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Steiner L, Muri R, Wijesinghe D, Jann K, Maissen-Abgottspon S, Radojewski P, Pospieszny K, Kreis R, Kiefer C, Hochuli M, Trepp R, Everts R. Cerebral blood flow and white matter alterations in adults with phenylketonuria. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 41:103550. [PMID: 38091797 PMCID: PMC10716784 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phenylketonuria (PKU) represents a congenital metabolic defect that disrupts the process of converting phenylalanine (Phe) into tyrosine. Earlier investigations have revealed diminished cognitive performance and changes in brain structure and function (including the presence of white matter lesions) among individuals affected by PKU. However, there exists limited understanding regarding cerebral blood flow (CBF) and its potential associations with cognition, white matter lesions, and metabolic parameters in patients with PKU, which we therefore aimed to investigate in this study. METHOD Arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI was performed to measure CBF in 30 adults with early-treated classical PKU (median age 35.5 years) and 59 healthy controls (median age 30.0 years). For all participants, brain Phe levels were measured with 1H spectroscopy, and white matter lesions were rated by two neuroradiologists on T2 weighted images. White matter integrity was examined with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). For patients only, concurrent plasma Phe levels were assessed after an overnight fasting period. Furthermore, past Phe levels were collected to estimate historical metabolic control. On the day of the MRI, each participant underwent a cognitive assessment measuring IQ and performance in executive functions, attention, and processing speed. RESULTS No significant group difference was observed in global CBF between patients and controls (F (1, 87) = 3.81, p = 0.054). Investigating CBF on the level of cerebral arterial territories, reduced CBF was observed in the left middle and posterior cerebral artery (MCA and PCA), with the most prominent reduction of CBF in the anterior subdivision of the MCA (F (1, 87) = 6.15, p = 0.015, surviving FDR correction). White matter lesions in patients were associated with cerebral blood flow reduction in the affected structure. Particularly, patients with lesions in the occipital lobe showed significant CBF reductions in the left PCA (U = 352, p = 0.013, surviving FDR correction). Additionally, axial diffusivity measured with DTI was positively associated with CBF in the ACA and PCA (surviving FDR correction). Cerebral blood flow did not correlate with cognitive performance or metabolic parameters. CONCLUSION The relationship between cerebral blood flow and white matter indicates a complex interplay between vascular health and white matter alterations in patients with PKU. It highlights the importance of considering a multifactorial model when investigating the impact of PKU on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Steiner
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland; Division of Neuropaediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Raphaela Muri
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland; Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dilmini Wijesinghe
- Laboratory of Functional MRI Technology (LOFT), Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Kay Jann
- Laboratory of Functional MRI Technology (LOFT), Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Stephanie Maissen-Abgottspon
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Piotr Radojewski
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katarzyna Pospieszny
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roland Kreis
- Magnetic Resonance Methodology, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claus Kiefer
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michel Hochuli
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roman Trepp
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Regula Everts
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland; Division of Neuropaediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerland; Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, Bern, Switzerland.
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Yeo XY, Chae WR, Lee HU, Bae HG, Pettersson S, Grandjean J, Han W, Jung S. Nuanced contribution of gut microbiome in the early brain development of mice. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2283911. [PMID: 38010368 PMCID: PMC10768743 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2283911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex symbiotic relationship between the mammalian body and gut microbiome plays a critical role in the health outcomes of offspring later in life. The gut microbiome modulates virtually all physiological functions through direct or indirect interactions to maintain physiological homeostasis. Previous studies indicate a link between maternal/early-life gut microbiome, brain development, and behavioral outcomes relating to social cognition. Here we present direct evidence of the role of the gut microbiome in brain development. Through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we investigated the impact of the gut microbiome on brain organization and structure using germ-free (GF) mice and conventionalized mice, with the gut microbiome reintroduced after weaning. We found broad changes in brain volume in GF mice that persist despite the reintroduction of gut microbes at weaning. These data suggest a direct link between the maternal gut or early-postnatal microbe and their impact on brain developmental programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yi Yeo
- Lab of Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Woo Ri Chae
- Lab of Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Ung Lee
- National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore Health Services, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Han-Gyu Bae
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Sven Pettersson
- National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore Health Services, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medical Sciences, Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Joanes Grandjean
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Weiping Han
- Lab of Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sangyong Jung
- Lab of Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
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De Giorgi A, Nardecchia F, Manti F, Campistol J, Leuzzi V. Neuroimaging in early-treated phenylketonuria patients and clinical outcome: A systematic review. Mol Genet Metab 2023; 139:107588. [PMID: 37149991 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2023.107588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Lacking direct neuropathological data, neuroimaging exploration has become the most powerful tool to give insight into pathophysiological alterations of early-treated PKU (ETPKU) patients. We conducted a systematic review of neuroimaging studies in ETPKU patients to explore 1) the occurrence of consistent neuroimaging alterations; 2) the relationship between them and neurological and cognitive disorders; 3) the contribution of neuroimaging in the insight of neuropathological background of ETPKU subjects; 4) whether brain neuroimaging may provide additional information in the monitoring of the disease course. Thirty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria for the full-text review, including morphological T1/T2 sequences, diffusion brain imaging (DWI/DTI) studies, brain MRI volumetric, functional neuroimaging studies, neurotransmission and brain energetic imaging studies. Non-progressive brain white matter changes were the most frequent and precocious alterations. As confirmed in hundreds of young adults with ETPKU, they affect over 90% of ETPKU patients. Consistent correlations are emerging between microstructural alteration (as detected by DWI/DTI) and metabolic control, which have also been confirmed in a few interventional trials. Volumetric studies detected later and less consistent cortical and subcortical grey matter alterations, which seem to be influenced by the patient's age and metabolic control. The few functional neuroimaging studies so far showed preliminary but interesting data about cortical activation patterns, skill performance, and brain connectivity. Further research is mandatory in these more complex areas. Recurrent methodological limitations include restricted sample sizes concerning the clinical variability of the disease, large age-range, variable measures of metabolic control, and prevalence of cross-sectional rather than longitudinal interventional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese De Giorgi
- Division of Child Neurology and Infantile Psychiatry, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Nardecchia
- Division of Child Neurology and Infantile Psychiatry, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Manti
- Division of Child Neurology and Infantile Psychiatry, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Jaume Campistol
- Neuropaediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Leuzzi
- Division of Child Neurology and Infantile Psychiatry, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Cognitive Functioning in Adults with Phenylketonuria in a Cohort of Spanish Patients. Behav Neurol 2023; 2023:9681740. [PMID: 36815863 PMCID: PMC9931468 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9681740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The early introduction of a low phenylalanine (Phe) diet has been demonstrated to be the most successful treatment in subjects with phenylketonuria (PKU), especially for preventing severe cognitive and neurological damages. However, it still concerns that even if treated in the first months of life with supplements and following a diet, they can show slight scores below people without PKU in neuropsychological assignments. We investigated 20 adults with classical PKU aged 19-48 years (mean age 29 years) and 20 heathy controls matched by age, gender, and years of education. Patients and controls were assessed with an extended neuropsychological battery, as well as psychological aspects and quality of life, also the last Phe level result was obtained. Results showed that the most affected cognitive domains are processing speed, executive functioning, memory, and also theory of mind, but very well-preserved verbal fluency, language, and visuospatial functioning. In quality of life, some significant results were seen specially in anxiety of Phe levels, anxiety of Phe levels during pregnancy, guilt if poor adherence to supplements, and if dietary protein restriction not followed. No significant results were obtained for the psychological variables. In conclusion, it has been shown that a combination of a low Phe diet, supplement intake, and keeping Phe levels in a low range seems appropriate to have the most normal and alike cognitive performance to persons without PKU.
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Li H, Yang H, Li M, Liang L, Zhu H, Chen A, Qian H. Mild hyperphenylalaninemia (hpa) presenting as orthostatic tremor: a case report. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:409. [PMCID: PMC9635091 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02946-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Orthostatic tremor (OT) is a type of postural tremor of the lower extremities that has not been described in either phenylketonuria (PKU) or hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA). Because little is known about the clinical features and therapeutic responses of OT in mild HPA, we describe a mild HPA patient who presented with OT as an initial symptom.
Case presentation
A 22-year-old male was admitted for bilateral leg tremor while standing, with symptom onset eight months prior. One month before admission, the tremor disappeared in the left leg but persisted in the right leg. Electromyography recorded from the right gastrocnemius revealed a 6–8 Hz tremor, which appeared when the patient was standing and disappeared when he was resting or walking. Blood screening showed a phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio of 2.06 and a phenylalanine level of 140 μmol/L. Urine metabolic screening was negative. Whole-exome sequencing confirmed the presence of a compound heterozygous mutation, c.158G > A and c.728G > A, in phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. After three months of levodopa/benserazide tablets (250 mg, tid) and a low-phenylalanine diet treatment, the tremor disappeared.
Conclusions
Young-onset mild HPA is a relatively rare autosomal recessive metabolic disease, and slow OT is a rare clinical feature. Metabolic screening and genetic testing are the keys to early diagnosis and treatment. For adolescents and young adults, appropriate medication and long-term dietary therapy remain important treatments. This case expanded the disease spectrum of slow OT.
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Muri R, Maissen‐Abgottspon S, Rummel C, Rebsamen M, Wiest R, Hochuli M, Jansma BM, Trepp R, Everts R. Cortical thickness and its relationship to cognitive performance and metabolic control in adults with phenylketonuria. J Inherit Metab Dis 2022; 45:1082-1093. [PMID: 36117142 PMCID: PMC9827942 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite good control of phenylalanine (Phe) levels during childhood and adolescence, adults with phenylketonuria (PKU) often show abnormalities in the white matter of the brain, which have been associated with poorer cognitive performance. However, whether such a relationship exists with cortical gray matter is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated cortical thickness and surface area in adults with early-treated PKU and their relationship to cognitive functions and metabolic control. We included 30 adult patients with early-treated and metabolically well-controlled PKU (median age: 35.5 years) and 54 healthy controls (median age: 29.3 years). Surface-based morphometry was derived from T1-weighted magnetic resonance images using FreeSurfer, and general intelligence, executive functions, and attention were assessed. Concurrent plasma Phe, tyrosine, and tryptophan levels were measured in patients. In addition, Phe levels were collected retrospectively to calculate the index of dietary control. Patients showed a thinner cortex than controls in regions of the bilateral temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes (effect size r = -0.34 to -0.42, p < 0.05). No group differences in surface area were found. In patients, accuracy in the working memory task was positively correlated with thickness in the left insula (r = 0.45, p = 0.013), left fusiform gyrus (r = 0.39, p = 0.032), and right superior temporal gyrus (r = 0.41, p = 0.024), but did not survive false discovery rate correction. Neither concurrent nor historical metabolic parameters were related to cortical thickness. Taken together, adults with PKU showed widespread reductions in cortical thickness despite good metabolic control in childhood and adolescence. However, alterations in cortical thickness were unrelated to metabolic parameters and cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaela Muri
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and MetabolismInselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of BernBernSwitzerland
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN)University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University HospitalBernSwitzerland
- Graduate School for Health SciencesUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC)Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial MedicineBernSwitzerland
| | - Stephanie Maissen‐Abgottspon
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and MetabolismInselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of BernBernSwitzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC)Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial MedicineBernSwitzerland
| | - Christian Rummel
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN)University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University HospitalBernSwitzerland
| | - Michael Rebsamen
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN)University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University HospitalBernSwitzerland
| | - Roland Wiest
- Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN)University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University HospitalBernSwitzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC)Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial MedicineBernSwitzerland
| | - Michel Hochuli
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and MetabolismInselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Bernadette M. Jansma
- Department of Cognitive NeuroscienceMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtThe Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Center (M‐BIC)MaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Roman Trepp
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and MetabolismInselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Regula Everts
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and MetabolismInselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of BernBernSwitzerland
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC)Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial MedicineBernSwitzerland
- Neuropediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, InselspitalBern University Hospital, University of BernBernSwitzerland
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A comprehensive assessment of neurocognitive and psychological functioning in adults with early-treated phenylketonuria. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2022:1-10. [PMID: 36134437 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617722000686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Relative to youth with early-treated phenylketonuria (ETPKU), much less is known regarding the cognitive profile of adults with ETPKU. The present study aimed to address this gap by providing a comprehensive assessment of neuropsychological functioning among adults with ETPKU. METHOD A sample of 40 adults with ETPKU (ages 18 - 36) and a demographically matched group of 32 healthy individuals without PKU participated. Participants completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including the NIH Toolbox, Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence - Second Edition (WASI-II), Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT-3), select subtests from the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) as well as several self-report measures of cognitive and psychoemotional functioning. Scores from these tests were combined to create cognitive composites reflecting overall task performance in the areas of verbal ability, visuospatial skills, executive functioning, motor skills, and processing speed. RESULTS No group differences were observed for full scale IQ or verbal ability. However, individuals with ETPKU demonstrated poorer performance on measures of executive functioning, processing speed, motor skills, and visuospatial skills as compared to the non-PKU group. Within the ETPKU group, recent blood phenylalanine levels (an indicator of metabolic control) were significantly correlated with performance across most cognitive domains and aspects of psychological functioning. CONCLUSIONS Present findings suggest that the neuropsychological profile of adult ETPKU is characterized by circumscribed impairments in select cognitive domains. In addition, the results underscore the importance of maintaining metabolic control across the lifespan in individuals with ETPKU.
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