their onset. CONCLUSIONS Severe neurological deficits in both active and passive EAE can be caused by hypoxia and reduced by oxygen treatment. Oxygen treatment also reduces demyelination in active EAE, despite the autoimmune origin of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Amatruda
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kate Harris
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Alina Matis
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Andrew L Davies
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Daniel McElroy
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michael Clark
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Christopher Linington
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | - Roshni Desai
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Kenneth J Smith
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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Kemp MC, Johannes C, van Rensburg SJ, Kidd M, Isaacs F, Kotze MJ, Engel-Hills P. Disability in multiple sclerosis is associated with vascular factors: An ultrasound study. J Med Imaging Radiat Sci 2022; 54:247-256. [PMID: 36528497 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2022.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-related disorder, pharmaceutical interventions targeting the immune system do not stop or reverse disability progression; the major challenge for this condition. Studies show that disability progression in MS is associated with vascular comorbidity and brain volume loss, indicating that a multi-targeted approach is required to prevent debilitation. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between vascular ultrasound, disability, biochemistry and lifestyle data in people with MS (pwMS). METHODS Extracranial vascular ultrasound was performed on 51 pwMS and 25 age-matched controls. Sonographic interrogation determined carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and abnormal blood flow patterns. Disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Biochemical and lifestyle data were obtained for all participants. RESULTS The EDSS had a highly significant positive association with the cIMT of the right (r = 0.63; p = 0.001) and left (r = 0.49; p = 0.001) common carotid arteries and negative associations with the peak systolic blood flow velocity of the right vertebral artery (r = -0.42; p = 0.01) as well as end-diastolic velocity of the left internal carotid artery (r = -0.47; p = 0.01). These associations were significantly influenced by biochemical and lifestyle factors. Both cIMT and age showed significant associations with the EDSS. When cIMT was adjusted for age in a regression analysis, the association between the EDSS and the cIMT remained significant (p < 0.01), while the age association was reduced to being significant only at 10% (p = 0.06). There was no association between the use of MS medication and the EDSS (p = 0.56). CONCLUSION PwMS who had increased cIMT, a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis, and reduced carotid artery blood flow velocities were at risk for greater disability over and above the effect of aging. These findings provide important information for disease management and disability prevention in pwMS. Modification of diet and lifestyle may promote the unhindered flow of essential nutritional factors into the brain in pwMS.
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Feasibility of flow-related enhancement brain perfusion MRI. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276912. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose
Brain perfusion imaging is of enormous importance for various neurological diseases. Fast gradient-echo sequences offering flow-related enhancement (FREE) could present a basis to generate perfusion-weighted maps. In this study, we obtained perfusion-weighted maps without contrast media by a previously described postprocessing algorithm from the field of functional lung MRI. At first, the perfusion signal was analyzed in fast low-angle shot (FLASH) and balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequences. Secondly, perfusion maps were compared to pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI in a healthy cohort. Thirdly, the feasibility of the new technique was demonstrated in a small selected group of patients with metastases and acute stroke.
Methods
One participant was examined with bSSFP and FLASH sequences at 1.5T and 3T, different flip angles and slice thicknesses. Twenty-five volunteers had bSSFP imaging and pCASL MRI. Three patients with cerebral metastases and one with acute ischemic stroke had bSSFP imaging and were compared to T1 post-contrast images and CT perfusion. Frequency analyses, SNR and perfusion contrast were compared at different flip angles and slice thicknesses. Regional correlations and Sorensen-Dice overlap were calculated in the healthy cohort. Dice overlap of the pathologies in the patient cohort were calculated.
Results
The bSSFP sequence presented detectable perfusion signal within brain vessel and parenchyma together with superior SNR compared to FLASH. Perfusion contrast and its corticomedullary differentiation increased with flip angle. Mean regional correlation was 0.36 and highly significant between FREE maps and pCASL and grey and white matter Dice match were 72% and 60% in the healthy cohort. Pathologies presented good overlap between FREE perfusion-weighted and T1 post-contrast images.
Conclusion
The feasibility of FREE brain perfusion imaging has been shown in a healthy cohort and selected patient cases with brain metastases and acute stroke. The study demonstrates a new approach for non-contrast brain perfusion imaging.
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Jakimovski D, Bergsland N, Dwyer MG, Choedun K, Marr K, Weinstock-Guttman B, Zivadinov R. Cerebral blood flow dependency on systemic arterial circulation in progressive multiple sclerosis. Eur Radiol 2022; 32:6468-6479. [PMID: 35359167 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-08731-5] [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: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the relationship between systemic arterial blood flow (SABF) and cerebral perfusion measures in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. METHODS Cerebral perfusion and SABF were assessed in 118 patients (75 clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)/relapsing-remitting MS and 43 progressive MS) through MRI examination with dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) and Doppler ultrasound, respectively. Measures of mean transit time (MTT) and time-to-peak (TTP), measured in seconds, of the normal-appearing whole brain (NAWB) and gray matter (GM) were calculated. Blood flow through the bilateral common carotid and vertebral arteries (in mL/min) represents the SABF. Whole brain volume (WBV) and body mass index (BMI) were used as additional covariates. RESULTS Higher systolic blood pressure was associated with lower SABF (-0.256, p = 0.006). In the total MS sample, higher SABF was associated with shorter MTT and TTP of the NAWB (r = -0.256, p = 0.007 and r = -0.307, p = 0.001) and GM (r = -0.239, p = 0.012 and r = -0.3, p = 0.001). The SABF and TTP associations were driven by the PMS patients (r = -0.451, p = 0.004 and r = -0.451, p = 0.011). Only in PMS, SABF remained a significant predictor of NAWB (standardized β = -0.394, p = 0.022) and GM TTP (standardized β = -0.351, p = 0.037). MTT and TTP were significantly lower in patients within lower SABF quartiles when compared to the higher quartiles (age-, sex-, BMI-, and WBV-adjusted ANCOVA p < 0.025). CONCLUSIONS The direct relationship between systemic and cerebral blood flow seen in PMS patients may suggest failure in cerebrovascular reactivity mechanisms and insufficient perfusion control. Cerebral blood flow in PMS may be increasingly dependent on the SABF. KEY POINTS • In progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, the systemic arterial blood flow (SABF) is associated with perfusion-based measure of time-to-peak (TTP) of the normal-appearing whole brain (r = -0.451, p = 0.004) and gray matter (r = -0.451, p = 0.004). • Cerebral blood flow in progressive MS is directly dependent on systemic arterial blood flow and may be influenced by blood pressure changes. • Neurovascular unit impairment may play an important role in MS pathophysiology and contribute towards greater clinical disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Jakimovski
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 100 High Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
| | - Niels Bergsland
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 100 High Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
- IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy
| | - Michael G Dwyer
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 100 High Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Kunsang Choedun
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 100 High Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Karen Marr
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 100 High Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Robert Zivadinov
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 100 High Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
- Center for Biomedical Imaging at Clinical Translational Science Institute, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Integrated Approaches to Identify miRNA Biomarkers Associated with Cognitive Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis Using Text Mining, Gene Expression, Pathways, and GWAS. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12081914. [PMID: 36010264 PMCID: PMC9406323 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12081914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disorder, affects the central nervous system of many young adults. More than half of MS patients develop cognition problems. Although several genomic and transcriptomic studies are currently reported in MS cognitive impairment, a comprehensive repository dealing with all the experimental data is still underdeveloped. In this study, we combined text mining, gene regulation, pathway analysis, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify miRNA biomarkers to explore the cognitive dysfunction in MS, and to understand the genomic etiology of the disease. We first identified the dysregulated miRNAs associated with MS and cognitive dysfunction using PubTator (text mining), HMDD (experimental associations), miR2Disease, and PhenomiR database (differentially expressed miRNAs). Our results suggest that miRNAs such as hsa-mir-148b-3p, hsa-mir-7b-5p, and hsa-mir-7a-5p are commonly associated with MS and cognitive dysfunction. Next, we retrieved GWAS signals from GWAS Catalog, and analyzed the enrichment analysis of association signals in genes/miRNAs and their association networks. Then, we identified susceptible genetic loci, rs17119 (chromosome 6; p = 1 × 10−10), rs1843938 (chromosome 7; p = 1 × 10−10), and rs11637611 (chromosome 15; p = 1.00 × 10−15), associated with significant genetic risk. Lastly, we conducted a pathway analysis for the susceptible genetic variants and identified novel risk pathways. The ECM receptor signaling pathway (p = 3.98 × 10−8) and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway (p = 5.98 × 10−5) were found to be associated with differentially expressed miRNA biomarkers.
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Jakimovski D, Gibney BL, Marr K, Ramasamy DP, Dwyer MG, Bergsland N, Weinstock-Guttman B, Ramanathan M, Zivadinov R. Lower cerebral arterial blood flow is associated with greater serum neurofilament light chain levels in multiple sclerosis patients. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:2299-2308. [PMID: 35474598 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15374] [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: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoperfusion, vascular pathology, and cardiovascular risk factors are associated with disease severity in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to assess relationships between cerebral arterial blood flow (CABF) and serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL), as neuronal damage biomarker. METHODS AND MATERIALS Total CABF was measured in 137 patients (86 clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)/relapsing-remitting (RR) and 51 progressive MS (PMS)) and 48 healthy controls (HCs) using Doppler ultrasound. sNfL was quantitated using single molecule assay (Simoa). 3.0T MRI examination allowed quantification of T2 lesion and whole-brain volume (WBV). Multiple linear regression models determined the sNfL associated with CABF after correction for demographic and MRI-derived variables. RESULTS After adjustment for age, sex and BMI, total CABF remained statistically significant and model comparisons showed that CABF explained additional 2.6% of the sNfL variance (β=-0.167, p=0.044). CABF also remained significant in a step-wise regression model (β=0.18, p=0.034) upon the inclusion of T2 lesion burden and WBV effects. Patients in the lowest CABF quartile (CABF≤761mL/min) had significantly higher sNfL (34.6pg/mL versus 23.9pg/mL, adjusted-p=0.042) when compared to the highest quartile (CABF≥1130mL/min). CONCLUSION Lower CABF is associated with increased sNfL in MS patients, highlighting the relationship between cerebral hypoperfusion and axonal pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Jakimovski
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Brianna L Gibney
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Karen Marr
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Deepa P Ramasamy
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michael G Dwyer
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Niels Bergsland
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.,IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy
| | - Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Murali Ramanathan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Robert Zivadinov
- Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Center for Biomedical Imaging at Clinical Translational Science Institute, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Myelin imaging measures as predictors of cognitive impairment in MS patients: A hybrid PET-MRI study. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 57:103331. [PMID: 35158445 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is one of the concerns of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and has been related to myelin loss. Different neuroimaging methods have been used to quantify myelin and relate it to cognitive dysfunctions, among them Magnetization Transfer Ratio (MTR), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), and, more recently, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with 11C-PIB. OBJECTIVE To investigate different myelin imaging modalities as predictors of cognitive dysfunction. METHODS Fifty-one MS patients and 24 healthy controls underwent clinical and neuropsychological assessment and MTR, DTI (Axial Diffusion-AD and Fractional Anisotropy-FA maps), and 11C-PIB PET images in a PET/MR hybrid system. RESULTS MTR and DTI(FA) differed in patients with or without cognitive impairment. There was an association of DTI(FA) and DTI(AD) with cognition and psychomotor speed for progressive MS, and of 11C-PIB uptake and MTR for relapsing-remitting MS. MTR in the Thalamus (β= -0.51, p = 0.021) and Corpus Callosum (β= -0.24, p = 0.033) were predictive of cognitive impairment. DTI-FA in the Caudate (β= -26.93, p = 0.006) presented abnormal predictive result. CONCLUSION Lower myelin content by 11C-PIB uptake was associated with worse cognitive status. MTR was predictive of cognitive impairment in MS.
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Ge Y, Zivadinov R, Wang M, Charidimou A, Haacke EM. Editorial: Update on Vascular Contributions to Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cognitive Impairment - Research of ISNVD 2020 Meeting. Front Neurol 2021; 12:797486. [PMID: 34858320 PMCID: PMC8632484 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.797486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Ge
- Department of Radiology, New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Robert Zivadinov
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Meiyun Wang
- Department of Radiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Andreas Charidimou
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - E Mark Haacke
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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Pirastru A, Pelizzari L, Bergsland N, Cazzoli M, Cecconi P, Baglio F, Laganà MM. Consistent Cerebral Blood Flow Covariance Networks across Healthy Individuals and Their Similarity with Resting State Networks and Vascular Territories. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10110963. [PMID: 33213074 PMCID: PMC7698477 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10110963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral blood flow (CBF) represents the local blood supply to the brain, and it can be considered a proxy for neuronal activation. Independent component analysis (ICA) can be applied to CBF maps to derive patterns of spatial covariance across subjects. In the present study, we aimed to assess the consistency of the independent components derived from CBF maps (CBF-ICs) across a cohort of 92 healthy individuals. Moreover, we evaluated the spatial similarity of CBF-ICs with respect to resting state networks (RSNs) and vascular territories (VTs). The data were acquired on a 1.5 T scanner using arterial spin labeling (ASL) and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Similarity was assessed considering the entire ASL dataset. Consistency was evaluated by splitting the dataset into subsamples according to three different criteria: (1) random split of age and sex-matched subjects, (2) elderly vs. young, and (3) males vs. females. After standard preprocessing, ICA was performed. Both consistency and similarity were assessed by visually comparing the CBF-ICs. Then, the degree of spatial overlap was quantified with Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC). Frontal, left, and right occipital, cerebellar, and thalamic CBF-ICs were consistently identified among the subsamples, independently of age and sex, with fair to moderate overlap (0.2 < DSC ≤ 0.6). These regions are functional hubs, and their involvement in many neurodegenerative pathologies has been observed. As slight to moderate overlap (0.2< DSC < 0.5) was observed between CBF-ICs and some RSNs and VTs, CBF-ICs may mirror a combination of both functional and vascular brain properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Pirastru
- IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy; (A.P.); (L.P.); (N.B.); (M.C.); (P.C.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Laura Pelizzari
- IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy; (A.P.); (L.P.); (N.B.); (M.C.); (P.C.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Niels Bergsland
- IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy; (A.P.); (L.P.); (N.B.); (M.C.); (P.C.); (M.M.L.)
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Marta Cazzoli
- IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy; (A.P.); (L.P.); (N.B.); (M.C.); (P.C.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Pietro Cecconi
- IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy; (A.P.); (L.P.); (N.B.); (M.C.); (P.C.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Francesca Baglio
- IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy; (A.P.); (L.P.); (N.B.); (M.C.); (P.C.); (M.M.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0240308844
| | - Maria Marcella Laganà
- IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148 Milan, Italy; (A.P.); (L.P.); (N.B.); (M.C.); (P.C.); (M.M.L.)
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Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Levels are Associated with Lower Thalamic Perfusion in Multiple Sclerosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10090685. [PMID: 32932824 PMCID: PMC7554722 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10090685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Both perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) measures and serum neurofilament light (sNfL) chain levels have been independently associated with disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This study aimed to determine whether these measures are correlated to each other or independently describe different MS processes. For this purpose, 3T MRI dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC)–PWI and single-molecule assay (Simoa)-based sNfL methods were utilized when investigating 86 MS patients. The perfusion measures of mean transit time (MTT), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were derived for the normal-appearing whole brain (NAWB), the normal-appearing white matter (NAWM), the gray matter (GM), the deep GM (DGM), and the thalamus. The normalized CBV and CBF (nCBV and nCBV) were calculated by dividing by the corresponding NAWM measure. Age- and sex-adjusted linear regression models were used to determine associations between the DSC–PWI and sNfL results. False discovery rate (FDR)-adjusted p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A greater age and thalamic MTT were independently associated with higher sNfL levels (p < 0.001 and p = 0.011) and explained 36.9% of sNfL level variance. NAWM MTT association with sNfL levels did not survive the FDR correction. In similar models, a lower thalamic nCBF and nCBV were both associated with greater sNfL levels (p < 0.001 and p = 0.022), explaining 37.8% and 44.7% of the variance, respectively. In conclusion, higher sNfL levels were associated with lower thalamic perfusion.
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