Widespread cortical and subcortical brain atrophy in Parkinson’s disease with excessive daytime sleepiness

Linking the cerebellum to Parkinson disease: an update

Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by heterogeneous motor and non-motor symptoms, resulting from neurodegeneration involving various parts of the central nervous system. Although PD pathology predominantly involves the nigral-striatal system, growing evidence suggests that pathological changes extend beyond the basal ganglia into other parts of the brain, including the cerebellum. In addition to a primary involvement in motor control, the cerebellum is now known to also have an important role in cognitive, sleep and affective processes. Over the past decade, an accumulating body of research has provided clinical, pathological, neurophysiological, structural and functional neuroimaging findings that clearly establish a link between the cerebellum and PD. This Review presents an overview and update on the involvement of the cerebellum in the clinical features and pathogenesis of PD, which could provide a novel framework for a better understanding the heterogeneity of the disease.

Self-reported sleepiness associates with greater brain and cortical volume and lower prevalence of ischemic covert brain infarcts in a community sample

STUDY OBJECTIVES

We evaluated if self-reported sleepiness was associated with neuroimaging markers of brain aging and ischemic damage in a large community-based sample.

METHODS

Participants from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort (n = 468, 62.5 ± 8.7 years old, 49.6%M) free of dementia, stroke, and neurological diseases, completed sleep questionnaires and polysomnography followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3 years later on average. We used linear and logistic regression models to evaluate the associations between Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores and total brain, cortical and subcortical gray matter, and white matter hyperintensities volumes, and the presence of covert brain infarcts.

RESULTS

Higher sleepiness scores were associated with larger total brain volume, greater cortical gray matter volume, and a lower prevalence of covert brain infarcts, even when adjusting for a large array of potential confounders, including demographics, sleep profiles and disorders, organic health diseases, and proxies for daytime cognitive and physical activities. Interactions indicated that more sleepiness was associated with larger cortical gray matter volume in men only and in APOE ε4 noncarriers, whereas a trend for smaller cortical gray matter volume was observed in carriers. In longitudinal analyses, those with stable excessive daytime sleepiness over time had greater total brain and cortical gray matter volumes, whereas baseline sleepiness scores were not associated with subsequent atrophy or cognitive decline.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that sleepiness is not necessarily a marker of poor brain health when not explained by diseases or sleep debt and sleep disorders. Rather, sleepiness could be a marker of preserved sleep-regulatory processes and brain health in some cases.

Abnormalities in the Fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuation and Functional Connectivity in Parkinson's Disease With Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Background

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is one of the most important non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), and its neuropathologic basis is still unclear.

Objective

This study investigated the changes of neuronal activity in PD patients with EDS (PD-EDS) in the resting state.

Methods

Forty-three PD patients were recruited and divided into the PD-EDS group (n = 21) and PD-NEDS group (PD patients without excessive daytime sleepiness, n = 22) according to the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) scores. Patients in both groups received resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). The differences in fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) between the two groups, correlations between fALFF and ESS, and functional connection (FC) between the brain regions with different fALFF values and the whole brain were analyzed.

Results

PD-EDS patients exhibited a decreased fALFF in the Cingulum-Ant-R, but an increased fALFF in the Putamen-R and Thalamus-L when compared with PD-NEDS patients; an increased functional connectivity between these three seed regions with different fALFF values and the right medial frontal gyrus, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, left insular, and right precuneus was observed (p < 0.05), but a deceased functional connectivity between these three seed regions and the right cerebellum anterior lobe/right brainstem, right middle temporal gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus, right hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus, right medial cingulate gyrus and bilateral middle occipital gyrus was observed (p < 0.05). The value of fALFF was negatively correlated with the ESS score in the Cingulum-Ant-R, but positively correlated with the ESS score in the Putamen-R and Thalamus-L.

Conclusions

EDS in PD patients may be associated with changes in brain neuron activity and functional connectivity.

Correlation Between the Functional Connectivity of Basal Forebrain Subregions and Vigilance Dysfunction in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy With and Without Focal to Bilateral Tonic-Clonic Seizure

PURPOSE

Previous research has shown that subcortical brain regions are related to vigilance in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, it is unknown whether alterations in the function and structure of basal forebrain (BF) subregions are associated with vigilance impairment in distinct kinds of TLE. We aimed to investigate changes in the structure and function BF subregions in TLE patients with and without focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS) and associated clinical features.

METHODS

A total of 50 TLE patients (25 without and 25 with FBTCS) and 25 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. The structural and functional alterations of BF subregions in TLE were investigated using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) analysis. Correlation analyses were utilized to investigate correlations between substantially altered imaging characteristics and clinical data from patients.

RESULTS

FBTCS patients had a lower rsFC between Ch1-3 and the bilateral striatum as well as the left cerebellum posterior lobe than non-FBTCS patients. In comparison to non-FBTCS patients, the rsFC between Ch4 and the bilateral amygdala was also lower in FBTCS patients. Compared to HCs, the TLE patients had reduced rsFC between the BF subregions and the cerebellum, striatum, default mode network, frontal lobe, and occipital lobes. In the FBTCS group, the rsFC between the left Ch1-3 and striatum was positive correlated with the vigilance measures. In the non-FBTCS group, the rsFC between the left Ch4 and striatum was significantly negative correlated with the alertness measure.

CONCLUSION

These results extend current understanding of the pathophysiology of impaired vigilance in TLE and imply that the BF subregions may serve as critical nodes for developing and categorizing TLE biomarkers.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Parkinson's Disease

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is one of the most common sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD). It has attracted much attention due to high morbidity, poor quality of life, increased risk for accidents, obscure mechanisms, comorbidity with PD and limited therapeutic approaches. In this review, we summarize the current literature on epidemiology of EDS in PD to address the discrepancy between subjective and objective measures and clarify the reason for the inconsistent prevalence in previous studies. Besides, we focus on the effects of commonly used antiparkinsonian drugs on EDS and related pharmacological mechanisms to provide evidence for rational clinical medication in sleepy PD patients. More importantly, degeneration of wake-promoting nuclei owing to primary neurodegenerative process of PD is the underlying pathogenesis of EDS. Accordingly, altered wake-promoting nerve nuclei and neurotransmitter systems in PD patients are highlighted to providing clues for identifying EDS-causing targets in the sleep and wake cycles. Future mechanistic studies toward this direction will hopefully advance the development of novel and specific interventions for EDS in PD patients.

Association between Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and the Cholinergic Ascending Reticular System in Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) may occur because of dysfunction on the brain areas in controlling wakefulness; however, the pathophysiology of EDS in PD has not been completely clarified. The Pb component of a middle-latency auditory evoked response (MLR) is generated from the cholinergic ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) projecting to the auditory cortex via the thalamus. We examined the association between EDS and the Pb component in patients with PD.

METHODS

Participants were 38 patients with nondemented PD and 18 age-matched controls. EDS was evaluated using the Japanese version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (JESS). PD patients were classified into the high sleepiness (HS) group and the low sleepiness (LS) group by the score of JESS. MLRs were recorded from the scalp with each earlobe as a reference under presentation of 1-Hz and 65- to 90-dB click sounds.

RESULTS

There was no difference in age, duration, and motor function between the HS PD and the LS PD groups. Peak latencies of Pb were not different between PD group and controls; however, Pb amplitudes were significantly increased in the HS PD group compared with the LS PD group and controls.

CONCLUSION

One of the mechanisms of EDS in PD was suggested to be dysregulation of cholinergic neurons from the ARAS projecting to cortical cholinergic neurons.

Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Dysfunctions in Parkinson's Disease: A Meta-Analytic Study

A relationship between sleep disorders and cognitive dysfunctions was reported in Parkinson's Disease (PD), however, some studies did not confirm the link. A meta-analytic study was performed to investigate the relationship between sleep disorders and cognitive dysfunctions, and to clarify the evolution of cognitive status in PD patients with sleep disorders.The systematic literature search was performed up to November 2020 using PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases. We included studies published in peer-reviewed journals in English providing results about neuropsychological comparison between patients with or without sleep disorders. Meta-analysis on cross-sectional data included 54 studies for REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), 22 for Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS), 7 for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), 13 for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), and 5 for insomnia, the meta-analysis on longitudinal data included 7 studies.RBD was related to deficits of global cognitive functioning, memory, executive functions, attention/working memory, language, and visuospatial abilities. EDS was associated with deficits of global cognitive functioning and attention and working memory abilities, whereas RLS and OSA were related to global cognitive dysfunction. Moreover, we revealed that PD patients with RBD and those with EDS performed worse than PD patients without sleep disorders at follow-up rather than baseline evaluation. Our results suggest that sleep disorders are associated with cognitive deficits supporting indirectly that these, especially the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, reflect abnormalities of frontal networks and posterior cortical areas. Sleep disorders in patients with PD seem to also increase the risk for long-term cognitive decline.

Clinically relevant connectivity features define three subtypes of Parkinson's disease patients

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by complex clinical symptoms, including classic motor and nonmotor disturbances. Patients with PD vary in clinical manifestations and prognosis, which point to the existence of subtypes. This study aimed to find the fiber connectivity correlations with several crucial clinical symptoms and identify PD subtypes using unsupervised clustering analysis. One hundred and thirty-four PD patients and 77 normal controls were enrolled. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was performed to define the clinically relevant connectivity features, which were then used in the hierarchical clustering analysis to identify the distinct subtypes of PD patients. Multimodal neuroimaging analyses were further used to explore the neurophysiological basis of these subtypes. The methodology was validated in an independent data set. CCA revealed two significant clinically relevant patterns (motor-related pattern and depression-related pattern; r = .94, p < .001 and r = .926, p = .001, respectively) among PD patients, and hierarchical clustering analysis identified three neurophysiological subtypes ("mild" subtype, "severe depression-dominant" subtype and "severe motor-dominant" subtype). Multimodal neuroimaging analyses suggested that the patients in the "severe depression-dominant" subtype exhibited widespread disruptions both in function and structure, while the other two subtypes exhibited relatively mild abnormalities in brain function. In the independent validation, three similar subtypes were identified. In conclusion, we revealed heterogeneous subtypes of PD patients according to their distinct clinically relevant connectivity features. Importantly, depression symptoms have a considerable impact on brain damage in patients with PD.

Altered Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations and Functional Connectivity in Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Parkinson Disease

OBJECT

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is common in Parkinson disease (PD), but the neural basis of EDS in PD is unclear. We aim to analyze the neural activity changes in PD-related EDS.

METHODS

In the present study, 38 PD patients and 19 healthy controls underwent clinical assessments and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3T. Patients were further classified into PD patients with EDS (n = 17) and PD patients without EDS (n = 21), according to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) cutoff score with greater than 10 or less than 3. We evaluated all patients using PD-related motor and non-motor clinical scales. An analysis of covariance and post hoc two-sample t-tests were performed to examine between-groups differences of the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and functional connectivity (FC).

RESULTS

We found that, all PD-EDS subjects in our study were male. Compared with the control subjects, PD patients with EDS had decreased ALFF in the Pons and increased ALFF in the Frontal_Mid_Orb_L (p < 0.01, corrected). Moreover, PD patients with EDS showed decreased ALFF in the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) relative to PD without EDS, which was negatively correlated with the ESS score (p < 0.001). After that, the FC analysis with the left PCC region of interest showed reduced FC of the right PCC and right precuneus in PD with EDS compared with PD without EDS (p < 0.01, corrected).

CONCLUSION

We hypothesized the wake-promoting pathways and the default mode network dysfunction underlying the EDS in male PD patients.

Striatum Shape Hypertrophy in Early Stage Parkinson's Disease With Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

INTRODUCTION

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is one of the common and burdensome non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the underlying neuropathology mechanism in PD patients with EDS (PD-EDS) remains unclear. The present study aims to delineate potential locations of structural alteration of subcortical regions in early stage and drug-naïve PD-EDS.

METHODS

The study had 252 patients with PD and 92 matched healthy controls (HC). EDS was estimated with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, with a cutoff of 10. Ultimately, 59 patients were considered as PD-EDS. The remaining 193 were PD patients without EDS (PD-nEDS). FMRIB's Integrated Registration and Segmentation Tool (FIRST) was employed to assess the volumetric and surface alterations of subcortical nuclei in PD and PD-EDS.

RESULTS

Volumetric analyses found no difference in the subcortical nucleus volume between PD and HC, or PD-EDS and PD-nEDS groups. The shape analyses revealed the local atrophic changes in bilateral caudate and right putamen in patients with PD. In addition, the hypertrophic changes were located in the right putamen and left pallidum in PD-EDS than in PD-nEDS.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed the regional hypertrophy of the striatum in PD-EDS. Our results indicate that local hypertrophic striatum would be a valuable early biomarker for detecting the alteration in PD-EDS. The shape analysis contributes valuable information when investigating PD-EDS.

Increased Activation of Default Mode Network in Early Parkinson's With Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Background and Objectives

The underlying neuropathology of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) remains elusive in Parkinson's disease (PD). We aim to investigate neural network changes that underlie EDS in PD.

Methods

Early PD patients comprising eighty-one patients without EDS (EDS-) and seventeen patients with EDS (EDS+) received a resting state functional MRI scan and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Connectivities within the default mode network (DMN), motor and basal ganglia networks were compared between the EDS+ and EDS- groups. Correlations between network connectivity and the severity of EDS were investigated through linear regression.

Results

EDS+ patients displayed a trend of increased network connectivity of the posterior DMN (pDMN). A significant positive correlation was found between connectivity of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in the pDMN and ESS.

Conclusion

EDS+ patients are likely to display increased activation in the DMN, suggesting neural compensation in early PD or impaired attentiveness due to mechanisms such as mind-wandering.

White Matter Tract Alterations in Drug-Naïve Parkinson's Disease Patients With Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is relatively frequent in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), having a prominent burden on patients' quality of life and causing dangerous events such as motor-vehicle accidents. Previous studies have indicated the role of certain neural tracts in the pathophysiology of sleep disturbances, especially in PD patients. We hypothesized that white matter integrity and connectivity might be altered in patients with PD and EDS. Therefore, this study investigated brain white matter microstructure alterations in patients with Parkinson's disease with EDS (PD-EDS) compared to healthy controls and PD patients without EDS (PD-nEDS). Diffusion MRI connectometry was used to carry out group analysis between PD patients with and without EDS and healthy individuals. EDS in PD patients is associated with decreased connectivity in the left and right fornix, left and right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), left inferior and middle cerebellar peduncles in comparison to PD-nEDS group. These differences between PD-EDS and PD-nEDS patients reflects microstructural changes with respect to sleep-related circuits, which can pave the way for future investigations considering EDS pathogenesis in Parkinson's disease.

The role of phosphodiesterase 4 in excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson's disease

INTRODUCTION

Preclinical studies suggest a link between cAMP/PKA signalling, phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) expression and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Here, we investigated in vivo the association between PDE4 expression and EDS in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using [¹¹C]rolipram PET and MR imaging.

METHODS

Eighteen participants, 12 PD and 6 healthy controls, underwent one [¹¹C]rolipram PET and a multi-modal MRI scan. Probabilistic tractography was performed on subjects' diffusion data to functionally parcellate the striatum according with projections to limbic cortical areas. The severity of EDS was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). To assess PDE4 expression in PD patients with EDS, the PD cohort was divided according to the presence (n = 5) or absence (n = 7) of EDS, defined using validated cut-off of score ≥10 on the ESS as score ≥10 on the ESS.

RESULTS

PD patients with EDS showed significantly increased [¹¹C]rolipram volume of distribution (V_T) in the caudate (P = 0.029), hypothalamus (P = 0.013), hippocampus (P = 0.036) and limbic striatum (P = 0.030) compared to patients without EDS. Furthermore, higher ESS scores correlated with increased [¹¹C]rolipram V_T in the caudate (r = 0.77; P = 0.003), hypothalamus (r = 0.84; P = 0.001), hippocampus (r = 0.81; P = 0.001) and limbic subdivisions of the striatum (r = 0.80; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Our findings translate into humans preclinical data indicating that EDS is associated with elevated PDE4 in regions regulating sleep. The severity of EDS in PD was associated with elevated PDE4 expression; thus, suggesting a role of PDE4 in the pathophysiology of EDS in PD.

Neuroimaging of Sleep Disturbances in Movement Disorders

Sleep dysfunction is recognized as a distinct clinical manifestation in movement disorders, often reported early on in the disease course. Excessive daytime sleepiness, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and restless leg syndrome, amidst several others, are common sleep disturbances that often result in significant morbidity. In this article, we review the spectrum of sleep abnormalities across atypical Parkinsonian disorders including multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS), as well as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD). We also explore the current concepts on the neurobiological underpinnings of sleep disorders, including the role of dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic pathways, by evaluating the molecular, structural and functional neuroimaging evidence based on several novel techniques including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Based on the current state of research, we suggest that neuroimaging is an invaluable tool for assessing structural and functional correlates of sleep disturbances, harboring the ability to shed light on the sleep problems attached to the limited treatment options available today. As our understanding of the pathophysiology of sleep and wake disruption heightens, novel therapeutic approaches are certain to transpire.

Disturbances of Sleep and Alertness in Parkinson's Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Sleep dysfunction is one of the most common non-motor manifestations of PD that has gained significant interest over the past two decades due to its impact on the daily lives of PD patients, poorly understood mechanisms, and limited treatment options. In this review, we discuss the most common sleep disorders in PD and present recent investigations that have broadened our understanding of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of disturbed sleep and alertness in PD.

RESENT FINDINGS

The etiology of impaired sleep-wake cycles in PD is multifactorial. Sleep dysfunction in PD encompasses insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep-disordered breathing, restless legs syndrome, and circadian dysregulation. Despite the high prevalence of sleep dysfunction in PD, evidence supporting the efficacy of treatment strategies is limited. We are at the opportune time to advance our understanding of sleep dysfunction in PD, which will hopefully lead to mechanisms-driven interventions for better sleep and allow us to approach sleep as a modifiable therapeutic target for other non-motor and motor manifestations in PD.

A systematic review of the literature on disorders of sleep and wakefulness in Parkinson's disease from 2005 to 2015

Sleep disorders are among the most common non-motor manifestations in Parkinson's disease (PD) and have a significant negative impact on quality of life. While sleep disorders in PD share most characteristics with those that occur in the general population, there are several considerations specific to this patient population regarding diagnosis, management, and implications. The available research on these disorders is expanding rapidly, but many questions remain unanswered. We thus conducted a systematic review of the literature published from 2005 to 2015 on the following disorders of sleep and wakefulness in PD: REM sleep behavior disorder, insomnia, nocturia, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements, sleep disordered breathing, excessive daytime sleepiness, and circadian rhythm disorders. We discuss the epidemiology, etiology, clinical implications, associated features, evaluation measures, and management of these disorders. The influence on sleep of medications used in the treatment of motor and non-motor symptoms of PD is detailed. Additionally, we suggest areas in need of further research.

Longitudinal assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness in early Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is common and disabling in Parkinson's disease (PD). Predictors of EDS are unclear, and data on biological correlates of EDS in PD are limited. We investigated clinical, imaging and biological variables associated with longitudinal changes in sleepiness in early PD.

METHODS

The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative is a prospective cohort study evaluating progression markers in participants with PD who are unmedicated at baseline (n=423) and healthy controls (HC; n=196). EDS was measured with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Clinical, biological and imaging variables were assessed for associations with EDS for up to 3 years. A machine learning approach (random survival forests) was used to investigate baseline predictors of incident EDS.

RESULTS

ESS increased in PD from baseline to year 3 (mean±SD 5.8±3.5 to 7.55±4.6, p<0.0001), with no change in HC. Longitudinally, EDS in PD was associated with non-tremor dominant phenotype, autonomic dysfunction, depression, anxiety and probable behaviour disorder, but not cognitive dysfunction or motor severity. Dopaminergic therapy was associated with EDS at years 2 and 3, as dose increased. EDS was also associated with presynaptic dopaminergic dysfunction, whereas biofluid markers at year 1 showed no significant associations with EDS. A predictive index for EDS was generated, which included seven baseline characteristics, including non-motor symptoms and cerebrospinal fluid phosphorylated-tau/total-tau ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

In early PD, EDS increases significantly over time and is associated with several clinical variables. The influence of dopaminergic therapy on EDS is dose dependent. Further longitudinal analyses will better characterise associations with imaging and biomarkers.

Mood and neural correlates of excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson's disease

For patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), excessive daytime sleepiness (PD-EDS) is a debilitating non-motor symptom and may be affected by mood symptoms, especially depression and anxiety. Few neuroimaging works have attempted to identify the neural features of PD-EDS, but various findings were reported. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on mood and neuroimaging correlates of PD-EDS. A MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycInfo search for peer-reviewed original research articles on depression, anxiety, and neuroimaging in PD-EDS identified 26 studies on depression, nine on anxiety, and eight on neuroimaging. Half of the studies reported greater depression in PD-EDS-positive patients compared with PD-EDS-negative patients. There was a significantly positive correlation between depression and PD-EDS. Limited studies on anxiety in PD-EDS suggested a weak correlation between anxiety and EDS. For depression and anxiety, the effect sizes were medium when EDS was subjectively measured, but became small when EDS was objective measured. Current neuroimaging studies generally suggested diminished neural structural and functional features (eg, brain volume, white matter integrity as indicated by fractional anisotropy, and cerebral metabolism) in patients with PD-EDS. Future studies should apply objective and subjective measures of mood symptoms and EDS and improve the neuroimaging methodology via using multimodal techniques and whole-brain analysis to provide new clues on the mood and neural correlates of PD-EDS.

Loss of integrity and atrophy in cingulate structural covariance networks in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

In Parkinson's disease (PD), the relation between cortical brain atrophy on MRI and clinical progression is not straightforward. Determination of changes in structural covariance networks - patterns of covariance in grey matter density - has shown to be a valuable technique to detect subtle grey matter variations. We evaluated how structural network integrity in PD is related to clinical data.

METHODS

3 Tesla MRI was performed in 159 PD patients. We used nine standardized structural covariance networks identified in 370 healthy subjects as a template in the analysis of the PD data. Clinical assessment comprised motor features (Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale; MDS-UPDRS motor scale) and predominantly non-dopaminergic features (SEverity of Non-dopaminergic Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease; SENS-PD scale: postural instability and gait difficulty, psychotic symptoms, excessive daytime sleepiness, autonomic dysfunction, cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms). Voxel-based analyses were performed within networks significantly associated with PD.

RESULTS

The anterior and posterior cingulate network showed decreased integrity, associated with the SENS-PD score, p = 0.001 (β = - 0.265, ηp2 = 0.070) and p = 0.001 (β = - 0.264, ηp2 = 0.074), respectively. Of the components of the SENS-PD score, cognitive impairment and excessive daytime sleepiness were associated with atrophy within both networks.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified loss of integrity and atrophy in the anterior and posterior cingulate networks in PD patients. Abnormalities of both networks were associated with predominantly non-dopaminergic features, specifically cognition and excessive daytime sleepiness. Our findings suggest that (components of) the cingulate networks display a specific vulnerability to the pathobiology of PD and may operate as interfaces between networks involved in cognition and alertness.

Imaging the Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is acknowledged to be a multisystem syndrome, manifesting as a result of multineuropeptide dysfunction, including dopaminergic, cholinergic, serotonergic, and noradrenergic deficits. This multisystem disorder ultimately leads to the presentation of a range of nonmotor symptoms, now appreciated to be an integral part of the disease-specific spectrum of symptoms, often preceding the diagnosis of motor Parkinson's disease. In this chapter, we review the dopaminergic and nondopaminergic basis of these symptoms by exploring the neuroimaging evidence based on several techniques including positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography molecular imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and diffusion tensor imaging. We discuss the role of these neuroimaging techniques in elucidating the underlying pathophysiology of NMS in Parkinson's disease.

The pattern of gray matter atrophy in Parkinson's disease differs in cortical and subcortical regions

Cortical and subcortical gray matter (GM) atrophy may progress differently during the course of Parkinson's disease (PD). We delineated and compared the longitudinal pattern of these PD-related changes. Structural MRIs and clinical measures were obtained from 76 PD with different disease durations and 70 Controls at baseline, 18-, and 36 months. Both cortical and subcortical (putamen, caudate, and globus pallidus) GM volumes were obtained, compared, and associated with PD clinical measures at baseline. Their volumes and rates of change also were compared among Controls, PDs, and PD subgroups based on duration of illness [≤1 year (PD(E)), 1-5 years (PD(M)), and >5 years (PD(L))]. Compared to Controls, PD subjects displayed smaller cortical GM and striatal(putamen, caudate, ps ≤0.001), volumes at baseline. Cortical GM volumes were negatively associated with disease duration at baseline, whereas striatal volumes were not. PD subjects demonstrated accelerated volume loss in cortical GM (p = 0.006), putamen (p = 0.034), and caudate (p = 0.008) compared to Controls. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that accelerated cortical atrophy reached statistical significance in PD subjects with duration of illness 1-5 years (PD(M), ps<0.001) and the trend of accelerated atrophy seemed to persist until later stages, whereas striatal atrophy occurred in PD subjects with PD(E) (p = 0.021 for putamen, p = 0.005 for caudate) and PD(M) (p = 0.002 for putamen, p = 0.001 for caudate) that significantly slowed down in PD(L) (ps for PD(L) vs PD(E) or PD(M): <0.01). The pattern of GM loss in PD differs in cortical and subcortical regions, with striatal atrophy occurring earlier and extra-striatal cortical atrophy later.

Is excessive daytime sleepiness a separate manifestation in Parkinson's disease?

BACKGROUND

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is common in Parkinson's disease (PD), but its role and relation to other PD features is less well understood.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate potential predictors of EDS in PD and to explore how EDS relates to other motor and non-motor PD features.

METHODS

118 consecutive persons with PD (54% men; mean age, 64) were assessed regarding EDS using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and a range of motor and non-motor symptoms. Variables significantly associated with ESS scores in bivariate analyses were used in multiple regression analyses with ESS scores as the dependent variable. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to explore the interrelationships between ESS scores and other motor and non-motor PD aspects.

RESULTS

Among 114 persons with complete ESS data, significant independent associations were found between ESS scores and axial/postural/gait impairment, depressive symptoms, and pain (R2, 0.199). ESS scores did not load significantly together with any other PD features in the PCA.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a limited proportion of the variation in EDS could be accounted for by other symptoms, and EDS did not cluster together with any other PD features in PCAs. This suggests that EDS is a separate manifestation differing from, for example, poor sleep quality and fatigue.

Multimodal imaging evaluation of excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson's disease

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The multimodal imaging investigation of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in Parkinson's disease (PD). The role of dopaminergic treatment and other clinical parameters was also evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventeen non-demented PD patients with EDS (PD-EDS) and 17 PD patients without EDS were enrolled. Clinical, treatment and MRI data were acquired. Gray matter (GM) volume was examined with voxel-based morphometry, while white matter (WM) integrity was assessed with diffusion tensor imaging by means of fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity measures.

RESULTS

Increased regional GM volume was found in the PD-EDS group bilaterally in the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyri. Increased AD values were also shown in the PD-EDS group, in the left anterior thalamic radiation and the corticospinal tract and bilaterally in the superior corona radiata and the superior longitudinal fasciculus. Levodopa equivalent dose differed significantly between the groups and was the only predictor of EDS, while the only predictor of the Epworth sleepiness scale score in the PD-EDS group was the dopamine-agonist dose. Increased frequency of gamblers was also observed in the PD-EDS group.

CONCLUSIONS

Regional GM increases and increased AD values in certain WM tracts were found in the PD-EDS group. The changes could result from disinhibited signaling pathways or represent compensatory changes in response to anatomical or functional deficits elsewhere. The study findings support also the contribution of the total dopaminergic load in the development of EDS, while the dose of dopamine agonists was found to predict the severity of the disorder.

Psychiatric issues in cognitive impairment

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as depression, hallucinations and apathy commonly occur in Parkinson's disease (PD) and have major clinical consequences including a negative impact on quality of life. This review discusses the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic procedures and treatment issues of NPS in PD and related disorders in the perspective of cognitive impairment, focusing on depression, anxiety, visual hallucinations, apathy, sleep disturbances, impulse control disorder and non-motor fluctuations. The majority of NPS are more common in PD patients with dementia, possibly related to shared underlying pathologies. Recent studies also suggest that NPS are associated with mild cognitive impairment in PD, in particular with the amnestic type. Accurate diagnosis of NPS is important but can be difficult, due to overlapping symptoms and similar appearance of symptoms of motor symptoms of parkinsonism, cognitive impairment, mood disorders and apathy. There are few systematic studies focusing on the management of NPS in PD with cognitive impairment.

Structural brain abnormalities in patients with Parkinson's disease with visual hallucinations: a comparative voxel-based analysis

The objective is to evaluate clinical characteristics and cerebral alterations in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with diurnal visual hallucinations (VHs). Assessment was performed using magnetic resonance image (MRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Thirty-nine patients with PD (53.8%) and ten controls were studied. Voxel based morphology analysis was performed. Eleven patients presented diurnal VHs and among these, six had cognitive dysfunction. Patients with VHs performed worse in the mentation-related UPDRS I (p=0.005) and motor-related UPDRS III (p=0.02). Patients with VHs showed significant clusters of reduced grey matter volume compared to controls in the left opercula frontal gyrus and left superior frontal gyrus. PD without hallucinations demonstrated reduced grey matter volume in the left superior frontal gyrus compared to controls. Comparisons between patients with VHs regarding the presence of cognitive dysfunction showed that cases with cognitive dysfunction as compared to those without cognitive dysfunction showed significant clusters of reduced grey matter volume in the left opercular frontal gyrus. Cases without cognitive dysfunction had reduced grey matter substance in the left insula and left trigonal frontal gyrus. Judging from our findings, an abnormal frontal cortex, particularly left sided insula, frontal opercular, trigonal frontal gyrus and orbital frontal would make PD patients vulnerable to hallucinations. Compromise of the left operculum distinguished cases with VHs and cognitive dysfunction. Our findings reinforce the theoretical concept of a top-down visual processing in the genesis of VHs in PD.

Aging induced endoplasmic reticulum stress alters sleep and sleep homeostasis

Alterations in the quality, quantity, and architecture of baseline and recovery sleep have been shown to occur during aging. Sleep deprivation induces endoplasmic reticular (ER) stress and upregulates a protective signaling pathway termed the unfolded protein response. The effectiveness of the adaptive unfolded protein response is diminished by age. Previously, we showed that endogenous chaperone levels altered recovery sleep in Drosophila melanogaster. We now report that acute administration of the chemical chaperone sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) reduces ER stress and ameliorates age-associated sleep changes in Drosophila. PBA consolidates both baseline and recovery sleep in aging flies. The behavioral modifications of PBA are linked to its suppression of ER stress. PBA decreased splicing of X-box binding protein 1 and upregulation of phosphorylated elongation initiation factor 2 α, in flies that were subjected to sleep deprivation. We also demonstrate that directly activating ER stress in young flies fragments baseline sleep and alters recovery sleep. Alleviating prolonged or sustained ER stress during aging contributes to sleep consolidation and improves recovery sleep or sleep debt discharge.

Cortical and subcortical brain atrophy in Parkinson's disease with visual hallucination

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the cortical and subcortical brain structures in Parkinson's disease (PD) with visual hallucination (VH), and to elucidate the association between the proposed hypothesis of VH in PD and regional brain volume changes.

METHODS

We used 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to investigate the brain structures of PD patients with VH (PD-VH; n = 13) and PD patients without VH (PD-C; n = 13).

RESULTS

The PD-VH patients showed significant cortical atrophy compared to the PD-C patients in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left rostral region of the prefrontal cortex, left ventral section of the cingulate cortex, bilateral primary visual cortex, and secondary visual cortex including the left inferior occipital gyrus, right lingual cortex, right supramarginal gyrus, and left fusiform gyrus. Significant subcortical atrophic changes were observed in the white matter of the right parahippocampal gyrus, the bilateral posterior part of the cingulate gyrus, the left lingual gyrus, and the right middle occipital gyrus.

CONCLUSIONS

VH in PD can occur due to distinctive neuroanatomical involvement.