Advances in imaging of brain abnormalities in neuromuscular disease.
Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2019;
12:1756286419845567. [PMID:
31105770 PMCID:
PMC6503605 DOI:
10.1177/1756286419845567]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain atrophy, white matter abnormalities, and ventricular enlargement have been
described in different neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). We aimed to provide a
comprehensive overview of the substantial advancement of brain imaging in
neuromuscular diseases by consulting the main libraries (Pubmed,
Scopus and Google Scholar) including the more
common forms of muscular dystrophies such as dystrophinopathies,
dystroglycanopathies, myotonic dystrophies, facioscapulohumeral dystrophy,
limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, congenital myotonia, and congenital myopathies.
A consistent, widespread cortical and subcortical involvement of grey and white
matter was found. Abnormalities in the functional connectivity in brain networks
and metabolic alterations were observed with positron emission tomography (PET)
and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Pathological brain
changes with cognitive dysfunction seemed to be frequently associated in NMDs.
In particular, in congenital muscular dystrophies (CMDs), skeletal muscular
weakness, severe hypotonia, WM abnormalities, ventricular dilatation and
abnormalities in cerebral gyration were observed.
In dystroglycanopathy 2I subtype (LGMD2I), adult patients showed subcortical
atrophy and a WM periventricular involvement, moderate ventriculomegaly, and
enlargement of subarachnoid spaces. Correlations with clinical features have
been observed with brain imaging characteristics and alterations were prominent
in congenital or childhood onset cases. In myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2)
symptoms seem to be less severe than in type 1 (DM1).
In Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD, BMD) cortical atrophy is
associated with minimal ventricular dilatation and WM abnormalities.
Late-onset glycogenosis type II (GSD II) or Pompe infantile forms are
characterized by delayed myelination. Only in a few cases of oculopharyngeal
muscular dystrophy (OPMD) central nervous system involvement has been described
and associated with executive functions impairment.
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