Low-frequency connectivity is associated with mild traumatic brain injury

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) occurs from a closed-head impact. Often referred to as concussion, about 20% of cases complain of secondary psychological sequelae, such as disorders of attention and memory. Known as post-concussive symptoms (PCS), these problems can severely disrupt the patient's quality of life. Changes in local spectral power, particularly low-frequency amplitude increases and/or peak alpha slowing have been reported in mTBI, but large-scale connectivity metrics based on inter-regional amplitude correlations relevant for integration and segregation in functional brain networks, and their association with disorders in cognition and behaviour, remain relatively unexplored. Here, we used non-invasive neuroimaging with magnetoencephalography to examine functional connectivity in a resting-state protocol in a group with mTBI (n = 20), and a control group (n = 21). We observed a trend for atypical slow-wave power changes in subcortical, temporal and parietal regions in mTBI, as well as significant long-range increases in amplitude envelope correlations among deep-source, temporal, and frontal regions in the delta, theta, and alpha bands. Subsequently, we conducted an exploratory analysis of patterns of connectivity most associated with variability in secondary symptoms of mTBI, including inattention, anxiety, and depression. Differential patterns of altered resting state neurophysiological network connectivity were found across frequency bands. This indicated that multiple network and frequency specific alterations in large scale brain connectivity may contribute to overlapping cognitive sequelae in mTBI. In conclusion, we show that local spectral power content can be supplemented with measures of correlations in amplitude to define general networks that are atypical in mTBI, and suggest that certain cognitive difficulties are mediated by disturbances in a variety of alterations in network interactions which are differentially expressed across canonical neurophysiological frequency ranges.

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Patients with mTBI display increased connectivity in low-frequency resting state.

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Elevated low-frequency power observed in temporal and deep-grey regions in mTBI

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Frontal, temporal and deep-grey regions show increased amplitude correlations in mTBI.

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Disorders of attention, anxiety and depression are associated with distinct, frequency-specific networks across the brain.

Role of morality in the experience of guilt and shame within the armed forces

OBJECTIVE

Despite advances in our understanding of mental health issues among military forces, a large proportion of military personnel continue to exhibit deployment-related psychological issues. Recent work has identified symptoms of guilt and shame related to moral injury as contributing significantly to combat-related mental health issues. This systematic scoping review explores the association between morality and symptoms of guilt and shame within military forces.

METHOD

A search of the literature pertaining to guilt, shame and morality within military samples was conducted.

RESULTS

Nineteen articles were selected for review. There is strong evidence linking exposure to and the perceived perpetration of moral transgressions with experiences of guilt and shame. Critically, symptoms of guilt and shame were related to adverse mental health outcomes, particularly the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). No studies have explored moral judgment in conjunction with assessments of guilt or moral injury.

CONCLUSION

These findings have important implications for the prevention and treatment of PTSD-related symptoms in military samples. By measuring moral judgment prior to deployment, it may be possible to predict the likelihood of incurring moral injuries and the development of associated symptoms. Early intervention programmes aimed at ameliorating guilt and shame are required to prevent the long-term development of deployment-related psychological distress.

Neuroanatomical features in soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder

Background

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to psychological trauma, impacts up to 20 % of soldiers returning from combat-related deployment. Advanced neuroimaging holds diagnostic and prognostic potential for furthering our understanding of its etiology. Previous imaging studies on combat-related PTSD have focused on selected structures, such as the hippocampi and cortex, but none conducted a comprehensive examination of both the cerebrum and cerebellum. The present study provides a complete analysis of cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar anatomy in a single cohort. Forty-seven magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were collected from 24 soldiers with PTSD and 23 Control soldiers. Each image was segmented into 78 cortical brain regions and 81,924 vertices using the corticometric iterative vertex based estimation of thickness algorithm, allowing for both a region-based and a vertex-based cortical analysis, respectively. Subcortical volumetric analyses of the hippocampi, cerebellum, thalamus, globus pallidus, caudate, putamen, and many sub-regions were conducted following their segmentation using Multiple Automatically Generated Templates Brain algorithm.

Results

Participants with PTSD were found to have reduced cortical thickness, primarily in the frontal and temporal lobes, with no preference for laterality. The region-based analyses further revealed localized thinning as well as thickening in several sub-regions. These results were accompanied by decreased volumes of the caudate and right hippocampus, as computed relative to total cerebral volume. Enlargement in several cerebellar lobules (relative to total cerebellar volume) was also observed in the PTSD group.

Conclusions

These data highlight the distributed structural differences between soldiers with and without PTSD, and emphasize the diagnostic potential of high-resolution MRI.

Neurofeedback Tunes Scale-Free Dynamics in Spontaneous Brain Activity

Brain oscillations exhibit long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs), which reflect the regularity of their fluctuations: low values representing more random (decorrelated) while high values more persistent (correlated) dynamics. LRTCs constitute supporting evidence that the brain operates near criticality, a state where neuronal activities are balanced between order and randomness. Here, healthy adults used closed-loop brain training (neurofeedback, NFB) to reduce the amplitude of alpha oscillations, producing a significant increase in spontaneous LRTCs post-training. This effect was reproduced in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, where abnormally random dynamics were reversed by NFB, correlating with significant improvements in hyperarousal. Notably, regions manifesting abnormally low LRTCs (i.e., excessive randomness) normalized toward healthy population levels, consistent with theoretical predictions about self-organized criticality. Hence, when exposed to appropriate training, spontaneous cortical activity reveals a residual capacity for "self-tuning" its own temporal complexity, despite manifesting the abnormal dynamics seen in individuals with psychiatric disorder. Lastly, we observed an inverse-U relationship between strength of LRTC and oscillation amplitude, suggesting a breakdown of long-range dependence at high/low synchronization extremes, in line with recent computational models. Together, our findings offer a broader mechanistic framework for motivating research and clinical applications of NFB, encompassing disorders with perturbed LRTCs.

Addressing moral injury in the military

Moral injury is a relatively new, but increasingly studied, construct in the field of mental health, particularly in relation to current and ex-serving military personnel. Moral injury refers to the enduring psychosocial, spiritual or ethical harms that can result from exposure to high-stakes events that strongly clash with one's moral beliefs. There is a pressing need for further research to advance understanding of the nature of moral injury; its relationship to mental disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder and depression; triggering events and underpinning mechanisms; and prevalence, prevention and treatment. In the meantime, military leaders have an immediate need for guidance on how moral injury should be addressed and, where possible, prevented. Such guidance should be theoretically sound, evidence-informed and ethically responsible. Further, the implementation of any practice change based on the guidance should contribute to the advancement of science through robust evaluation. This paper draws together current research on moral injury, best-practice approaches in the adjacent field of psychological resilience, and principles of effective implementation and evaluation. This research is combined with the military and veteran mental health expertise of the authors to provide guidance on the design, implementation and evaluation of moral injury interventions in the military. The paper discusses relevant training in military ethical practice, as well as the key roles leaders have in creating cohesive teams and having frank discussions about the moral and ethical challenges that military personnel face.

Multiple Splenic Hamartomas in a Trauma Patient: Report and Literature Review of a Rare Entity

Introduction/Objective

The most common non-hematopoietic primary lesions of the spleen are benign and vascular in nature. Most are encountered incidentally at autopsy, trauma, or by imaging. The histologic differential diagnosis is challenging and often requires the use of immunohistochemical stains to distinguish from other aggressive lesions.

We present a case of multiple splenic hamartomas discovered incidentally in a routine surgical specimen.

Methods

A 46-year-old male trauma patient with no known medical history underwent splenectomy after sustaining a grade 3 splenic laceration.

Results

The specimen weighed 198 grams and featured hemorrhagic capsular disruption. Within the intact parenchyma were multiple non-encapsulated, discrete pale foci ranging in size from 1–9 mm. Microscopically, these corresponded to multiple well-demarcated nodules with tortuous slit-like and dilated vascular channels lined by plump endothelial cells with no significant atypia or mitotic activity, and CD8+/CD31+/CD68+ (focal)/CD21-/CD34- phenotype by immunohistochemical staining. The intervening stroma was disorganized, with abundant foamy histiocytes and scattered lymphocytes with no defined white pulp-like structures. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings supported a diagnosis of splenic hamartomas.

Conclusion

Exclusive to the spleen, splenic hamartomas are composed of mixed normal red and white pulp elements in disorganized configuration. They have no known demographic predilection and are exceedingly rare, with one institutional study reporting an incidence of 0.024–0.13% at autopsies. Congenital malformations of red pulp, neoplasms of red pulp, and post-traumatic reactive origin have been discussed as possible etiologies. Although rarely presenting with splenomegaly and hypersplenism, most cases are asymptomatic. Differentiation from other splenic vascular lesions is often challenging, and CD8 positivity in endothelial cells is usually a defining characteristic.

Familiarity with the features of this rare and benign entity is important to distinguish it from malignant primary and metastatic tumors.

A Rare Case of Primary Cardiac T-cell Lymphoma in Immunocompetent Adult

Introduction/Objective

Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is an extranodal lymphoma involving only the heart and/or the pericardium. It is exceedingly rare, accounting for <2% of primary cardiac neoplasms in a surgical series and 0.05% of a >12,000 autopsies’ series, and is often associated with an immunocompromised state. Most PCL are of B- cell lineage with T-cell lymphoma constituting < 10%.

Methods/Case Report

We report a case of unexpected sudden death due to primary cardiac T-cell lymphoma in a 48-year-old immunocompetent man without significant medical history who presented in cardiopulmonary arrest following a two-week history of cold-like symptoms. Autopsy revealed an irregular, discontinuous tan plaque on the epicardial surface that extended over the right and left ventricles, and sectioning revealed that extension of the lesion throughout the subvalvular myocardium of the left ventricular wall, interventricular septum, and medial aspects of the right ventricle. The lesion had irregular areas of necrosis and hemorrhage. No lymphadenopathy or other visceral lesions were identified. Histologically, the myocardium had a regionally necrotic, angiocentric infiltrate of atypical, large, pleomorphic lymphoid cells with large, irregular nuclei, vesicular chromatin, and conspicuous nucleoli. Initial immunohistochemical work-up showed a profile of CD45+/CD20-/CD3+ suggesting a T-cell origin with CD8 predominance (CD4-/CD8+). Further work-up demonstrated a profile as CD2+/CD7+/CD25+/CD30+/EBV(EBER- ISH)+/Ki67(70-80%)/ and ALK-1-/BCL6-/CD5-/CD10-/CD56-, supporting extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, extranasal type with a cytotoxic T-cell subtype (perforin+/granzyme B+/TIA-1+/TCR Beta F1+).

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

NA.

Conclusion

Primary cardiac lymphoma with cytotoxic T-cell subtype is extremely rare and fatal. This case is the third report over the past two decades, to our knowledge, of a primary cardiac T-cell lymphoma leading to acute heart failure and sudden death in an immunocompetent adult.

Gluteal Region Plasmablastic Lymphoma in a Crohn’s Disease Patient Treated with Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor and Immunosuppressive Therapies: Report of a Rare Case with Literature Review

Introduction/Objective

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is rare, initially described in the oral cavity of HIV patients but can affect other extra-nodal sites and immunodeficiency states. We report an unusual case of PBL in an HIV negative Crohn’s disease (CD) patient with prior anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and immunosuppressive therapies including prednisone.

Methods/Case Report

A 54-year-old man with recent bleeding from chronic gluteal wounds had CD (five years), a left-lower-quadrant diverting colostomy (three years) and treatment with adalimumab (three years), briefly with infliximab (discontinued after an infusion reaction) and chronic prednisone. Multiple perianal fistulous tracts were present and biopsied. Dermal diffuse infiltrate of pleomorphic plasmacytoid cells had prominent nucleoli, and an immunohistochemical profile as: CD20-/CD22-/CD30-/CD38-/CD45-/CD56+(weak, subset)/CD79a-/CD138+/EBV+(EBER-ISH)/HHV8-/kappa+/lambda-/MUM1+/PAX5-/Ki-67(70-80%) confirming PBL. Chemotherapy with bortezomib combined with etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin resulted in a good response.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

NA.

Conclusion

A meta-analysis found increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in CD treated with anti-TNFs, however, lymphoma subtypes were not specified. Seven cases of CD-associated PBL were found in the literature (from 2007). Of all cases 6 were men and 2 women with an average age 49 years (range 32-65), HIV negativity documented in five, involvement sites of gastrointestinal tract (5), perianal skin (2) and paravertebral soft tissue (1), and treatments with anti-TNFs (6), 6-mercaptopurine+budesonide (1) and salazosulfapyridine (1). The average intervals from CD and anti-TNFs to PBL were 14.5 years (range 5-30) and 17 months (range 4-36) respectively. Increased PBL risk may be related to the disease itself, anti-TNF/immunomodulator therapies, EBV reactivation, or other host-related factors. Investigations for potential risks of CD therapies can ensure their safe use in susceptible patients.

Leukemia Cutis in a Patient with Rare Indolent T-Prolymphocytic Leukemia - A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction/Objective

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is rare, comprising 2% of mature lymphocytic leukemias in adults. Clinical course is usually aggressive, however, 20-30% patients can have an indolent early phase. Most patients present with extensive disease with peripheral blood lymphocytosis, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. T-PLL has a higher incidence in patients with ataxia-telangiectasia.

Methods

We present a case of a 67-year old man with history of somatic mutation of ataxia-telangiectasia gene (ATM) and multiple malignancies, including melanoma, skin and laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas, adrenal adenoma and spindle cell lung tumor (diagnosed on biopsy), who developed leukemia cutis during an indolent phase of T-PLL.

Results

Initial diagnosis of T-PLL was on routine complete blood count when patient had mild atypical lymphocytosis (5.5 x 109/L). Flow-cytometry immunophenotyping detected CD4 + 8 positive mature T-cells with no aberrant loss of T- cell antigens, and molecular studies confirmed clonal T-cell receptor beta and gamma gene rearrangements. T-PLL associated leukemia cutis was diagnosed on a leg skin nodule biopsy 10 months later. Subsequent bone marrow biopsy demonstrated low level involvement by T-PLL. The patient’s T-PLL followed an indolent trajectory for three years and treatment was withheld until symptomatic presentation. Rapid disease progression was heralded with emergence of widespread T-PLL leukemia cutis, rapidly increasing lymphocytosis, extensive lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and increasing LDH levels.

Conclusion

Skin involvement is reportedly identified in 20% to 50% of T-PLL cases in some series. Skin manifestations can be heterogenous with a broad clinical differential. T-PLL associated leukemia cutis may not be recognized owing to the overall low incidence and in skin lesions appearing during an undiagnosed indolent early phase of T-PLL.We highlight the importance of accurate evaluation of non-specific skin lesions in early detection of T- PLL. Being aware of this diagnosis and early engagement in an interdisciplinary approach may allow for better outcomes of this aggressive malignancy.

CDX2 Expression in Primary and Metastatic Prostatic Adenocarcinoma: A Retrospective Study

Introduction/Objective

CDX2 encodes a transcription factor expressed in the nuclei of intestinal epithelial cells. The CDX2 immunohistochemical stain has excellent diagnostic utility in the setting of carcinoma of unknown primary, especially in combination with cytokeratins 7 and 20. While the stain is fairly specific for intestinal origin, it is also expressed in tumors of other origins. Only rare case reports have described positivity for CDX2 in metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma. Having experienced a diagnostic dilemma involving CDX2 positivity in metastatic prostate cancer, we decided to study the rate of positivity for CDX2 in primary and metastatic prostate carcinomas. A literature search revealed several immunoassay studies and case reports of CDX2 positivity in the primary and metastatic setting.

Methods

Following IRB approval, a search of the electronic medical records was performed to identify prostatic adenocarcinoma diagnoses on prostatectomy and metastatic specimens. Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded blocks were obtained. Unstained slides were cut at 4µm and the staining protocol for CDX2 from Cell Marque™ was performed. 109 cases were stained, including 88 prostatectomy and 21 metastatic specimens.

Results

Of the 109 cases, 75 were negative for CDX2, including 19 of the 21 metastatic cases. Of the remaining 34 cases, 10 were strongly positive for CDX2, including two metastatic cases (clavicle and right iliac bone). The remaining 24 were identified as weakly positive (12 cases), focally positive (7 cases), weakly and focally positive (3 cases), or patchy positive (2 cases). Overall, 36.36% of prostatectomy specimens had tumors with some CDX2 positivity, compared to 9.52% of metastatic cases. The patient ages at diagnosis ranged from 44 to 84 years, with a median value of 59 years, and at metastasis ranged from 51 to 87 years, with a median age of 64. PSA ranged from 2.8 to 3564 at diagnosis (median 9) and undetectable to 2024 at metastasis (median 56).

Conclusion

CDX2 is often positive to some degree in both benign and malignant prostates, and can present a diagnostic pitfall in the case of metastasis. Hence, CDX2 positivity does not exclude the diagnosis of prostate cancer in the evaluation of unknown primary. In our study, the number of metastatic cases studied was relatively low. Future studies with more cases could better quantify the positive rate for CDX2 in metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma.