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Mikulska J, Pietrzak D, Rękawek P, Siudaj K, Walczak-Nowicka ŁJ, Herbet M. Celiac disease and depressive disorders as nutritional implications related to common factors - A comprehensive review. Behav Brain Res 2024; 462:114886. [PMID: 38309373 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114886] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated disease affecting the small intestine. The only treatment strategy for CD is the gluten-free diet (GFD). One of the more common mental disorders in CD patients is major depressive disorder (MDD). The influence of GFD on the occurrence of MDD symptoms in patients with CD will be evaluated. This diet often reduces nutritional deficiencies in these patients and also helps to reduce depressive symptoms. Both disease entities are often dominated by the same deficiencies of nutrients such as iron, zinc, selenium, iodine, or B and D vitamins. Deficiencies of particular components in CD can favor MDD and vice versa. Gluten can adversely affect the mental state of patients without CD. Also, intestinal microbiota may play an important role in the described process. This work aims to comprehensively assess the common factors involved in the pathomechanisms of MDD and CD, with particular emphasis on nutrient imbalances. Given the complexity of both disease entities, and the many common links, more research related to improving mental health in these patients and the implementation of a GFD would need to be conducted, but it appears to be a viable pathway to improving the quality of life and health of people struggling with CD and MDD. Therefore, probiotics, micronutrients, macronutrients, and vitamin supplements are recommended to reduce the risk of MDD, given that they may alleviate the symptoms of both these disease entities. In turn, in patients with MDD, it is worth considering testing for CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Mikulska
- Chair and Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 8 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Diana Pietrzak
- Chair and Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 8 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Paweł Rękawek
- Chair and Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 8 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Krystian Siudaj
- Chair and Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 8 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Łucja Justyna Walczak-Nowicka
- Chair and Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 8 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Mariola Herbet
- Chair and Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 8 Chodźki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Cantone M, Geraci G, Godos J, Lanza G. Editorial: Nutrients and brain: from bench to the bedside. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1184468. [PMID: 37275346 PMCID: PMC10236948 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1184468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mariagiovanna Cantone
- Neurology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulio Geraci
- Internal Medicine Unit, Sant'Elia Hospital, ASP Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta, Italy
| | - Justyna Godos
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute–IRCCS, Troina, Italy
- Center for Human Nutrition and Mediterranean Foods (NUTREA), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Cognitive Impairment in Celiac Disease Patients: Scoping Review Exploring Psychological Triggers in a Chronic Condition. GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/gidisord5010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Celiac disease (CD), also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an inflammatory autoimmune reaction triggered by ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed subjects. Celiac disease is often associated with a wide range of disorders, caused by immune responses and by malabsorption with subsequent nutritional deficiencies. Prevalent neurologic manifestations are ataxia, epilepsy, cerebral calcification, cerebral white matter lesions, peripheral neuropathy and myopathy, but also cognitive impairment. The study aimed to identify emerging and urgent research domains in order to establish a CD-specific patient-tailored protocol that includes both psychological and neuropsychological evaluations. We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Cochrane library in November 2022. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the characteristics of the included literature. Based on the exclusion/inclusion criteria, a total of seven articles were included in the scoping review process. This review demonstrated the lack of research on CD-related cognitive impairment key features and tries to focus on both cognitive and psychological manifestations as well as their two-way interaction. We tried to establish the specific areas involved, in order to have a comprehensive view of this condition and trying to determine a correct way of assessing CD cognitive impairment and its correlations with psychological distress and personal coping skills to a chronic condition. Nevertheless, research on this topic is progressively increasing and future studies should address specific key points.
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Celiac Disease and Neurological Manifestations: From Gluten to Neuroinflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415564. [PMID: 36555205 PMCID: PMC9779232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Celiac disease (CD) is a complex multi-organ disease with a high prevalence of extra-intestinal involvement, including neurological and psychiatric manifestations, such as cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, epilepsy, headache, cognitive impairment, and depression. However, the mechanisms behind the neurological involvement in CD remain controversial. Recent evidence shows these can be related to gluten-mediated pathogenesis, including antibody cross-reaction, deposition of immune-complex, direct neurotoxicity, and in severe cases, vitamins or nutrients deficiency. Here, we have summarized new evidence related to gut microbiota and the so-called "gut-liver-brain axis" involved in CD-related neurological manifestations. Additionally, there has yet to be an agreement on whether serological or neurophysiological findings can effectively early diagnose and properly monitor CD-associated neurological involvement; notably, most of them can revert to normal with a rigorous gluten-free diet. Moving from a molecular level to a symptom-based approach, clinical, serological, and neurophysiology data might help to disentangle the many-faceted interactions between the gut and brain in CD. Eventually, the identification of multimodal biomarkers might help diagnose, monitor, and improve the quality of life of patients with "neuroCD".
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Lanza G, Fisicaro F, Dubbioso R, Ranieri F, Chistyakov AV, Cantone M, Pennisi M, Grasso AA, Bella R, Di Lazzaro V. A comprehensive review of transcranial magnetic stimulation in secondary dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:995000. [PMID: 36225892 PMCID: PMC9549917 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.995000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although primary degenerative diseases are the main cause of dementia, a non-negligible proportion of patients is affected by a secondary and potentially treatable cognitive disorder. Therefore, diagnostic tools able to early identify and monitor them and to predict the response to treatment are needed. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neurophysiological technique capable of evaluating in vivo and in “real time” the motor areas, the cortico-spinal tract, and the neurotransmission pathways in several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including cognitive impairment and dementia. While consistent evidence has been accumulated for Alzheimer’s disease, other degenerative cognitive disorders, and vascular dementia, to date a comprehensive review of TMS studies available in other secondary dementias is lacking. These conditions include, among others, normal-pressure hydrocephalus, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease and other immunologically mediated diseases, as well as a number of inflammatory, infective, metabolic, toxic, nutritional, endocrine, sleep-related, and rare genetic disorders. Overall, we observed that, while in degenerative dementia neurophysiological alterations might mirror specific, and possibly primary, neuropathological changes (and hence be used as early biomarkers), this pathogenic link appears to be weaker for most secondary forms of dementia, in which neurotransmitter dysfunction is more likely related to a systemic or diffuse neural damage. In these cases, therefore, an effort toward the understanding of pathological mechanisms of cognitive impairment should be made, also by investigating the relationship between functional alterations of brain circuits and the specific mechanisms of neuronal damage triggered by the causative disease. Neurophysiologically, although no distinctive TMS pattern can be identified that might be used to predict the occurrence or progression of cognitive decline in a specific condition, some TMS-associated measures of cortical function and plasticity (such as the short-latency afferent inhibition, the short-interval intracortical inhibition, and the cortical silent period) might add useful information in most of secondary dementia, especially in combination with suggestive clinical features and other diagnostic tests. The possibility to detect dysfunctional cortical circuits, to monitor the disease course, to probe the response to treatment, and to design novel neuromodulatory interventions in secondary dementia still represents a gap in the literature that needs to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giuseppe Lanza,
| | - Francesco Fisicaro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Federico Ranieri
- Unit of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Mariagiovanna Cantone
- Neurology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital “G. Rodolico – San Marco”, Catania, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Sant’Elia Hospital, ASP Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta, Italy
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alfio Antonio Grasso
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Bella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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Wu Y, Yang Z, Cui S. Update Research Advances in the Application of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Schizophrenia. SCANNING 2022; 2022:5415775. [PMID: 36160325 PMCID: PMC9484979 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5415775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia presents a chronic progressive course and requires long-term treatment. The current treatment of schizophrenia is mainly based on antipsychotic drugs, but drugs are ineffective for the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction of schizophrenia, and long-term medication may increase the burden on the endocrine and circulatory systems of patients. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive, painless, safe, efficacious, and economical physical therapy measure that has achieved good results in the treatment of schizophrenia. This paper reviews the progress of research on the clinical application of transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhai Wu
- The Third People's Hospital of Fuyang, Fuyang 236000, China
| | - Zucheng Yang
- Anhui Province Veterans Hospital, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - Shu Cui
- The Third People's Hospital of Fuyang, Fuyang 236000, China
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Fisicaro F, Lanza G, D’Agate CC, Pennisi M, Cantone M, Pennisi G, Hadjivassiliou M, Bella R. Cerebral hemodynamic changes to transcranial Doppler sonography in celiac disease: A pilot study. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:931727. [PMID: 36147295 PMCID: PMC9487999 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.931727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sonographic mesenteric pattern in celiac disease (CD) suggests a hyperdynamic circulation. Despite the well-known CD-related neurological involvement, no study has systematically explored the cerebral hemodynamics to transcranial Doppler sonography. Materials and methods Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were assessed in 15 newly diagnosed subjects with CD and 15 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) velocities and indices of resistivity (RI) and pulsatility (PI) from the middle cerebral artery (MCA), bilaterally, and the basilar artery (BA) were recorded. We also assessed cerebral vasomotor reactivity (CVR) through the breath-holding test (BHT). Results Worse scores of MoCA and HDRS were found in patients compared to controls. Although patients showed higher values of CBF velocity from MCA bilaterally compared to controls, both at rest and after BHT, no comparison reached a statistical significance, whereas after BHT both RI and PI from BA were significantly higher in patients. A significant negative correlation between both indices from BA and MoCA score were also noted. Conclusion These treatment-naïve CD patients may show some subtle CVR changes in posterior circulation, thus possibly expanding the spectrum of pathomechanisms underlying neuroceliac disease and in particular gluten ataxia. Subclinical identification of cerebrovascular pathology in CD may help adequate prevention and early management of neurological involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Fisicaro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giuseppe Lanza,
| | - Carmela Cinzia D’Agate
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Policlinico University Hospital “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Mariagiovanna Cantone
- Neurology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
- Department of Neurology, Sant’Elia Hospital, ASP Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pennisi
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marios Hadjivassiliou
- Academic Department of Neurosciences, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Rita Bella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Lanza G, Cosentino FII, Lanuzza B, Tripodi M, Aricò D, Figorilli M, Puligheddu M, Fisicaro F, Bella R, Ferri R, Pennisi M. Reduced Intracortical Facilitation to TMS in Both Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) and Early Parkinson's Disease with RBD. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11092291. [PMID: 35566417 PMCID: PMC9104430 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND a reduced intracortical facilitation (ICF), a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measure largely mediated by glutamatergic neurotransmission, was observed in subjects affected by isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD). However, direct comparison between iRBD and Parkinson's disease (PD) with RBD is currently lacking. METHODS resting motor threshold, contralateral cortical silent period, amplitude and latency of motor evoked potentials, short-interval intracortical inhibition, and intracortical facilitation (ICF) were recorded from 15 drug-naïve iRBD patients, 15 drug-naïve PD with RBD patients, and 15 healthy participants from the right First Dorsal Interosseous muscle. REM sleep atonia index (RAI), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were assessed. RESULTS Groups were similar for sex, age, education, and patients for RBD duration and RAI. Neurological examination, MMSE, ESS, and GDS were normal in iRBD patients and controls; ESS scored worse in PD patients, but with no difference between groups at post hoc analysis. Compared to controls, both patient groups exhibited a significantly decreased ICF, without difference between them. CONCLUSIONS iRBD and PD with RBD shared a reduced ICF, thus suggesting the involvement of glutamatergic transmission both in subjects at risk for degeneration and in those with an overt α-synucleinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-3782448
| | - Filomena Irene Ilaria Cosentino
- Department of Neurology IC and Sleep Research Center, Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy; (F.I.I.C.); (B.L.); (M.T.); (D.A.)
| | - Bartolo Lanuzza
- Department of Neurology IC and Sleep Research Center, Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy; (F.I.I.C.); (B.L.); (M.T.); (D.A.)
| | - Mariangela Tripodi
- Department of Neurology IC and Sleep Research Center, Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy; (F.I.I.C.); (B.L.); (M.T.); (D.A.)
| | - Debora Aricò
- Department of Neurology IC and Sleep Research Center, Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy; (F.I.I.C.); (B.L.); (M.T.); (D.A.)
| | - Michela Figorilli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari and AOU Cagliari, Asse Didattico E., SS 554 Bivio Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.)
- Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Asse Didattico E., SS 554 Bivio Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Monica Puligheddu
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari and AOU Cagliari, Asse Didattico E., SS 554 Bivio Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.F.); (M.P.)
- Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Asse Didattico E., SS 554 Bivio Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesco Fisicaro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Rita Bella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Raffaele Ferri
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy;
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.F.); (M.P.)
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Preserved central cholinergic functioning to transcranial magnetic stimulation in de novo patients with celiac disease. PLoS One 2021. [PMID: 34914787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261373.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Celiac disease (CD) is now viewed as a systemic disease with multifaceted clinical manifestations. Among the extra-intestinal features, neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms are still a diagnostic challenge, since they can precede or follow the diagnosis of CD. In particular, it is well known that some adults with CD may complain of cognitive symptoms, that improve when the gluten-free diet (GFD) is started, although they may re-appear after incidental gluten intake. Among the neurophysiological techniques, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can non-invasively probe in vivo the excitation state of cortical areas and cortico-spinal conductivity, being also able to unveil preclinical impairment in several neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as in some systemic diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS), such as CD. We previously demonstrated an intracortical disinhibition and hyperfacilitation of MEP responses to TMS in newly diagnosed patients. However, no data are available on the central cholinergic functioning indexed by specific TMS measures, such as the short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI), which might represent the neurophysiological correlate of cognitive changes in CD patients, also at the preclinical level. METHODS Cognitive and depressive symptoms were screened by means of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), respectively, in 15 consecutive de novo CD patients and 15 healthy controls. All patients were on normal diet at the time of the enrolment. Brain computed tomography (CT) was performed in all patients. SAI, recorded at two interstimulus intervals (2 and 8 ms), was assessed as the percentage amplitude ratio between the conditioned and the unconditioned MEP response. Resting motor threshold, MEP amplitude and latency, and central motor conduction time were also measured. RESULTS The two groups were comparable for age, sex, anthropometric features, and educational level. Brain CT ruled out intracranial calcifications and clear radiological abnormalities in all patients. Scores at MoCA and HDRS were significantly worse in patients than in controls. The comparison of TMS data between the two groups revealed no statistically significant difference for all measures, including SAI at both interstimulus intervals. CONCLUSIONS Central cholinergic functioning explored by the SAI of the motor cortex resulted to be not affected in these de novo CD patients compared to age-matched healthy controls. Although the statistically significant difference in MoCA, an overt cognitive impairment was not clinically evident in CD patients. Coherently, to date, no study based on TMS or other diagnostic techniques has shown any involvement of the central acetylcholine or the cholinergic fibers within the CNS in CD. This finding might add support to the vascular inflammation hypothesis underlying the so-called "gluten encephalopathy", which seems to be due to an aetiology different from that of the cholinergic dysfunction. Longitudinal studies correlating clinical, TMS, and neuroimaging data, both before and after GFD, are needed.
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Lanza G, Fisicaro F, D’Agate CC, Ferri R, Cantone M, Falzone L, Pennisi G, Bella R, Hadjivassiliou M, Pennisi M. Preserved central cholinergic functioning to transcranial magnetic stimulation in de novo patients with celiac disease. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261373. [PMID: 34914787 PMCID: PMC8675755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Celiac disease (CD) is now viewed as a systemic disease with multifaceted clinical manifestations. Among the extra-intestinal features, neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms are still a diagnostic challenge, since they can precede or follow the diagnosis of CD. In particular, it is well known that some adults with CD may complain of cognitive symptoms, that improve when the gluten-free diet (GFD) is started, although they may re-appear after incidental gluten intake. Among the neurophysiological techniques, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can non-invasively probe in vivo the excitation state of cortical areas and cortico-spinal conductivity, being also able to unveil preclinical impairment in several neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as in some systemic diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS), such as CD. We previously demonstrated an intracortical disinhibition and hyperfacilitation of MEP responses to TMS in newly diagnosed patients. However, no data are available on the central cholinergic functioning indexed by specific TMS measures, such as the short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI), which might represent the neurophysiological correlate of cognitive changes in CD patients, also at the preclinical level. METHODS Cognitive and depressive symptoms were screened by means of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), respectively, in 15 consecutive de novo CD patients and 15 healthy controls. All patients were on normal diet at the time of the enrolment. Brain computed tomography (CT) was performed in all patients. SAI, recorded at two interstimulus intervals (2 and 8 ms), was assessed as the percentage amplitude ratio between the conditioned and the unconditioned MEP response. Resting motor threshold, MEP amplitude and latency, and central motor conduction time were also measured. RESULTS The two groups were comparable for age, sex, anthropometric features, and educational level. Brain CT ruled out intracranial calcifications and clear radiological abnormalities in all patients. Scores at MoCA and HDRS were significantly worse in patients than in controls. The comparison of TMS data between the two groups revealed no statistically significant difference for all measures, including SAI at both interstimulus intervals. CONCLUSIONS Central cholinergic functioning explored by the SAI of the motor cortex resulted to be not affected in these de novo CD patients compared to age-matched healthy controls. Although the statistically significant difference in MoCA, an overt cognitive impairment was not clinically evident in CD patients. Coherently, to date, no study based on TMS or other diagnostic techniques has shown any involvement of the central acetylcholine or the cholinergic fibers within the CNS in CD. This finding might add support to the vascular inflammation hypothesis underlying the so-called "gluten encephalopathy", which seems to be due to an aetiology different from that of the cholinergic dysfunction. Longitudinal studies correlating clinical, TMS, and neuroimaging data, both before and after GFD, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lanza
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Francesco Fisicaro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Cinzia D’Agate
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ferri
- Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Mariagiovanna Cantone
- Department of Neurology, Sant’Elia Hospital, ASP Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta, Italy
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Instituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pennisi
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Bella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marios Hadjivassiliou
- Academic Department of Neurosciences, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Manuela Pennisi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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