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Mueller C, Nenert R, Catiul C, Pilkington J, Szaflarski JP, Amara AW. Relationship between sleep, physical fitness, brain microstructure, and cognition in healthy older adults: A pilot study. Brain Res 2024; 1839:149016. [PMID: 38768934 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149016] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a critical need for neuroimaging markers of brain integrity to monitor effects of modifiable lifestyle factors on brain health. This observational, cross-sectional study assessed relationships between brain microstructure and sleep, physical fitness, and cognition in healthy older adults. METHODS Twenty-three adults aged 60 and older underwent whole-brain multi-shell diffusion imaging, comprehensive cognitive testing, polysomnography, and exercise testing. Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) was used to quantify neurite density (NDI) and orientation dispersion (ODI). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to quantify axial diffusivity (AxD), fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD). Relationships between sleep efficiency (SE), time and percent in N3 sleep, cognitive function, physical fitness (VO2 peak) and the diffusion metrics in regions of interest and the whole brain were evaluated. RESULTS Higher NDI in bilateral white and gray matter was associated with better executive functioning. NDI in the right anterior cingulate and adjacent white matter was positively associated with language skills. Higher NDI in the left posterior corona radiata was associated with faster processing speed. Physical fitness was positively associated with NDI in the left precentral gyrus and corticospinal tract. N3 % was positively associated with NDI in the left caudate and right pre- and postcentral gyri. Higher ODI in the left putamen and adjacent white matter was associated with better executive function. CONCLUSION NDI and ODI derived from NODDI are potential neuroimaging markers for associations between brain microstructure and modifiable risk factors in aging. If these associations are observable in clinical samples, NODDI could be incorporated into clinical trials assessing the effects of modifiable risk factors on brain integrity in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Mueller
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurology, 1719 6(th) Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States.
| | - Rodolphe Nenert
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurology, 1719 6(th) Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States
| | - Corina Catiul
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurology, 1719 6(th) Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States
| | - Jennifer Pilkington
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurology, 1719 6(th) Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States
| | - Jerzy P Szaflarski
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurology, 1719 6(th) Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States
| | - Amy W Amara
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Neurology, 1719 6(th) Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States; University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 1635 Aurora Ct, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
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Xu R, Wang X, Zhu S, Jiang B, Wan J, Ma J, Yu Y, Yu L, Fang Q, Hu C, Zhu M. Assessment of Cerebral White Matter Involvement in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients With Disease Progression and Cognitive Impairment by Fixel-Based Analysis and Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 60:900-908. [PMID: 38059522 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29171] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies using emerging diffusion MRI techniques have revealed damage to the white matter (WM) microstructure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), particularly the influence of crossed fibers, but there is a lack of subgroup analyses. PURPOSE To detect WM microstructural changes in ALS patients using fixel-based analysis (FBA) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) MRI. STUDY TYPE Prospective. POPULATION Thirty-six ALS patients (aged 60.50 ± 9.5 years) and 25 healthy controls (HCs) (aged 58.90 ± 8.1 years). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3 T; NODDI and FBA (b-values = 0, 1000, and 2500 seconds/mm2). ASSESSMENT Subgroups were performed according to progression rate and cognition, including fast and slow progression (FP/SP), ALS with and without cognitive impairment (ALS-ci/ALS-nci). Fiber density (FD), fiber-bundle cross-section (FC), combined fiber density and cross-section (FDC), neurite density index (NDI), orientation dispersion index (ODI), isotropic volume fraction (ISO), and fractional anisotropy (FA) were calculated and their correlation with clinical variables examined. STATISTICAL TESTING Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, two-sample t test, partial correlation analysis, and false discovery rate (FDR) corrected. A P-value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS ALS patients had lower FD and FDC values predominantly in the corticospinal tract (CST) and corpus callosum (CC) regions, as well as lower NDI value in the CC, radial crown, and internal capsule compared to HCs. Subgroup analysis based on progression rate and cognitive function showed significant differences in FBA results. The FC in the right CST region was significantly lower in the FP than SP, and the FD in the CC region was significantly lower in the ALS-ci than ALS-nci. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between the mean FC value and the rate of progression in ALS patients (r = -0.408). DATA CONCLUSION FBA is a powerful tool for detecting complex cerebral WM microstructural damage for evaluating ALS cognition and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ximing Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Sijia Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiayi Wan
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiali Ma
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yixing Yu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Liqiang Yu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qi Fang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mo Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Nair AK, Adluru N, Finley AJ, Gresham LK, Skinner SE, Alexander AL, Davidson RJ, Ryff CD, Schaefer SM. Purpose in life as a resilience factor for brain health: diffusion MRI findings from the Midlife in the U.S. study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1355998. [PMID: 38505799 PMCID: PMC10948414 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1355998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction A greater sense of purpose in life is associated with several health benefits relevant for active aging, but the mechanisms remain unclear. We evaluated if purpose in life was associated with indices of brain health. Methods We examined data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Neuroscience Project. Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging data (n=138; mean age 65.2 years, age range 48-95; 80 females; 37 black, indigenous, and people of color) were used to estimate microstructural indices of brain health such as axonal density, and axonal orientation. The seven-item purpose in life scale was used. Permutation analysis of linear models was used to examine associations between purpose in life scores and the diffusion metrics in white matter and in the bilateral hippocampus, adjusting for age, sex, education, and race. Results and discussion Greater sense of purpose in life was associated with brain microstructural features consistent with better brain health. Positive associations were found in both white matter and the right hippocampus, where multiple convergent associations were detected. The hippocampus is a brain structure involved in learning and memory that is vulnerable to stress but retains the capacity to grow and adapt through old age. Our findings suggest pathways through which an enhanced sense of purpose in life may contribute to better brain health and promote healthy aging. Since purpose in life is known to decline with age, interventions and policy changes that facilitate a greater sense of purpose may extend and improve the brain health of individuals and thus improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar Nair
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nagesh Adluru
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Anna J. Finley
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Lauren K. Gresham
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Sarah E. Skinner
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Andrew L. Alexander
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Richard J. Davidson
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Carol D. Ryff
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Stacey M. Schaefer
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Burzynska AZ, Anderson C, Arciniegas DB, Calhoun V, Choi IY, Mendez Colmenares A, Kramer AF, Li K, Lee J, Lee P, Thomas ML. Correlates of axonal content in healthy adult span: Age, sex, myelin, and metabolic health. CEREBRAL CIRCULATION - COGNITION AND BEHAVIOR 2024; 6:100203. [PMID: 38292016 PMCID: PMC10827486 DOI: 10.1016/j.cccb.2024.100203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
As the emerging treatments that target grey matter pathology in Alzheimer's Disease have limited effectiveness, there is a critical need to identify new neural targets for treatments. White matter's (WM) metabolic vulnerability makes it a promising candidate for new interventions. This study examined the age and sex differences in estimates of axonal content, as well the associations of with highly prevalent modifiable health risk factors such as metabolic syndrome and adiposity. We estimated intra-axonal volume fraction (ICVF) using the Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) in a sample of 89 cognitively and neurologically healthy adults (20-79 years). We showed that ICVF correlated positively with age and estimates of myelin content. The ICVF was also lower in women than men, across all ages, which difference was accounted for by intracranial volume. Finally, we found no association of metabolic risk or adiposity scores with the current estimates of ICVF. In addition, the previously observed adiposity-myelin associations (Burzynska et al., 2023) were independent of ICVF. Although our findings confirm the vulnerability of axons to aging, they suggest that metabolic dysfunction may selectively affect myelin content, at least in cognitively and neurologically healthy adults with low metabolic risk, and when using the specific MRI techniques. Future studies need to revisit our findings using larger samples and different MRI approaches, and identify modifiable factors that accelerate axonal deterioration as well as mechanisms linking peripheral metabolism with the health of myelin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Z Burzynska
- The BRAiN lab, Department of Human Development and Family Studies/Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Charles Anderson
- Department of Computer Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - David B. Arciniegas
- Marcus Institute for Brain Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Vince Calhoun
- Tri-institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - In-Young Choi
- Department of Neurology, Department of Radiology, Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Andrea Mendez Colmenares
- The BRAiN lab, Department of Human Development and Family Studies/Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Arthur F Kramer
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois, IL, USA
- Center for Cognitive & Brain Health, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaigang Li
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jongho Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Phil Lee
- Department of Radiology, Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Michael L Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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Stellingwerff MD, Al-Saady ML, Chan KS, Dvorak A, Marques JP, Kolind S, Roosendaal SD, Wolf NI, Barkhof F, van der Knaap MS, Pouwels PJW. Applicability of multiple quantitative magnetic resonance methods in genetic brain white matter disorders. J Neuroimaging 2024; 34:61-77. [PMID: 37925602 DOI: 10.1111/jon.13167] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of tissue microstructure are important for monitoring brain white matter (WM) disorders like leukodystrophies and multiple sclerosis. They should be sensitive to underlying pathological changes. Three whole-brain isotropic quantitative methods were applied and compared within a cohort of controls and leukodystrophy patients: two novel myelin water imaging (MWI) techniques (multi-compartment relaxometry diffusion-informed MWI: MCR-DIMWI, and multi-echo T2 relaxation imaging with compressed sensing: METRICS) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI). METHODS For 9 patients with different leukodystrophies (age range 0.4-62.4 years) and 15 control subjects (2.3-61.3 years), T1-weighted MRI, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, multi-echo gradient echo with variable flip angles, METRICS, and multi-shell diffusion-weighted imaging were acquired on 3 Tesla. MCR-DIMWI, METRICS, NODDI, and quality control measures were extracted to evaluate differences between patients and controls in WM and deep gray matter (GM) regions of interest (ROIs). Pearson correlations, effect size calculations, and multi-level analyses were performed. RESULTS MCR-DIMWI and METRICS-derived myelin water fractions (MWFs) were lower and relaxation times were higher in patients than in controls. Effect sizes of MWF values and relaxation times were large for both techniques. Differences between patients and controls were more pronounced in WM ROIs than in deep GM. MCR-DIMWI-MWFs were more homogeneous within ROIs and more bilaterally symmetrical than METRICS-MWFs. The neurite density index was more sensitive in detecting differences between patients and controls than fractional anisotropy. Most measures obtained from MCR-DIMWI, METRICS, NODDI, and diffusion tensor imaging correlated strongly with each other. CONCLUSION This proof-of-concept study shows that MCR-DIMWI, METRICS, and NODDI are sensitive techniques to detect changes in tissue microstructure in WM disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menno D Stellingwerff
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Murtadha L Al-Saady
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kwok-Shing Chan
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Adam Dvorak
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - José P Marques
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Shannon Kolind
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stefan D Roosendaal
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nicole I Wolf
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marjo S van der Knaap
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Petra J W Pouwels
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Anderson JFI, Oehr LE, Chen J, Maller JJ, Seal ML, Yang JYM. The relationship between cognition and white matter tract damage after mild traumatic brain injury in a premorbidly healthy, hospitalised adult cohort during the post-acute period. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1278908. [PMID: 37936919 PMCID: PMC10626495 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1278908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Recent developments in neuroimaging techniques enable increasingly sensitive consideration of the cognitive impact of damage to white matter tract (WMT) microstructural organisation after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Objective This study investigated the relationship between WMT microstructural properties and cognitive performance. Participants setting and design Using an observational design, a group of 26 premorbidly healthy adults with mTBI and a group of 20 premorbidly healthy trauma control (TC) participants who were well-matched on age, sex, premorbid functioning and a range of physical, psychological and trauma-related variables, were recruited following hospital admission for traumatic injury. Main measures All participants underwent comprehensive unblinded neuropsychological examination and structural neuroimaging as outpatients 6-10 weeks after injury. Neuropsychological examination included measures of speed of processing, attention, memory, executive function, affective state, pain, fatigue and self-reported outcome. The WMT microstructural properties were estimated using both diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) modelling techniques. Tract properties were compared between the corpus callosum, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, uncinate fasciculus, anterior corona radiata and three segmented sections of the superior longitudinal fasciculus. Results For the TC group, in all investigated tracts, with the exception of the uncinate fasciculus, two DTI metrics (fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient) and one NODDI metric (intra-cellular volume fraction) revealed expected predictive linear relationships between extent of WMT microstructural organisation and processing speed, memory and executive function. The mTBI group showed a strikingly different pattern relative to the TC group, with no relationships evident between WMT microstructural organisation and cognition on most tracts. Conclusion These findings indicate that the predictive relationship that normally exists in adults between WMT microstructural organisation and cognition, is significantly disrupted 6-10 weeks after mTBI and suggests that WMT microstructural organisation and cognitive function have disparate recovery trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline F. I. Anderson
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Psychology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lucy E. Oehr
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jian Chen
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jerome J. Maller
- General Electric Healthcare, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marc L. Seal
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Joseph Yuan-Mou Yang
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Neuroscience Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Advanced Clinical Imaging Service (NACIS), The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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